Anthargange

It seemed the long run on Saturday was not enough, so we took off early on Sunday morning as well, but this time in a car instead of on foot. We headed towards Anthargange. Supposedly, it is a spring (source of water) which explains the name. We were interested because the place is filled with volcanic rocks and countless caves.

To reach Anthargange (from Bengalooru), get on Old Madras Road and head towards Kolar (which is around 65 km away).

On the way, we saw a beautiful sunrise.

Then we came across a karela field, then a grapes field.

Then, a beautiful flower field.

Just around 10 km before Kolar, stop at Kamat restaurant and have breakfast. When you reach Kolar, ask for directions to Anthargange. Basically you have to take a left turn before the main bus stand, and then just keep going straight. You’ll reach an arch that says Anthargange.

Now, don’t take the steps, dive into the forest and make your own route :)

After a long 4 hours of trekking and lots of false paths, retreats and further trekking, we finally reached the top. What a view.

It was time to get back, but we didn’t want to take the gruelling route that we just took, so we started to look for an easier route. We got lost. We had to plan a way of making sure we reach some sort of civilization, and luckily, we met a cowherd who had got the cows on top of the hill for grazing! That means there should be some easy path, so we asked him for directions and followed it. And we still got lost. So, we charted our own route, and then went zigzagging our way through the forest as quickly and safely as we could. We were elated on reaching flat ground.

Although the hill looked quite small, it really wasn’t.

After getting so many scratches from thorny bushes and cacti, and facing the heat of the sun, and getting lost (literally), jumping down rocks, crawling in crevices of caves, climbing steep rocks, and facing shortage of water and a stomach grumbling for lunch, it was time to head back home. It was a good day.