"Ettina Bhuja" — ox's shoulder in Kannada — names itself: the peak's summit ridge, seen from a distance, genuinely reads as the hump of a bull. It rises from the Charmadi range in the Mudigere range of Chikmagalur district, close to the temple town of Dharmasthala, and starts from Sri Nanya Bhairaveshwara Temple in Byrapura village, about 4 km away.
It is a short trek by distance — 4 to 5 km round trip — but a steep one, and the panoramic ridge-top views over the Western Ghats are exactly what draws repeat visitors. A local guide is strongly recommended even though the distance is modest; the upper stretch has exposed rock sections climbing at close to 80 degrees.
Local legend holds that the Pandavas of the Mahabharata sheltered here during their exile, with caves on the hillside said to have served as their dwelling. The surrounding forest is also home to elephants, Sambar deer, and birdlife including the Malabar whistling thrush — sightings aren't guaranteed, but it's genuinely wild terrain, not a manicured trail.
Elevation
~1,300 m (4,265 ft)
Distance
4–5 km round trip
Duration
3–4 hours
Base village
Byrapura, near Dharmasthala
Day 1
4–5 km3–4 hours
Rates for this age band weren't consistently listed — check at the counter.
Forest permit required
Open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Start early enough to be off the exposed ridge sections well before any afternoon weather turns.
Required documents
"Ettina Bhuja" means "ox's shoulder" in Kannada — a name earned honestly by the shape of the summit ridge when seen from a distance.
Yes, book through the Aranya Vihaara portal in advance. Adult entry runs ₹250 on weekdays and ₹300 on weekends, with lower teen rates — all subject to change.
Short but steep, with exposed rock sections near the top climbing at close to 80 degrees. It’s rated moderate rather than easy despite the modest 4–5 km distance.
Yes — the trailhead at Byrapura is close to Dharmasthala, so many visitors combine the trek with a temple visit on the same trip.
Yes — the forest is home to elephants, Sambar deer and birdlife such as the Malabar whistling thrush. Sightings aren't guaranteed, and it's worth trekking with a local guide who knows current conditions.
Plantation country, Mudigere, Mudigere
Valley views and plantation air, an hour off the highway
A plantation homestay on high ground, where the valley opens out below the deck and the evening is measured by how long the light lasts.
2 guests1 bedrooms1 bathsHomestay
₹2,500 ₹5,800 / night
Basing yourself in the Mudigere range for this trek? Astagiri Homestay sits in the same general area as the Byrapura trailhead.
Trek guide 7 min read
A 14 km round trip through shola forest and open grassland inside Kudremukh National Park, ending on a ridge with views across the Western Ghats.
September to May — trails turn slippery and leech-heavy during the June–August monsoon
Read guide
Trek guide 7 min read
An 18 km round trip through shola forest to a medieval hilltop fort and a waterfall in the Charmadi Ghats.
Monsoon and post-monsoon, July to December, when the falls are at their fullest
Read guide
Trek guide 7 min read
An 18 km round trip to Karnataka’s second-highest peak, through Shola forest and rolling grassland from the hamlet of Mullodi.
September to May — the Forest Department restricts access during the heaviest monsoon months
Read guide