Jamalabad Fort

Jamalabad Fort, also known locally as Gadaikallu, crowns a granite hill in the Kudremukh range, 8 km north of Belthangady and 65 km from Mangalore in Dakshina Kannada. Tipu Sultan built it in 1794, drawn by the great mass of rock, and named it after his mother, Jamalabee. Locals say it served as a lookout. The British took it in 1799 in the Fourth Mysore War, and legend says Tipu had those who fell from his favour thrown from its edge.

The climb is a steep trek of medium difficulty: a narrow path and about 1,876 steps cut into the rock climb to the 520-metre summit, from surrounding land below 200 metres. Little of the fort survives beyond traces of walls and parapets, a rainwater tank, a single room and the remains of one cannon. The top looks out over the Kudremukh hills. Visitors pass a forest check post at the base, there is no drinking water at the top, and staying overnight is not allowed.