Trekking in Gokarna

A hill fortress in Karnataka, Nandi Hills is a well known trekking spot that is great for beginners that are looking for a new thrill. The hill is home to Tipu Sultan Fort, a summer retreat that was constructed for the 18th century ruler after whom it was named after. This lovely fort features stone carvings and wall paintings that will delight any history buff.

The sunrise from the Nandi Hills is what attracts many visitors to its summit. To reach its peak, you would need to cover approximately 12000 steps on foot. However, the luxuriant greenery and verdant foliage that overflows on the ground makes it a pleasant hike and time passes by quickly until you emerge at the top.

Take a day trip to these beautiful hills and have an enjoyable trek under the sun.

Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate

Best Time to Visit: September to April (Moderate weather and lush green environment)

Duration: All day long

Distance from Bangalore: 60 km

Highlights: Sunrise View, Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, 1000-year-old sculpture of Nandi, Tipu Drop, Tipu's Summer Residence

Elevation: 4850 feet.

Gokarna is synonymous with mesmerising blue beaches across a broad stretch of white sand. If you are looking for a blissful treat of meditation and spiritual calmness, Gokarna will give you a relaxed holiday.  Dotted with palm trees, coconut trees, clear ocean water and gleaming sand; Gokarna is one postcard image after the other.  

Gokarna is a beach destination but what’s unique about it is that one of the best ways to reach these beaches are to trek here. Trekking in Gokarna either begin at a beach or ends at the beach and proves to be a very satisfying experience. Imagine hiking up a scenic hill to be greeted by the waves when you come down. The treks here are beginner friendly and a perfect way to stay energised throughout your trip.  

Can you think of a better way to explore this rock-cave town than trekking through the beautiful paths? Trekking in Badami will leave you with an immense amount of appreciation for land and nature. Upon reaching the summits, you will be blessed with the view of the forts and temples from the hills.  

The best way to see Badami is undoubtedly to trek up the Northern Hills through the pathway between the rocks. A few of the most popular spots to go trekking in Badami are the Badami Fort, Shivalaya, Temple Caves to Mahakuta and the Bhutanatha Temple. Discover Badami by foot with a water bottle, backpack and camera in hand for the warm and lovely pictures you can remember it by later.  

Trekking in Badami is also beginner friendly and is a good spot to do your first trek. The paths are safe and the land has good grip. You can choose to look at this hike up the hills as a lovely walk in the afternoon or as an adventure jungle trek if you are up for a challenge. Be prepared to encounter more rocks and small, insignificant structures built by the Chalukyans and learn about how the dry forests here can source potential medicine, fruits, gum, fuel, food, fodder and oil yielding plants. There are also a number of rare plants found here like the Purple Witch plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family and Graham’s Groundsel belonging to Compositaea  family.  

Travel tip: Badami is best visited in the months of October-March but are also said to be charming in the months of July-August before the heavy rains start and make the paths unmountable. 

There’s nothing quite like camping near the beach. With smooth, golden sand, blue frothy waves that curl gently and palm trees that wave in the cool ocean breeze; camping at the beach can revitalize your sense of adventure and give you a one-of-a-kind stay experience. 

Gokarna is a quaint town nestled on the western coast of Karnataka. Known as a temple town, this lovely beachside region is perfect for a camping trip near Bangalore. Camping in Gokarna gives you a chance to take a long trek across Kudle Beach, the iconic Om Beach, Paradise Beach and Half Moon Beach. Sprawl out lazily at the beachfront eateries that serve buttery crepes drizzled with thick, sweet chocolate sauce and bananas or soft seafood caught fresh from the sea. 

During the night, camping in Gokarna offers you a night sky lit by the light of a million twinkling sky. You can even warm yourself by a crackling bonfire or send fiery flying lanterns up in the air. 

Make your way to Karnataka’s loveliest beaches and immerse yourself in nature by camping in Gokarna. 

Kayaking is hands down the best way to experience the beaches all on your own. It involves moving through the water in a small water vessel using a double-bladed paddle. It allows the boat driver to manoeuvre through the waterways by propelling ahead with alternating side-to-side paddle strokes. Kayaking was initially used to hunt or fish and is now a popular water sport activity to engage in. This will be most comforting for those that are not as comfortable in water but still want to explore and experience the stunning beaches. Kayaking in Gokarna is especially great for beginners. Not only do they have trained professionals all around to ensure a safe experience, there are also several beaches to experience different currents and views.  

Om Beach and Kudle Beach are the two most popular destinations for kayaking in Gokarna. The SwaSwara Resort Experience is known to offer some of the best kayaking experiences in Gokarna on signing up for stay with them. There are several ways to enjoy this water sport activity. You can embark on a journey to discover the quiet waters at the edge of a lake, beach or even indulge in a thrilling race across the water from one point to the other. Kayaking can add another layer of adventure for travellers when combined with other outdoor activities like fishing or camping. Kayaking in Gokarna is a water sport that features in many stay packages but even if not – it is incredibly easy to go there and sign up.  

If you’re at a beach town like Gokarna, it’s only fair that you wake up to the sight of waves every day. While planning a trip, there are a number of zostels and hotels you can pick from to stay at but choosing a homestay can add a little something to your experience here and generate income for the locals that make visiting Gokarna memorable.  

Gokarna, being the land of beaches calls for an all-round relaxing experience and there is no better option than a homestay. Homestays in Gokarna are unlike any other. Homestays in Gokarna display range. Some offer coconut thatched shacks that are budget friendly and some have luxurious rooms or cottages. Not only do they have lovely window views of the beach; many homestays here also incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly practices. If you are planning a staycation, homestays in Gokarna will be your golden ticket. With the recent influx of tourists and visitors that have been approaching Gokarna, homestays have become the go to option for short or long stays at the beach town.  

Oceans are the biggest wonder of the world and there’s not many other things in life that bring as much joy. Just being by the shore and watching the waves feels like food for your soul. Many travellers who go back there time and again are testament to the fact that the ocean gives you courage to try newer things. Though intimidating at  the start, being in the water can help you develop a newfound respect for this force of nature and let go of the inhibitions you might have been holding onto! If you’re eager to see what the waves have in store for you, Gokarna is a great place to start. With over 10 water sports frequently and safely practiced, it is the ideal beginner's paradise. 

Surfing in Gokarna would be the best place to start. For starters, there are many professional institutes that provide training here and the water is consistently warm with light currents rendering it an ideal surfing location. It makes for a great lesson in patience; none of us can create waves, so learning to be patient and wait for the waves to come is an important exercise in this process. Engaging in this is a great way to take a real break from hectic city lives and daily jobs, and a certified method of de-stressing particularly because riding a wave will consume 100% of your thoughts. Not to mention, all the equipment you need to be surfing in Gokarna and to be one with the waves are available here by the cafes and the institutes. The blue of the sea here is beautified by the deep green hues of coconut trees swaying at the Sahyadri Mountains, making for an ideal view when surfing at Gokarna!

Gokarna is the perfect weekend getaway. Not only is it replete with beaches, it is home to caves and temples with unique architecture that dates back to the 4th century. The serene backdrop of beaches, hills and greenery that this town offers helps forget about the city hustle and noise for a while. Sightseeing in Gokarna involves a whole lot of food by the beaches and treks to get there. All that you will see will be on foot and it makes this all the more delightful.  

Besides the beaches, sightseeing in Gokarna involves visiting many temples with 4th century Dravidian architecture, Caves and the Mirjan Fort that are an offbeat destination very close to Gokarna. It is one of those towns that is fairly easy to navigate once you’re there and has no complicated itinerary or checklists. Gokarna waves at you to come and bury your worries in the white sandy shores.