Trip to Hampi - Part 6 : Day 2- Trek to Mathanga Hills

The trek was very satisfying and fulfilling. Although the difficulty level was beyond expectations and surprising but its best part is that it gives us the moment to be cheered later, a long lasting memory and above all one of its kind experiences.

Way to Mathanga Hills

Let me start with the very beautiful quote by  Pat Ament :   

When you ride your bike, you're working your legs, but your mind is on a treadmill. When you play chess, your mind is clicking along, but your body is stagnating. Climbing brings it together in a beautiful, magical way. The adrenaline is flowing, and it's flowing all the time.
 

I would say trip to Hampi will be incomplete without climbing to Mathanga hills which provides the panoramic 360 degree view of the Hampi. Once you get at the top, you will easily understand the Map of Hampi. However getting to the top is a tough row to hoe.

During our complete to and fro trip, we encountered only 3, 4 climbers and coincidentally all of them belong to Spain and and also all were alone.  

At 2, 3 places, you have to climb a very risky mountain with no support at all. It would be difficult for me to explain in words. Please see the picture. 

Tipping point 1: See man made stairs.

The trek is moderately challenging as there is no clearway or signboards for directions and at some places, one will really doubt if he is on the right route. But don’t worry much about it, trust on your intuition. 

Random Pictures depicting our track

One of the Difficult turn

Where the end road will be visible only after climbing these turns.

Trek gets tougher as you climb higher. Also, just before reaching to the top, there in one very critical turn which is also the turning point for some of the people. 

Most difficult point to cross. Seeing the height 

is enough to give you shiver

 It is really difficult to cross as the stones were slippery and there were no stones/support on one of the side and also you cannot hold anything. You must maintain balance at that point. I would not recommend this place to people with acrophobia. I still remember the dilemma I faced that day, whether to cross it or trace back even when I am not afraid of heights. Glancing at that point is enough to give you the shiver.But the spirit inside me told me to cross.

  “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity.”  John Muir

 

Views were worth it.

 

Beautiful Banana Plantation, Hampi Tower and Virupaksha temple

Premises of Mustard Ganesha and Jain temples.

Pushkarni and also the route to Vitthala temple

After enjoying the view, it was the time to go back. 

“Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”

― Ed Viesturs, No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks

While going back, one should be more watchful and cautious. There were only a couple of points which were challenging. At both the places, there is turn such that there are no stones at the other side and seeing the height while descending can be dizzy. At one of the point, something similar to stairs were constructed in stone but it was very slippery. It did not take more than 20 minutes while descending; however, it was little less than 1 hour while ascending. For regular trekkers and climbers, however, it will not require even that much time. 

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Complete Hampi trip Posts Compilation so far

About Hampi and what to expect in Hampi

Day 1:

Day 1 Itinerary

Mustard Ganesha, Krishna Temple and Queen's Bath 

Vijaya Vittala Temple

Day 2:

Day 2: Itinerary 

Trek to Mathanga Hills

Day 3:

Day 3: Itinerary

Restaurants in Hampi