National park · India
Himavad Gopalaswamy Bettaಹಿಮವದ್ ಗೋपालಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟ
Visit Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta for a short temple hike: pay the entry fee (≈ ₹20 – ₹30) and take the government bus; go in winter (Oct–Feb) for clear views, avoid monsoon (Jun–Sep).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Small hilltop area around the temple (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a mist‑shrouded hill in Karnataka’s Bandipur range, featuring a 14th‑century Krishna temple, panoramic views of the Western Ghats, and easy short hikes suitable for families and pilgrims.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2020
Small hilltop area around the temple (check).
Why go
- Temple of Lord Krishna on a mist‑covered hill with panoramic Western Ghats views.
- Easy short hike suitable for families and pilgrims.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanClear skies, cool mornings.
- FebPleasant weather, low crowds.
- MarMild, occasional fog.
- AprWarm, still clear.
- MayWarm, start of pre‑monsoon.
- JunMonsoon begins, heavy rain.
- JulPeak monsoon, trails slippery.
- AugHeavy rain, visibility low.
- SepRain recedes, occasional showers.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear views.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCold, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, spotted deer, peacocksOct–May · Seen in open grasslands near the hill. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Tigers, leopards (rare)Oct–Mar · Only from a distance; stay on designated paths. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bengaluru
Bus to Gundlupet (≈ 220 km (137 mi)), then KSRTC or forest mini‑bus to the hilltop.Bus to Gundlupet (≈ 137 mi (220 km)), then KSRTC or forest mini‑bus to the hilltop.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Mysuru
Bus or taxi to Gundlupet (≈ 80 km (50 mi)), then mini‑bus to the top.Bus or taxi to Gundlupet (≈ 50 mi (80 km)), then mini‑bus to the top.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Gundlupet
Government mini‑bus or KSRTC to the hill gate; private vehicles not allowed beyond gate.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Foothill gate | Ticket office, parking, small stalls. | Open daily; vehicle parking allowed. |
| Temple area | Gopalaswamy Temple, viewing platform. | Open with entry ticket; walking only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the hill; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (temple & hill) | INR 20–30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Paid at the foothill gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Vehicle restriction
- Private cars may not go beyond the foothill gate; use government bus.
- Forest access
- Entering the surrounding forest is prohibited to protect wildlife.
- Camping
- Not allowed on the hilltop.
- Photography
- Allowed in temple and viewpoint areas; no flash near wildlife.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no plastic bags in forest.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bandipur Safari Lodge
Comfortable rooms, wildlife safari packages.
Near the park
Gundlupet hotels
Budget options, basic amenities.
Near the park
Mysuru hotels
Wider range of facilities, 80 km (50 mi) away.Wider range of facilities, 50 mi (80 km) away.
Safety
Slippery rocks during monsoon medium
Wild animal encounters low
Cold evenings low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walk to temple suitable for limited mobility.
- Steep sections minimal; overall easy walk.
Visiting lightly
- Use government buses to reduce traffic.
- Do not buy ‘langur tours’; respect wildlife protection rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta?
Entry fee is about ₹20 – ₹30 per person, paid at the foothill gate.
What are the best hikes in Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta?
The short 1‑2 hour trail from the gate to Gopalaswamy Temple and the nearby viewpoint is the main hike; it is easy and suitable for families.
When is the best time to visit Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta?
Winter months (Oct–Feb) give clear skies and cool weather; avoid the monsoon season (June–Sep).
Can I stay overnight on the hill?
No. Staying beyond 4 PM is prohibited and there is no accommodation on the hill.
Is a guide required?
No guide is needed for the temple trail; guides are only required for wildlife safaris in Bandipur.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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