Trekking, mountaineeering, and rock climbing are the best things to do in Chickballapur.
There are five hills, locally known as Pancha Giris literally five hills, about 15 km south of Chikballapur, including the tourist destination known as Nandi Hill. The five hills are known locally as Nandi Giri, Chandra Giri, Indra Giri, Brahma Giri, and Hema Giri. Also, there is a sixth hill known locally as Kalavaara Hill or Skanda Giri.
The Nandi Hill, along the face known as Tippu's Drop, is good for vertical scaling as long as no one expects it to be comparable to the El Capitan in the Yosemite Mountains in California.
The Kalavaara Hill is very good for camping overnight at the top. On a good day, you will literally be above the clouds and see the clouds roll by. Knowledgeable people hike up the hill on a moonlit night and tell others that all those who can must do so.
The two hills, locally known as Pandava Hill and Kaurava Hill, named after the legendary fraternal enemies of Mahabharatic fame, about 11 km north of downtown Chikballapur, are also very good for mountaineering.
For those who want to attempt rock climbing, please take everything with you, including the kitchen sink, because you will be alone with your companions. The redeeming value of "taking it with you" is that you can take it back with you as well.
Local people are very friendly and helpful. If there are women in the climbing team, they may even offer you a hot drink that they call coffee.
