Huliyurdurga Fort

Huliyurdurga Fort is a historic hill fort located on a rocky hillock near Huliyurdurga village in Kunigal Taluk, Tumakuru district, Karnataka, about 60 km west of Bengaluru. Built in the 16th century and later held by Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the fort is known for its twin hillocks, ruined fortifications, ancient temples and panoramic views. It is a popular day trek destination from Bengaluru.

Visitors can expect a moderate trek to the summit of a twin-peaked rocky hill with ruined fort walls, bastions and gateways. The trail passes through scrub vegetation and boulders to hilltop temples including Mallikarjuna and Hemagiri Malleshwara temples. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains, villages and reservoirs. There are no major built facilities at the top; the experience is primarily trekking, sightseeing and photography of ruins and landscape.

Huliyurdurga Fort is believed to have been originally built in the 16th century by Kempegowda, founder of Bengaluru. It later came under the control of the Mysore Wodeyars, and subsequently under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century before passing to British administration. The fort served as a strategic hill fortification with twin fortified peaks and was part of the network of forts around Bengaluru and Tumakuru.

The hill is of religious importance due to hilltop temples dedicated to Shiva as Mallikarjuna and Hemagiri Malleshwara, visited by pilgrims and trekkers. The fort hill is associated with local traditions and remains a cultural landmark for the Huliyurdurga village.