Short walks and hikes around Hampi, with maps

 


This post is a little guide to 7 stunning walks and hikes around Hampi, complete with photos and Google Maps. Click on links to get more information!


The walks and hikes

See routes in Google Maps

1. Hemakuta Hill and surroundings


Hemakuta Hill is right in the centre of Hampi, overlooking the towering Virupaksha Temple. It is the most popular sunset viewing point, and also the easiest walk. If you start 1-2 hours earlier, you can discover several other temples and amazing statues. Keep in mind, however, that Hemakuta Hill closes at 6 PM (the guards actually let people stay until the sun goes down), so you get there in time. 
See photos and details


2. Hippie Island


The hippies are gone from this island across Hampi, but the hills and viewpoints are still there. Many people go to the main sunset point, but you could walk across the hill and discover more. 
See photos and details


3. Matanga Hill


Matanga Hill offers the best view of Hampi and its surroundings, but it is a moderate hike with steep climbs and sometimes not the best path. Towards the end you have to walk next to big drops, so that part is not for everyone. If you manage to reach the temple on the top, you will have a stunning 360° view of the whole area around Hampi. 
See photos and details


4. Vijaya Vitthala Temple and the Stone Chariot


The Stone Chariot is featured on the 50 rupee bill, and it is one of the most important archaeological site around Hampi. You need a ticket to enter the Vijaya Vitthala Temple compound, where the Stone Chariot stands, but there are many other temples and ancient buildings of different types along the way to the Stone Chariot. This hike first follows the river, then returns via the hills. If you want to visit the Vijaya Vitthala Temple, keep in mind that with the same ticket you can enter the Royal Palace as well, but only on the same day - so plan accordingly! 
See photos and details


5. Anjanadri Hill, Hanuman Temple


From a religious perspective, Anjanadri Hill is the most important place around Hampi - it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. A temple dedicated to Hanuman is found on the top, and it may get very crowded at times as Hindu pilgrims visit it in large numbers. The climb to the temple and the views from the top are very dramatic. Most people get to the base of Anjanadri Hill by different modes of motorised transports, but you could also walk there and back. This hike follows the river, then crosses it, before reaching Anjanadri Hill. You could take a rikshaw back to Hampi, or walk back via Hippie Island. 
See photos and details


6. The Royal Enclosure (free admission)


The Royal Enclosure is a very extensive archaeological site, found between Hampi and the village of Kamalapur. Its most famous feature is the Royal Palace, which contains the Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stables, but you need a ticket to enter this part. However, there are many other temples, palaces, bath houses and buildings of different types in the area that can bee explored free. You can spend half a day easily if you want to see all the noteworthy sites. If you add the Royal Palace itself, with the suggested extra hike, it will be a full day programme. Keep in mind, however, that with the same ticket you can visit the Vijaya Vitthala Temple and the Stone Chariot as well, but only on the same day - so plan accordingly! 
See photos and details


7. The Royal Palace and a viewpoint


The Royal Palace is a quite small site, but you could add a little hike to a nearby hilltop shrine to have fantastic views of the whole Royal Enclosure. The most notable buildings in the Royal Palace, surrounded by high walls and watchtowers, is the Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stables. You need a ticket to enter this part, but the same ticket allows you to visit the Vijaya Vitthala Temple with the Stone Chariot. The two sites are relatively far apart, and you need time to get to them and explore them, so plan accordingly!
See photos and details

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