Don't miss these sport climbing routes when you go rock climbing in Bangalore

by Aravind Selvam | Rock Climbing

Don't miss these sport climbing routes when you go rock climbing in Bangalore

Bangalore is blessed to have massive granite domes rising around it in every direction. People have been rock climbing in and around Bangalore for about 5 decades and there are around 300 odd bolted pitches!

 

When asked to do a list of must-try sport climbing lines around Bangalore, I wanted to make sure it wasn't based on the satisfaction from projecting and pushing climbing grades, as that would be extremely subjective. Instead I wanted to make the list based on the diversity of moves a route offers, the exposure, the backdrop, the stories associated with it or routes that make us realise why we started climbing in the first place - because rock climbing is just fun and gets us to experience some of the most beautiful and wild places around!

Sab Kuch Milega, Achalu, Ramanagara, Bangalore Pic courtesy: Praveen Jayakaran

 

I reached out to people who have been climbing a lot around Bangalore, and have climbed most of the accessible classics in the last few years. Based on that input, I put together a list of ten rope climbs (in no particular order) that one should try around Bangalore.

 

 

Narrowing it down to a list of just 10 lines was quite the task and in the process, I might have missed a line or two, but I'm sure that you'll agree that all the routes listed below are classics.And whatever the grade you climb at, or the style you enjoy, this list will have something for you.

 

 

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  • Namaste (5.9)- Mahout rock, Ramanagara - FA: Jean Francois Hagenmuller and KV Mohana. If you want to experience Bangalore's rich rock climbing history, this is the line for you. This 2 pitch classic is one of the first bolted rock climbing lines around Bangalore and was established in 1990! The bolts were replaced by the members of Bangalore Climbing Initiatives in 2016. The setting of the line is lovely and it is the perfect line to get a feel of the longer routes on Savandurga


 

  • Veer Madrasi (5.11a)- Rasta Cafe Area, Ramanagara- FA: Sohan Pavuluri. Bangalore is mostly known for its long, run-out slabs and this climb is a polar opposite. We've seen people comment on the grading being too soft on this one until actually get on it, thanks to the deceiving ladder of horizontal breaks.


 

  • Hulia Halina Mevu (5.11d)- Swamidevara Betta, Ramanagara- FA: Praveen CM. The climb can be broken into three sections with two good resting ledges separating them. The crux is at the 2-3 bolt and has a series of mini cruxes with extremely diverse moves spread all through the climb. It is a five-minute hike from the parking area and gets in the shade in the evenings.


 

  • Freaky Flake (5.10c)- Gowda's Farm, Ramanagara- Route Credit Balaji SR. Another classic by the previous generation and the route gets its name after the massive, hollow-sounding flake at the crux of this route. The route has seen a lot of repeats in the last few years and seems like the flake and the route will stand the test of time, for a long time to come.


 

  • Life's for the living (5.10a)- Golladhani Konda- Hosur. FA (P1)- Aravind Selvam. The line's an experience that is not to be missed if you're climbing around Bangalore. It starts as a tricky squeeze chimney for about 30 feet. Halfway up the line you get out of the chimney and start stemming your way up on good holds with mad exposure beneath you. The second pitch of the line still awaits a free ascent. The gradient mellows down slightly after the first belay station and is thoroughly enjoyable!


 

  • Sab Kuch Milega (5.11d) - Achalu, Ramanagara - FA: Bharath Gowda and Deepu Gowda. As the name suggests, the route has everything from overhangs with positive holds to technical friction slabs. The 3 pitch line was envisioned and bolted in 2018 by Karthik Vijayakumar and has soon become a favourite amongst the climbers here.


 

  • Bolero (5.10b)- CS betta, Ramanagara - FA: Neil Warrington. This line is another recent addition, bolted earlier this season. It offers some quality Badami style climbing on pockets and is highly praised by pretty much every person who has gotten on it.


 

  • Badass (5.12b)- Golladhani Konda, Near Hosur- FA (P1): Bharath Gowda. The first half of the line starts on a small corner which is extremely sustained and technical. The crux sequence is quite tricky to figure out as it involves delicate footwork and is very hard to just power your way through. After the first half, the line follows an enjoyable finger crack and the angle eases up as well.


 

  • Spider (5.10b)- Varlakonda. This route has a good variety of moves that just flow and is well bolted. The sequence is extremely intuitive for most people and feels like you are cruising on autopilot. If you've already done the route once or if it is under your grade limit, this is route could be the cure to that nasty hangover on a Sunday morning!


 

  • High Lonesome (5.8)- BM Betta- FA: Dinesh Kaigonhalli. This is a 7 pitch climb, done ground up in 1995 and has a really cool story around it. The route was bolted by Dini, over three Sundays and the last day, tired of hauling up the heavy drill and bolts weekend after weekend, Dini decided to finish the last 250 odd feet in a quick push and had sunk in just 2 bolts! The route has been rebolted recently with Dini's consent to make this classic more accessible. Although the route isn't as committing as the original, it is still quite the adventure and lives up to its name! The hike to the base of the line is wild, and the views from the top are brilliant.


 

Here are few routes, that didn't make the list but I think they are definitely worth checking out.

 


 

  • Bollywood P2, Sidilukallu, Ramanagara


 

  • Rapid Coupe, Elba Rock, Achalu, Ramanagara


 

  • Sunday Brunch, Gethna area, Ramanagara


 

  • Kamasutra, Gowda's farm, Ramanagara


 

  • Hari's first Kannada Wedding, Varlakonda


 

  • Broomberg, Achalu, Ramanagara

 

 

 

A few routes like Beladingalu and Bollywood (P1), didn't make the list as they are mixed routes and parts of the climbs, require trad gear for protection.

A huge shout out to the guys who helped me put together this list; Gaurav (Gujju), Bharath Gowda, Sohan Pavuluri, TT Niranjan, Narayan Pai, and Alok Tater. For more beta on these lines, reach out on Avathi.outdoors on Instagram or pick up the second edition of the Bangalore Climbing Initiatives guidebook which has recently come out!

 

And if you haven't tried any of the classics listed above, grab your gear and march to them crags!

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