Conquering the Gates of Agumbe: A Thrilling Ascent to Narasimha Parvata.

The call of the Western Ghats is strong. On November 28, 2025, my friend and I embarked on a mission to conquer Narasimha Parvata, one of Karnataka's most scenic peaks. This was my second time to Narasimha Parvata. After a quick debate, we decided to trust our journey to trekking group, Plan the Unplanned.

The Journey Begins

We met our group at the Yashwantpur metro station at 10:30 PM and boarded the bus. Our troop consisted of 19 spirited trekkers, guided by two experienced leads. The group was a mix of ages and backgrounds, including a 9th standard student hiking with his dad and an inspiring 55-year-old woman accompanying her son.

To break the ice, we played a fun shuffling game where everyone got to know one person and then introduced them to the whole group—a great way to start building camaraderie! After a night of bumpy, interrupted sleep, we finally arrived at our homestay in Agumbe at 7:30 AM. A quick freshen-up and a simple yet satisfying breakfast of vermicelli later, we were back on the bus, heading for the starting point in Mallandur, 40 minutes away. The forest guards verified our identities & let the bus pass to the base camp.

Into the Wild Agumbe Forest

Two local guides joined us at the base, and after a quick warm-up session, we hit the trail at 9:20 AM.

The first 2 kilometers were straight out of a jungle book! We moved through the thick, lush Agumbe forest, sheltered by a dense tree canopy on a defined trail. This initial stretch, while not overly steep, required agility. The path was littered with fallen trees—we had to hop over some and duck under others—a fun little obstacle course! We also navigated a couple of dried-up stream beds.

Sunshine, Scenery, and the Unpredictable Trail

After about an hour, the scenery dramatically opened up. We burst into the open grasslands, and the sun, now high in the sky, immediately made us feel the heat. There was no more blessed shade, and the sweat started to pour!

The next section, which began after about 10 minutes of traversing the open ground, was a bit of an ascent through a stretch dense with bamboo. The trail here was less defined, but our local guides kept us on track. This part was a contrast to my previous treks: it involved unexpected sections of descent and flat land, breaking the usual relentless uphill climb. We came across a fresh water stream where the local guide encouraged us to fill our water reserves. The water was cold, clear and refreshing. We kept our energy levels up by munching on chocolates, trail mix, and sipping precious water.

Barkana Falls: The Midpoint Marvel

The reward for our efforts came at 11:40 AM, about an hour later. We reached a gushing stream that feeds into the Sita River. After a careful crossing, we scrambled over a cascade of boulders and suddenly arrived at the top of Barkana Falls!

We had already covered 6 km, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. We peered down at the Sita River as it snaked through the rocks before plunging into the valley below. Going right to the tip of the waterfall was a thrilling, unforgettable moment. We rested, refueled with snacks, and, of course, took a huge number of photos before the rest of our group arrived.

The Climb to the Peak

At 12:30 PM, it was time to continue. We still had a challenging 6 km left to the summit of Narasimha Parvata.

It was here that our inspiring 55-year-old companion made the tough but sensible decision to head back to the base. The next 1.5 km was a relentless, steep ascent that really started to test our mettle; my toes were definitely feeling the strain! Around 1:30 PM, we reached a large, welcoming rock, which became our well-deserved lunch spot as the rest of the group slowly caught up.

After a 30-minute break, we continued. We stopped briefly at a thin water stream—a clear, potable trickle—to refill our bottles. There was a long queue of tired trekkers, all waiting patiently for this lifeline.

The next climb was brutally exposed, with no tree canopy to shield us from the harsh midday sun. After about 40 minutes, we reached the open grasslands again, following a narrow, spectacular path along the edges of the hills. The views into the valley were rewarding. Seeing the distant peak ignited a fresh burst of motivation, and we pushed on, zigzagging from one hill to the next.

The final stretch was a killer: an 800-meter ascent. It felt like an eternity. Dehydration started to set in, causing a slight headache, forcing me to stop frequently, grab a biscuit, and proceed slowly. Finally, the terrain flattened out.

The Summit at Last!

At 3:15 PM, after a 12 km trek, I reached the 1150 m high peak! The summit was mostly flat, dotted with large black rocks and completely devoid of trees. The sky was clear and the views were grand! We found a small respite from the sun in the shade of a massive boulder. My friend and I took a few celebratory photos and simply relaxed as our group members trickled in. We shared snacks and enjoyed the achievement.

We also took a moment to observe the shrine of Lord Narasimha and the ancient-looking footprint etched into one of the rocks—a spiritual touch to a physical challenge.

The Homeward Bound Descent

We started our return journey around 4:00 PM, taking a shorter, different 6 km route. The initial descent was steep and lacked tree cover before leveling out into flat, open fields. Five of us surged ahead, enjoying the quicker pace. About 50 minutes into the descent, we stopped at a big rock with a panorama of the surrounding villages for a 10-minute rest.

The final stretch led us back into the thick Agumbe jungle canopy. As the sun began to dip, the forest grew dim and alive with the sound of crickets chirping, with a few even fluttering around us. My kneecaps were a lifesaver on the descent, allowing gravity to do most of the work while my trekking pole helped control my speed on the sloping path.

We knew we were nearing the finish line when we spotted the Kigga temple. At 5:30 PM, we reached the temple, where we enjoyed much-needed refreshments from a nearby shop. The Kigga temple, dedicated to Sage Rishyashringa and his wife Shanta, holds historical significance as the the sage officiated King Dasharatha's sacrifice for offspring. Being exhausted and having visited before, I opted to skip the temple this time.

We located our bus and waited as the rest of our group arrived by 6:30 PM. A 40-minute bus ride took us back to the homestay. The luxury of hot water for a bath instantly refreshed me!

A Quick Goodbye

My friend and I had made the decision to head back to Bangalore that same evening, parting ways with the group who were scheduled to return the next day. After a quick dinner, we bid our farewells and rushed to catch our KSRTC bus. The return journey through the winding ghats was an adventure in itself, and we arrived back in Bangalore safe and sound at 6 AM on the 30th.