Nandi Hills

About Nandi Hills

And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills, which can be visited on foot.

Location info

• **Address:**60 kms north of Bangalore, Karnataka

• **District:**Kolar

• **Nearest City:**Bangalore

• Best time to visit: November to March.

Climate & weather

Summer: Max: 29°C Min: 23°C
Winter: Max: 21°C Min: 11°C

History of Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills or Nandidurg is a hill fortress of southern India, in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka state. It is located just 3 to 5 KM from Chickballapur Taluq. It is 4851 ft. (1478 meters) above sea level. It is located in close proximity to the newly constructed Bangalore International Airport, the second largest in India. In addition, the hills are located about 2 km from the National Highway (NH-7). Due to its location, Nandi Hills is rapidly developing and numerous commercial and residential ventures are underway in the region.
Nandidurg hill, known commonly as Nandi Hills, is the source of the Penner,Ponnaiyar and Palar rivers. Nandi Hills gets its name from an ancient Nandi temple situated on this hill. This temple has a thousand year old sculpture of Nandi. An ancient lord Shiva and Parvati temple also adorns this hill.

The vegetation of the hills is typical of high hills. Inside the fort at the summit, many of the large trees are planted exotics such as Eucalyptus and the undergrowth consists of Coffea arabica along with some native species. The forest acts as a substrate for cloud condensation and every morning the trees are covered in water. This allows for many moist forest species of plants and animals. The hills are very rich in birdlife making it a very popular location for birdwatchers and bird photographers. The evergreen forest patch on top of the hill being a favoured wintering location for many migrant species of warblers, flycatchers and thrushes. The forest patch is also home for a relict population of the Nilgiri Woodpigeon. A breeding pair of Shaheen Falcon, the resident race of the Peregrine Falcon is also often seen at the Nandi Hills. The Malabar Whistling Thrush, Uropeltid snakes and Pill millipedes which are otherwise known only from the Western Ghats ranges are also found here. The hill slopes are the home of the Yellow-throated Bulbul, a species endemic to the hills of peninsular India.

How to reach Nandi Hills

• **Nearest Railway Station:**The nearest railhead is Chikkaballapur

• **Nearest Airport:**The nearest airport is Bangalore at a distance of 30 km.

Road Transport: Nandi Hills is connected by road to Bangalore and Chikkaballapur. Bus : Government buses ply from Bangalore, Chikkaballapur and Nandigrama. It takes 2 hours from Bangalore and one hour from Chikkaballapur to reach Nandi Hills.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

1.Hotel Mayura Pine Top Nandi Hills. Kolar District.
2.Guest House of the Horticulture Department.
3.PWD Accommodation.

Nearest visiting places

• Rangasthala Temples

Ranganatha Swamy Temple Situated in Chikkaballpura. It’s around 60kms from Bangalore. Chikballapur is the District Headquarters of the newly created District of Chikballapur in the State of Karnataka, India.Chikballapur is about 57 km north of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), the silicon plateau of India

• Vidurashwatha Temples

Vidurashwatha is a small village located in the Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated near the Karnataka - Andhra Pradesh border and about 6km from Gauribidanur, it had a major role to play in the freedom movement of India

• Arkavathy River

Arkavathy River or Arkavathi River, is a river in India, originating at Nandi Hills of Chikkaballapur district. It is a tributary of the Kaveri River, which it joins at Kanakapura called sangama in kannada after flowing through Kolar District and Bangalore Rural district

• Penner River

The Pennar (also Penner, Penna or Penneru) is a river of southern India. The Penner rises on the hill of Nandi Hills in Chikballapur District of Karnataka state, and runs 560 km (350 miles) north and east through the state of Andhra Pradesh to empty into the Bay of Bengal

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**100

• Nearest Hospital:

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Nandi Hills

October to March is peak season with pleasant temperatures (15-28°C). April-June is warm but still pleasant compared to plains. July-September brings monsoon with misty landscapes and occasional rain.

Timings & opening hours

Open throughout the day. Government tourist spots have timings 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Hill station areas are accessible 24/7, but activities are best during daylight.

Entry fee & tickets

No entry fee for the hill station area. Specific viewpoints, parks, and gardens may charge INR 10-50 per person. Vehicle parking fees apply at popular spots.

Duration needed

Half a day to explore the hill station. Weekends are popular for a relaxing getaway. 2-3 days recommended for fully experiencing the area and nearby attractions.

Safety tips

Hill roads can be narrow with sharp curves — drive carefully. Watch for wildlife crossing roads, especially in forest areas. Carry warm clothing as temperatures drop in evenings. Stay on marked trails during treks.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry warm clothing/jacket (temperatures drop significantly in evenings). Trekking shoes if planning walks. Rain gear during monsoon. Binoculars for birdwatching.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station is at the base of the hills. Nearest airport: typically Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore or Mangalore International Airport. Taxis and buses are available from the base town.

Things to do at Nandi Hills

Nature walks and trekking, birdwatching (the Western Ghats have exceptional avian diversity), photography, visiting viewpoints for panoramic valley views, exploring coffee/tea plantations, and enjoying the cool mountain climate.

Things to visit & highlights

Hilltop viewpoints, lush valleys, forest trails, waterfalls, coffee and spice plantations, botanical gardens, nearby temples and heritage sites, and local village markets.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the temperature at Nandi Hills? A: Typically 15-28°C during season, dropping to 10-15°C in winter nights. Q: Are there accommodation options? A: Yes, from budget homestays to luxury resorts. Q: What is the best time for trekking? A: October to February for pleasant weather and clear trails.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Hill Stations

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Nandi Hills

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Nandi Hills on popular travel photography sites and social media.