8 Incredible One-Day Trips To Take From Bangalore

Local trips, especially day trips, give you the freedom to use your own vehicle or hire a vacation rental that you can disinfect yourself. Travelling locally is also a budget-friendly way of fitting in more opportunities to travel, especially if you work full-time. So if you want to take a break from ‘staying in’, plan carefully while maintaining state guidelines pick from one of these one-day trips from Bangalore. Whether you choose to make it a long weekend or just a day-long break, these easy destinations are just a drive away, a welcome break from the humdrum of everyday routine and a chance to explore culture and nature.

Also Read: 11 Ways To Be A Better Traveller Post Lockdown

Day Trips from Bangalore That Will Help You Keep The Spirit Of Travel Alive

1. Visit The Silk Town And Silk City Ramanagara

Distance from Bangalore: 50 km

Made famous by its appearance as the fictional village of Ramgarh in the iconic Hindi movie, ‘Sholay’, Ramanagara is an ideal adrenaline rush of a one-day trip from Bangalore. As the area is dotted with huge rocks, boulders, and caves, it’s a haven for adventure activities such as trekking, cave exploration, rappelling and other rocky adventure sports. Ramanagara is also home to many temples and several bird species, like the yellow-throated bulbul, the Egyptian vulture and the long-billed vulture.

2. Visit The Ancient Hill Fortress: Nandi Hills

Distance From Bangalore: 60 km

An all-time favourite amongst locals, Nandi Hills is an idyllic quick escape from the city. This is also one of the shortest one-day trips from Bangalore as it can be covered in an hour or so. However, the best time to visit is early morning, to soak in breathtaking views of the sunrise. Nandi Hills sits at a height of 4,851 feet above sea level and is known for its religious sites as well as its historical structures. Visit the Nandi, Yoganandeeshwar and Nandishwara temples, along with Nehru Nilaya, an excellent hill fortress that boasts typical British architecture. Don’t forget to check out Tipu’s Drop, a 600-metre high spot that offers a panoramic view of the city. For adrenaline junkies, Nandi Hills also offers a range of activities like paragliding, trekking and biking.

3. The Kashi Of South India: Antaragange

Distance from Bangalore: 68 km

This day trip from Bangalore will just take an hour and a half to reach. Located in the Kolar district of Karnataka in the Shathashrunga range, Anthargange is a trekker’s delight. The name Anthargange translates to ‘inner stream’ or ‘Ganges from the deep’ in Kannada. There are beautiful temples here, such as the fascinating Shiva temple at Kotilingeshwara (it has one crore Shiva linga). There are also small ancient caves, dense plantations, and hills made of boulders and volcanic rock. Those looking for an adventurous day trip from Bangalore will find this an indulgent place to revel in spelunking, trekking and rock climbing.

4. Go On An Amazing Sunrise Trek: Skandagiri Hills

Distance From Bangalore: 70 km

Also known as Kalwarbetta or Kalavara Durga, Skandagiri is a hill town situated within an hour’s drive of Bangalore. It is located at an elevation of 1,450 metres, and is home to the ruins of Tipu Sultan’s fortress. Although a great day trip from Bangalore, Skandagiri is also popular for overnight treks, as the peak offers spectacular views of the sunrise. Drove up to Papagni Temple, but from this point, you have to make a steep climb to reach the peak. As you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the serene Nandi Hills and the nearby villages.

5. Explore Exotic Wildlife: Bheemeshwari

Distance from Bangalore: 105 km

This small town is located on the banks of the Kaveri River in the Mandya district of Karnataka and is known for its diverse fishing camps like Mekedatu, Sangam and Kokrebellur Pelicanry. Known for its serene beauty, enhanced by the surrounding wilderness, Bheemeshwari also offers amazing adventure sports such as kayaking, rappelling, zip-lining, trekking and coracle riding. The town’s tranquillity has been a major attraction for the visitors. The lush jungle is covered with a variety of flora and fauna, making it a favourite among adventure fanatics, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

5. Witness Two Picturesque Waterfalls: Shivanasamudra

Distance from Bangalore: 130.9 km

On a one-day road trip from Bangalore, you can visit the two lovely waterfalls Gaganachukki and Barachukki on the Kaveri River. The calm town of Shivanasamudra is primarily the site of hydropower projects but has gained tourist attention for its picturesque setting. The name Shivanasamudra translates to ‘Shiva’s sea’. With its rocky terrain and gushing waterfalls, tourists come here to enjoy the view. This calmness amidst the roar of the cascading waters is infused with subtle hints of spirituality, thanks to the proximity of the Ranganatha temple which also attracts pilgrims.

6. Visit The ‘Niagara Falls Of India’: Hogenakkal Falls

Distance from Bangalore: 135 km

Known as one of the oldest waterfalls in the world, Hogenakkal Waterfalls is located in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Its name translates to “smoky stone” from Tamil, and this is where the Kaveri River splits into multiple streams of waterfalls. Also referred to as the Niagara Falls of India, Hogenakkal has water throughout the year. These waters are said to have medicinal properties. Just a three-hour drive from Bangalore will bring you here, where you get to see carbonite rocks, go on coracle (basket boat) rides, tuck into freshwater fish, and experience famous oil massages.

Also read: 25 of the world’s most famous waterfalls to see

7. Experience Royalty: Mysore

Distance From Bangalore: 160 km

Visit the historic city of Mysore for its grandiose architecture and history. The city’s ornate temples, palaces and gardens can all be discovered in one day, making it one of the most popular one-day trips from Bangalore. Known as one of the top tourist destinations in south India, Mysore, also known as Mysuru, is approximately a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangalore. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the beautiful Ambavilas Palace, the Chamundeshwari Temple, and the Mysore Zoo.

Also read: 20 wonderful places to visit when you’re in Mysore

8. Visit The Seat Of The Hoysala Empire: Hassan

Distance From Bangalore: 182.9 Km

Situated 980 metres above sea level in the Hassan district of Karnataka, Hassan is the oldest city of the Hoysala empire. It was built around the 11th to 13th century and is also known as the temple-architecture capital of Karnataka. The city derives its name from the goddess Hassanamba, which in Kannada means ‘smiling mother’. It is brimming with ancient monuments and intricately carved temples, all of which can be easily explored in a day. Of them, do visit the Shettyhalli Church which was built in the 18th century and is said to be partially immersed in water from July to October.

Ease Back Into Adventure With These One-Day Trips From Bangalore

While domestic travel has re-started in the country, it’s best if you only travel only when absolutely necessary. But if working from home is getting too monotonous and hectic, you can check out the aforementioned places near Bangalore for one-day trips during the weekend. Don’t lose heart yet; keep up the wanderlust with these one-day trips from Bangalore and don’t forget to tell us about them in the comments below!

Also read: 30 exciting weekend road trips to take from Bangalore