Once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire or else the Kingdom of Bisnagar, Hampi is now a quaint village with major historical and architectural importance. Situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river, in the Bellary District of Northern Karnataka, the area is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a large number of palaces, monolithic structures, giant temples, ancient monuments and impressive ruins, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Besides the breathtaking historical scenery, Hampi is known for yet another reason. As a big part of the area is dotted with amazing granite boulders that range between 13 ft/4 m to 196.8 ft/60 m, this place has become an endless playground for bouldering enthusiasts and offers unique and challenging options for climbing.
There are endless crags to choose from, with various difficulty levels ranging from 6c+ to 8a+. Some of the most important bouldering spots include Hemakuta Hill, located within walking distance from Hampi Bazaar, with many climbable slabs and walls, Matanga Hill, including an obvious heavy traverse along with great views once you reach the top of the crag, Tiruvengalantha Temple, with a few varied boulders and Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple, offering some of the best climbing routes in Hampi with steep cracks and aretes.
The best season for bouldering in Hampi is between November and December, when the weather is cool and dry. The monsoon season is between May and November, while during summer months temperatures can reach up to 104°F/40°C, making bouldering almost impossible. Keep in mind that most of the routes are not bolt protected and have lack of holds and bad landing spots.
If you are visiting India and are a rock climbing fan, don’t miss the opportunity to discover this visual delight and climb on its amazing crags, as Hampi is among the topmost climbing destinations in the country. It will certainly be an inspiring adventure. Hint: choose a high crag with a panoramic view and watch the sun go down behind the huge temple ruins. It will take your breath away!
