Ettina Bhuja Trek

Ettina Bhuja which literally mean Ox's shoulder due to its peak that resembles the hump of an Ox. This peak is also knows as Shishila Gudda and is around 11 kms from Gowdahalli Village (The base point of our trek). 

Closer view of the Peak

We took 10:30:00 PM bus from Majestic (Bangalore Central Bus Station)  to Mudiger and by 04:00:00 o'clock in the morning we were at Mudigere. It was still dark and the bus stop was completely empty. There was only one restaurant at the bus stop which opens only at 6:00 am.

After inquiring we get to know that, there are only two buses which goes towards our trekking base which is at 07:00:00 am and 10:30:00 am and we need to get down at Gowdahalli village and start the trek from there. We decided to take the first bus which is at 07:00:00. We quickly finished our breakfast and boarded the bus which started at 7:15 am from Mudigere and by 07:45:00 am we were at Gowdahalli Village (which was our start point for the trek).

Trek Route

Gowadahalli Village

First major landmark - Gowdahalli Village

• The  first major landmark.

• The track from Gowdahalli Village is very easy, no up or down hills, one just had to follow the main tar road 

Gowdahalli Village to Sathiganahalli:

• Sathiganahallu is the second major landmark.

• In few hours we arrived at Sathiganahalli from the first major landmark. . 

Sathiganahalli  to Byrapura village:

• Byrapura village is the third major landmark. 

• Form Sathiganahalli one has to take the right and follow the single road which goes till the Byrapura village.

Byrapura Temple:

• The forth major landmark is the Byrapura Temple which is also knows as Nanya Bhairaweshwara Temple and is around 1.5 kms from the Byrapura village. 

• This is the place where we had our lunch and prepared ourselves to climb till the peak. 

From Byrapura Temple to Ettina Bhuja:

• The Etinna Bhuja peak is around 1.5 kms from the Temple.

• People usually come to the temple in vehicle and then from here walk up to the hill.

• The route from temple till peak consists of man made track inside the jungle, plain paddy fields and hill trails.

• The 360 degree view was breathtaking from the hill trail. .

From  Ettina Bhuja to Byrapura Temple:

• One just needs to follow the same route for way back. 

• The same route is a lot easier while coming back from the peak to temple,  due to down hill.

Second major landmark

Third major landmark - A house in Byrapura Village

Forth Major landmark - Sri Nanya Bhairaweshwara temple

Starting point at Byrapura Temple

View of Ettina Bhuja from 1 kms distance

Back side view while waking in trail

Left side view while walking in trail

Just before climbing the peak

Conquered Etinna Bhuja

Back side view while returning from the peak

Man made track - way back from the Peak to Temple

Trip Itinerary and Tips

Bangalore ➜ Mudigere 

View of the Etiina Bhuja peak from Temple parking area

• Had taken 10:30:00 PM from Majestic Bangalore and reached Mudigere at 04:00:00 AM in the morning. 
• Mudigere is just 260 kms aways from Bangalore and there are plenty of KSRTC buses available to go to this place. So you can take a bus which is later than 10:30 PM, as there is no point reaching there before sun rise. 

Breakfast @ Mudigere 

• Only food point in the entire route. 
• Parcel lunch for the afternoon, and load plenty of water for yourself.

Mudigere ➜  Gowdahalli village

• Had taken 07:00:00 O'clock bus from Mudigere and reach trek  base at 07:45:00 am.

Gowdahalli Village ➜ Etinabhuja

The group at Ettina Bhuja Peak

• Started at 08:00:00 AM and reached at 01:00:00 PM  

Ettina Bhuja ➜ Byrapura (Bhairapura) Village

• Started from peak at 2:00 PM and reached village at 3:30PM ( 3kms)

Byrapura Village ➜ Mudiger 

•  Had taken 04:00:00 PM bus and reached Mudigere by 04:30:00 PM

Mudiger ➜ Bangalore 

• Had taken 05:00:00 PM bus and reached Majestic (Bangalore) at 11:00:00 PM 

If you don't wish to do the longer trek like we did,  you can directly go to Sri Nanya Bhairaweshwara Temple from Mudigere and from there you can go to Etinabhuja Peak which is hardly 1.5 kms away.  This is a very easy trek and can be done over the weekend.

The Overall rating for the trip ★★★★✩