Follow me on this adventurous solo ride to Kodachadri hills, Hidlumane falls, and some offbeat places in Shimoga.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost
Hi friends,
Welcome to another blog post about my another unplanned journey, with no bookings, no pre-planning whatsoever! Just riding away into the wilderness!
This solo trip was coming after a long gap of 8-9 months, so I was a bit more excited for what would unfold! A lot of times I get asked by people, Why solo? How do I feel on a solo trek, and how do I not get bored. Well, when I first went solo, it was because people backed out and I was in no mood to let it go. And from then on, I have been traveling solo, and I have found peace in my solitude.
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| In the beginning, it was all black and white! |
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| In solitude, I find my answers - Kristen Butler |
Day 1: Bangalore - Shimoga (315 km - 7 hours)
I started this day a bit late, as I intended to ride slow and had no fixed destination in mind. I had thought of visiting Jog Falls since it was bustling with water when I last heard. I took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference. Instead of taking the Asian highway, I took another highway which made the difference.
Since it was the first day of Ganesha festival, I witnessed many processions along the journey. Some grand, some simple yet elegant ways of welcoming Ganesha were witnessed today. This cost me a couple of extra hours to reach Shimoga. But it was the best decision I made as I witness some of the most beautiful scenes on this offbeat journey.
I received some vital information about Jog Falls, that the water levels had reduced considerably. So instead, I opened up Google Maps to explore my options. I was mainly looking for some offbeat destinations, and something caught my attention. I noticed that a road through the green jungle patches stopped abruptly at Holebagilu. On zooming on it further, I found that the ferry from that point would carry all the vehicles to the other side. I was excited.
The road to Holebagilu was a decent one, with a couple of villages along the road. I love these beautiful village roads more than the highways, for these village roads have a unique feel to it. I was at Holebagilu in a couple of hours, and I waited there for about 20 minutes for the ferry to arrive from the other end. One thing which added to my advantage was that two-wheelers had direct access to the ferry terminal, unlike the four-wheelers, which had to wait in the queue to get to the terminal.
READ ALSO: Dream ride to Leh Ladakh
The ferry ride experience was one of a kind. Even the buses along with passengers and cars and bikes were put onto the ferry. It was a bit crowded, but I slid towards the railing to get a clear view and capture some pictures. I could see blue waters all around, the green trees approaching as the ferry moved towards the other end.
I learned about a very popular temple at Sigandoor and visited it since I had come so far. It was a hot afternoon, and humidity was a bit too much to handle. I still had no idea where to go next. After a quick visit to the temple, I searched and found a homestay in Google Maps, which was around 50-60 km away from Sigandoor.
READ ALSO: Why did I cry at the Rupin Pass Summit
The journey from Sigandoor was serene. There were hardly any vehicles on the road, and one could clearly tell the purity in the village air which you don't get in the cities. Occasionally I would find the village kids playing marbles on the road, spending their childhood like the 90s kids did. A village life is definitely off the grid, not much technology still living their lives in peace.
2 hours later into the ride, I saw a few vehicles (Jeep) with "Kodachadri" written over them. It was the Jeep stand, from where the vehicles would take you to very close to the Kodachadri peak, and from where you could trek further 2 km to reach Sarvagna Peetha Shankaracharya Temple, which is the peak of the Kodachadri hills.
I stayed at a nearby homestay with very basic facilities and took the Jeep ride as it was late already, and I was too tired to ride again. The jeep ride towards the peak was bumpy and equally exciting! The driver stopped at a couple of places for me and other people in the jeep to enjoy and click some photos. On reaching the end of the motorable road, I was told that the peak is further 2 km away. I thought for a while if I should really climb up. But it was the sunset time, and how could I miss it?
READ ALSO: Solo ride to Sirsi, Yana, Thirthalli
That 2 km trek seemed easy. It was a nice pleasant trek with mesmerizing views. The best view was when I could see my shadow on the mist.
So, I just turn around to see how dark it was, (coz I had to head back to the jeep before it gets dark) I see this very particular scene in front of me. When I saw this, what looks to be my shadow and the cute little circular rainbow 🌈 around it, I did not believe it. It felt like I was hallucinating. But then I moved my arms, then my legs and I was literally dancing there! Then when I realized I was indeed not high, just at the right moment, I decided to take out my camera and capture this very thing!!
Since it was the first day of Ganesha festival, I witnessed many processions along the journey. Some grand, some simple yet elegant ways of welcoming Ganesha were witnessed today. This cost me a couple of extra hours to reach Shimoga. But it was the best decision I made as I witness some of the most beautiful scenes on this offbeat journey.
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| Train by the mountains |
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| A lake at Arsikere, on the way to Shimoga |
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| Sunset as seen from the highway |
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| Sunset on the way |
Day 2: Shimoga City - Holebagilu - Ferry ride - Sigandoor - Kodachadri
I received some vital information about Jog Falls, that the water levels had reduced considerably. So instead, I opened up Google Maps to explore my options. I was mainly looking for some offbeat destinations, and something caught my attention. I noticed that a road through the green jungle patches stopped abruptly at Holebagilu. On zooming on it further, I found that the ferry from that point would carry all the vehicles to the other side. I was excited.
The road to Holebagilu was a decent one, with a couple of villages along the road. I love these beautiful village roads more than the highways, for these village roads have a unique feel to it. I was at Holebagilu in a couple of hours, and I waited there for about 20 minutes for the ferry to arrive from the other end. One thing which added to my advantage was that two-wheelers had direct access to the ferry terminal, unlike the four-wheelers, which had to wait in the queue to get to the terminal.
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| Freedom! |
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| Holebagilu - Sigandoor ferry |
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| Water water everywhere |
READ ALSO: Dream ride to Leh Ladakh
The ferry ride experience was one of a kind. Even the buses along with passengers and cars and bikes were put onto the ferry. It was a bit crowded, but I slid towards the railing to get a clear view and capture some pictures. I could see blue waters all around, the green trees approaching as the ferry moved towards the other end.
I learned about a very popular temple at Sigandoor and visited it since I had come so far. It was a hot afternoon, and humidity was a bit too much to handle. I still had no idea where to go next. After a quick visit to the temple, I searched and found a homestay in Google Maps, which was around 50-60 km away from Sigandoor.
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| A big arch at the Sigandoor entrance |
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| Another one with my bike |
READ ALSO: Why did I cry at the Rupin Pass Summit
The journey from Sigandoor was serene. There were hardly any vehicles on the road, and one could clearly tell the purity in the village air which you don't get in the cities. Occasionally I would find the village kids playing marbles on the road, spending their childhood like the 90s kids did. A village life is definitely off the grid, not much technology still living their lives in peace.
2 hours later into the ride, I saw a few vehicles (Jeep) with "Kodachadri" written over them. It was the Jeep stand, from where the vehicles would take you to very close to the Kodachadri peak, and from where you could trek further 2 km to reach Sarvagna Peetha Shankaracharya Temple, which is the peak of the Kodachadri hills.
I stayed at a nearby homestay with very basic facilities and took the Jeep ride as it was late already, and I was too tired to ride again. The jeep ride towards the peak was bumpy and equally exciting! The driver stopped at a couple of places for me and other people in the jeep to enjoy and click some photos. On reaching the end of the motorable road, I was told that the peak is further 2 km away. I thought for a while if I should really climb up. But it was the sunset time, and how could I miss it?
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| The homestay I stayed at |
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| Among the clouds |
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| Thrilling jeep ride! |
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| On the way to the peak |
READ ALSO: Solo ride to Sirsi, Yana, Thirthalli
That 2 km trek seemed easy. It was a nice pleasant trek with mesmerizing views. The best view was when I could see my shadow on the mist.
 |
| Best picture of the trip |
So, I just turn around to see how dark it was, (coz I had to head back to the jeep before it gets dark) I see this very particular scene in front of me. When I saw this, what looks to be my shadow and the cute little circular rainbow 🌈 around it, I did not believe it. It felt like I was hallucinating. But then I moved my arms, then my legs and I was literally dancing there! Then when I realized I was indeed not high, just at the right moment, I decided to take out my camera and capture this very thing!!
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| Shankaracharya Peetha at the peak |
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| Sunset scenes from the peak |
Day 3: Kodachadri - Kumble - Hidlumane Falls - Nittur Hanging Bridge - Bangalore
On recommendation from the local people, I planned a ride to Hidlumane, from where I would trek to Hidlumane Falls. The road from Kumble to Hidlumane was terrible; in fact, it was just stones, mud and gravel. It was painful, and there were so many ways diverged into the woods. I asked for directions whenever I found one or two people. and otherwise trusted my gut feeling and took the road I felt was right. In the end, when I reached Hidlumane my bum was busted!
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| Hidlumane - trek to the falls starts from here |
READ ALSO: Why did I cry at the Rupin Pass Summit
It was time, I leave for the Hidlumane falls. I was about to leave and I saw a group arriving at the Hidlumane. Since even they were going for the falls, I joined them. It was a good company. We chatted all along the way to the falls. In a short span, we discussed so many topics from corporate to politics, etc. It was good to find people on that 2 km trek.
The trail started behind the Hidlumane with welcoming green paddy fields! Such a great sight to begin with, I thought. As we trekked further into the woods, we found streams coming from the falls. It was a simple yet beautiful trek with a couple of streams, a few slippery rocks which we crossed cautiously. In the end, we were out of the woods and there we see the water falling from the top making this sound, which soothed my soul after a long time. It was serene.
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| Paddy fields everywhere!😍 |
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| Panoramic view of the paddy fields |
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| The trail to the Hidlumane falls |
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| Hidlumane falls - Isn't it soothing even to just look at it? |
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| Inner peace!😇 |
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| Made some new friends |
I returned from the falls in the same way, while my new friends continued towards the peak. I still had time left on the clock, so I rode to Nittur Hanging Bridge which is about 4-5 km away from the main road. I was tired of seeing such pathetic muddy village roads, but I had no choice. After a bum wrecking ride of 30 minutes and 5km later, I see this beautiful lonely suspension bridge with calm blue waters all around.
It was so calm and serene. I was looking for a place like this, and it was finally here. I spent about 2-3 hours at this very place, trying different things with my camera and spending some quality time alone, which was much necessary!
READ ALSO: My first Himalayan Trek
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| Selfie on the Nittur Hanging Bridge |
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| One with my bike! |
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| Trying different perspectives |
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| Happy me!! |
Have you ever felt so happy, that you felt so content with it? Something similar happened to me after this. I still had an extra day to travel. But I was so happy with it, that I planned to wrap my trip and drive back home, which was 450km away. Finally, after an unforgettable, scary drive of 9-10 hours, I step foot on home, where my bed and pillow was waiting for a good night's sleep.
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| Captured on the way home |
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