At only 40 kms from Bangalore, you will get to enjoy a lip smacking rustic breakfast, gorgeous countryside, stunning monolith views and a panoramic dam landscape. Add to it a 400 year old Banyan tree and tons of nurseries enroute and you have a great Sunday plan ready. Perfect for bicyclists and motorcyclists, Manchinbele dam is that laidback Sunday morning ride destination.
The joy begins once you cross the Mysore road intersection and you ride through farm lands and nurseries. Pretty soon, you will come across Dodda Alada Mara or Big Banyan Tree, Bangalore’s 400 year old Banyan wonder and a few kilometers later, you get to enjoy heavenly village breakfast at a village shack. With a full belly and happy heart, lush scenery greets you along with views of Savandurga hill and other rocky outcrops as you turn left towards Manchinbele. Many pretty little villages show some signs of activity in the early hours of the morning.
As you cross these villages lazily, a spectacular panorama awaits you. All you have to do is park your vehicle at the parking spot (bicycles can go with you all the way till the view point) before you descend towards Manchinbele dam (exact details mentioned in the route map below), cross over to the other side of the road and climb for about 10 minutes. The view that opens up in front of you is the dam on the Arkavathy river that is called Manchinbele reservoir or dam. If you happen to go during the monsoons or right after, a green carpet view will greet you along with a brown rocky outcrop landscape. The large hill that you see on the far extreme is the Savandurga monolith, another popular trekking destination from Bangalore.
The early morning sun and the cool breeze at this view point will make you crave for a book and a hot cup of coffee. I would recommending carrying your coffee with you along with a bedsheet that you can spread here for a relaxed Sunday morning. A picnic basket, a book, a camera or a pair of sleepy eyes are enough company here. This Manchinbele dam viewpoint is the perfect excuse to de stress, soak in some Vitamin D, get some exercise and to enjoy the beauty of this rustic landscape just an hour away from the urban chaos of Bangalore city. You don’t need a plan to go to this destination. You can just wake up and go. That is how close it is to the city.
How to get there:
If you can, try to avoid the Mysore road stretch as there is a ton of construction and road repair work going on here.
It is best to take the NICE road, opt for the Mysore road exit, turn left and turn right just before Raja Rajeshwari college of engineering (once you cross the Decathlon store). You will cross a railway track, many nurseries on the way, Dodda Alada Mara and then about 10 kms after the railway crossing, there is a intersection where you turn left towards Manchinbele reservoir.
If you wish to see the Manchinbele viewpoint: Once you cross Chikkanahalli village and before you begin the descent to the dam, you will notice a small shop and a fairly large parking area to your left. This is where you can park your cars and motorcycles. After parking, you can cross the road and start walking up hill to the view point. Bicycles will go all the way to the view point. Motorcycles can also go provided you are comfortable taking it all the way up.
There is a camp site at the bottom of the dam if you wish to indulge in adventure sports. You would need to make prior bookings and only confirmed bookings will be allowed to cross the check post.
Where to eat:
If lip smacking food in a simple setting is your thing, then you can try this village shack that is located right at the corner of the left turn that takes you to Manchinbele reservoir from Dodda alada mara road. They dish could great thatte idli, chitra anna and vadai along with some piping hot sambar and thick spicy coconut chutney.
If you prefer a larger place with loos and parking, opt for the ones on Mysore road. You could also carry your picnic basket from home.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Dodda Alada Mara: Bangalore’s 400 year old Banyan Wonder
2) Savandurga: Monolith hill, temple and rustic day trip
3) Shri Shantmurthy Shanishwara Temple: Offbeat temple with stunning Savandurga and other rock views and scope for adventure here
4) Dabbaguli: A peaceful village by the banks of the Manchinbele reservoir
5) The various nurseries of Dodda Alada Mara area
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