Ananthagiri Hills: A Serene Escape into Nature’s Power

Ananthagiri Hills — Where Hyderabad Turns Green!

It was one of those rare Mondays that felt like a surprise gift. A holiday was announced for Mahi at work, and I wanted to make the most of it. After the temple run, my heart was craving for mountains. So, after much contemplation with Google, we finally zeroed in on Ananthagiri Hills, just about 90 km from Manneguda — a quick escape to the greener side of Hyderabad. Having spent a week’s time in Hyderabad, I was hungry to find lush, foresty stretches amid the glass and concrete.

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We started our bike by 5 AM. Poor Mahi, as always, had to bear the torture of leaving his cozy bed in those “cute” early hours because I’m his designated travel partner-in-josh! And I am always high!

The Ride: From City Chaos to Ananthagiri Hills Forest Calm

There’s something magical about early morning bike rides — the roads are vacant, the wind feels softer, and the world is half-asleep. So it is you and your partner. A complete personal riding route. As we rode past the outskirts, we could see the newer planned city areas surrounded by surprising patches of green. The roads were smooth, and we got to ride without hitting the brakes every few minutes. After 40 minutes of riding, we took our first and only coffee break before entering the forest reserve area.

We spotted a huge lake accompanying us by our side for a kilometre or so in the early dawn light, but soon after, the fog took over — zero visibility! The world looked dreamy, almost straight out of a fairytale.

The roads here were lined with trees on both sides — the kind that instantly calms your mind. Welcome to Vikarabad district of Telangana, where this green escape is located. And just as we reached the temple area, I saw Government Medical College (GMC) Vikarabad nestled in the greens. Imagine studying in the middle of a forest reserve — lucky students!

The Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: Peace Enveloped in a hillock

Ananthagiri Hills – Temple Timings

The Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple was absolutely serene, especially in those early hours. We were there by 7:30. The temple’s opening time is 8 AM. Meanwhile, we rode around and came back by 8. Only a handful of devotees were there, and the peace was almost tangible. The main shrine lies under a hill-shaped rock, in a basement-like space — beautifully maintained and even air-conditioned to avoid suffocation. Alongside the main deity, there were small shrines for Lord Hanuman, Shiva, and Ganesha, too. The idols were age-old. My soul gets goosebumps to witness these pieces of high energy that have been worshipped for centuries.

Beyond the main temple, we explored a Pushkarini temple area. Descending stone steps, we reached an ancient Shiva temple, and further down, another shrine — perhaps of Vishnu, partly merged in water. A small stream flowed continuously, crystal clear and pure, probably straight from the forest. Nearby stood an old fort-like structure, half-ruined but fascinating — a silent storyteller of the past.

What is special about Ananthagiri Hills?

The Trek: Soft Adventure

Post breakfast from a small stall near the temple (those hot dosas hit differently!), we rode ahead to find the Ananthagiri Eco Garden. The place was still under development, with fresh paint and new constructions. A friendly guard guided us — ₹20 for parking and ₹50 per person for trekking.

He said it was a one-hour trek leading up to a watchtower and a small waterfall, so we decided to go for it. It turned out to be a sweet, simple trek — more like a walk-through nature than a climb. We took our time, stopping often to click pictures, breathe, and just soak in the greenery.

From the watchtower, the view of Ananthagiri Hills was satisfying. The hill range may not be vast, but it’s just enough to give your city-tired eyes a break. The network connectivity was surprisingly good, and we even bought four guavas for ₹40 (G-Pay) — sprinkled with masala, healthier than any Lays or Kurkure, and perfect post-trek fuel.

Ananthagiri Hills: The Little Things That Stay

Standing atop the watchtower, I couldn’t help but smile — Hyderabad’s chaos felt miles away, even though it was just a 2-hour ride. Since it was a weekday, the place was quiet, and the forest breeze carried that early morning freshness you can’t bottle.

For those planning a trip — reach early, like really early. The sunrise paints the forest gold, and as the day warms up, so does your energy level (and not in a good way!).

There’s also a lake nearby (locals call it Kotepally Lake), where you can try boating, kayaking, or even camping. We couldn’t make it there this time — Mahi straight away said ‘nope’ as his spouse had her own plans for later. But that gives me one solid reason to go back!

By noon, we were back on the road, heading home to Manneguda — wind in our faces, dust on our shoes, and tummy full of green memories.

If You Ask Me Why Visit Ananthagiri Hills…

Because sometimes, all you need is a forest bath to calm you down — just 90 kilometers away from Hyderabad’s rush.