Ettina Bhuja trek – 6 things you need to know
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Ettina Bhuja: The perfect first-timers’ trek
The magnificent Ettina Bhuja is a part of the Charmadi ghat in Karnataka at an altitude of 4265 ft.
The term Ettina Bhuja means Ox’s shoulder because the shape of the peak looks like one.
It is also called Shishila Gudda by the locals there. It is one of the unexplored treks in Karnataka, which is near Mudigere.
It is a short trek; hence it is recommended to come over with a weekend plan, stay overnight and explore nearby places.
How to reach Ettina Bhuja
The closest village for the trek is Mudigere; direct overnight buses run from Bengaluru and other main cities of Karnataka to Mudigere.
You can take this bus around 10-11 PM and reach the next day at 4-5:00 AM.
The best option after getting to Mudigere to save time is to take a local rickshaw to the start point of the trek (Sri Nanya Bhairaveshwara temple, Byrapura). They charge around INR 600 for this ride.
The road leading up to the start point is accessible via private vehicle, and the journey is beautiful and misty. So, you can also take your vehicle to the start point of the trek and park it near the temple.
Trek Route & Difficulty
You can do the trek from two locations, Shishila village & Bhairaveshwara temple, Byrapura. Here we will talk about the one starting from the latter because the one starting from Shishila village is difficult.
The trek duration is about 1 to 1.5 hours, and you cover a distance of 3-3.5 kms. It is an easy trek; however, the final section is a vertical climb to reach the top of the peak.
It is ideal to start the trek early in the morning by 6-6:30 AM so you can avoid the crowd and the beautiful golden hour from the top of the peak.
This trek is known for its panoramic views of the valley & the lush green forest trails post monsoons.
The trek can be divided into 3 sections:
- The start point to the forest trail: This part of the trek is through a jungle & can hear the sound of nature early in the morning. You will take about 15-25 mins to complete this section.
- From the forest trail to the 2nd viewpoint: The course starts getting steep from this point onwards. This viewpoint offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Time taken: 25-30 mins.
- 2nd viewpoint to the peak: The last section will take another 30 mins as it tends to get a bit steep, and the final patch is a rocky climb where one needs to be careful. The top provides breathtaking views of the western ghats of Karnataka.
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Important Information
- Before the lockdown, there was an entry fee of INR 250, and the authorities provided a local guide for a group of 10; however, there has been no entry fee or local guides recently.
- The trek starts at 6:00 AM and closes at 3:00 PM.
- The trek is advised after the monsoon ends because the valley is at its prettiest during this time, the entire valley is covered by fog, and even the drive to Mekanagadde is misty, which is a sight in itself.
Things to do & see
- You can stay overnight in the mystical village of Mekanagadde. There are many homestays you can explore in this area.
- If you are travelling in your vehicle, you can even go to the Magajahalli/Abbi waterfalls at a distance of 12kms approximately.
- Devaramane Viewpoint: It is an hour’s ride from Mekanagadde village & is a good place to enjoy the sunset and return back to your homestay.