Go a Trip to Gopalaswamy Betta
By Isaac Nathaniel

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, is a hill located in the Chamarajanagar district at a height of 1450m and is extensively wooded. It is also the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. It lies in the core area of the Bandipur National Park and is frequented by wild life including elephants. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year and thus gets the prefix Himavad(in the native language of Kannada) and the temple of Venugopalaswamy (Lord Krishna) gives the full name of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.

It is approximately 220 km from Bangalore and 75 km from Mysore on the Mysore Ooty road -10 km away from Gundlupet, which is 60 km away from Mysore. There is a motorable road all the way to the top of the hill. Entry fee is collected at the forest department checkpost at foot of the hill. Entry fee has been revised w.e.f. Feb 01 2011. Entry fee is flat 100 Rs. You have to report back at the entrance after 1 hour. Visitors are allowed from around 8:30am till 5pm.

Overnight stay on top is not allowed. Trekking and videography in the surrounding hills are allowed only with prior permission and to be accompanied by the forest department guides.

There is a forest department guest house at the top of the picturesque hill, which can be reserved in advance through the forest office in Mysore or Bandipur. The guest house provides basic accommodation, food and other essentials should be brought along by visitors. (Source : Wiki)

Things to be noted

• You should reach the hills with the sun, to see the himavat clouds!

• You should made full day to spend on the hills!

• You can visit in the peak of summer, for a cooler experience!

• The place will calm and quiet. The temple is cool and famous for those praying for children.

• You can spend hours walking around and trekking. The trek is quite easy, more of walking up and down.

The Route

The route, especially after you pass Gundulpet, looks isolated. Life as usual around the hills you can see people going about their daily business, but not too many of them. There are quite a few scenic places on the way, including sunflower fields and long road stretches with trees on either sides.