The Biligiriranga Hills (BR Hills) form an ecological bridge between the Western and Eastern Ghats, and the BRT Wildlife Sanctuary’s forest, home to elephants, tigers and the indigenous Soliga community, surrounds the hilltop Ranganathaswamy temple that gives the range its name, with jeep safaris and viewpoints run through the sanctuary’s core zone. BR Hills sits at an elevation of 1168 m and is typically explored in about 1-2 days. The most favourable months to visit are February, November, December, and January, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Dodda Sampige Mara, BR Hills Dam, and K. Gudi– Jungle Lodges. Other notable highlights include sunrise from the temple’s 4,000-foot summit viewpoint, spotting gaurs and elephants at K. Gudi safari, and walk the sacred Biligiri Rangana hill’s shola forest trail. It falls within Karnataka, Chamarajanagar district, and Karnataka, India.
State: Karnataka
Ideal Duration: 1-2 Days
February, November, December, January
Carry a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and any personal medications, as the nearest pharmacy is in the town of Hanur, about 20 km away. Also, apply a good insect repellent to avoid leech bites during the wet season, and always carry at least 2 litres of water per person as there are few drinking water points on the trail.
The ideal time is between October and March, when the weather is cool and dry, making it perfect for daytime safaris and nature walks. Avoid the heavy monsoon months of June to September, as leech activity increases and many trails become slippery and closed.
You may spot elephants, gaurs, sambar deer, wild boars, and occasionally leopards or tigers, especially during early morning or late afternoon safaris. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the core forest area; you must take an official forest department jeep with a naturalist, which is safer and also supports conservation.
Yes, the Karnataka Forest Department runs the Ranganathittu and BRT Tiger Reserve lodges, offering basic but clean cottages and dormitories, which must be booked in advance online. For more comfort, private homestays and resorts in the nearby villages of K. Gudi and Bylur offer larger rooms with attached bathrooms and home-cooked meals, ideal for groups.
The main trek to the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple atop the hill is about 3-4 km one way with moderate inclines and rocky patches, taking roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way. It is doable for fit seniors who are used to walking, but we strongly recommend hiring a local jeep (available at the base) for the ascent and descent if you have knee or heart issues.