The place
Skandagiri, also known as Kalavara Durga, is a popular trekking destination near Nandi Hills. Known for its thrilling night treks, it is famous for the views it offers at sunrise, with clouds carpeting the valley below — a sight that has earned it the nickname “cloud hill”.
At an altitude of around 1,450 metres, Skandagiri is home to the ruins of a 16th-century fortress used by Tipu Sultan as a strategic military outpost. The ancient fort walls and temple ruins add a historical allure to the climb.
The trail is rocky, narrow in places, and steep — about three to four hours to the peak. Night trekkers begin around midnight and reach the summit before dawn, when the first light pierces the mist and the landscape transforms.
