Hyderabad is a city of rocks. We have always lived alongside rocks, with the various hillocks around the city. They have become so integral to our lives that we hardly notice them. Maybe it's high time we did.
1. United We Stand Rock, Gachibowli: A single formation rock, with access only through Urdu University.
2. Tortoise Rock, B.N.R. Hills, near Durgam Cheruvu: A beautiful single formation, preserved in a road island.
3. Toadstool, Road No. 35, Jubilee Hills: Access only for avid boulderers, undeveloped bouldering area behind Blue Cross.
4. Skull Rock, Hitec City Phase II: Single formation behind Hotel Lemon Tree. Access through parking area of the hotel.
5. Rock formations around Shamirpet Lake, Shamirpet: Among these, Venkateshwara Gutta is highly recommended for rock outings, inspite of a water reservoir being built on the hill top. Extensive hillock with a temple in the rocks; there are many possibilities for walking, climbing, bouldering.
6. Sentinel Rock, near Maula Ali: Single formation with a few surrounding boulders, good for a short climb.
7. Hamburger Rock, near Telecom Nagar, Gachibowli: Impressive single formation; access only through NITHM Compound.
8. Hillocks around Durgam Cheruvu: Beautiful lake between the new Hitec development and the rocks of Jubilee Hills; best viewing from Durgam Cheruvu Lake Resort near Ambedkar Open University.
9. Cliff Rock, Hillock in Road No. 46, Jubilee Hills: No access because of new constructions around the rocks.
10. Bear's Nose, now surrounded by Hotel Trident, behind Cyber Towers, Hitec City: Single formation surrounded by hotel building site; visible from Rock Heights Function Park.
11. Mushroom Rock, HCU: Now this one's a pretty popular hangout spot among the students of HCU.
12. Obelisk, Formation in Road No. 66, Jubilee Hills: Small single formation on a sidewalk.
13. Pathar Dil Rock, Gachibowli: Single formation; access through Urdu University.
14. Rocks at Maula Ali's Dargah, Maula Ali: Big rock dome with famous historical Dargah, with access by flight of steps. There isn't much scope for walking and climbing, but worth a visit for the view from the top!
15. Monster Rock, Formation in Road No. 71, Jubilee Hills: Single formation, no access, good view from Nandagiri Hills and Road no. 71 Jubilee Hills.
16. Mahakali Temple in Golconda Fort, built into the rocks: This one is a classic example of religious activities not interfering with nature.
Also, more and more landscaped rock gardens are emerging near company buildings who are aware of the great asset they possess in the beautiful natural rockscape around them, which is a good sign. Adventure clubs like GHAC regularly organize bouldering, trekking and rappelling meetups for beginners. You should join one and experience the beauty of rocks first-hand!
All pictures courtesy, Society to Save Rocks.
2. Tortoise Rock, B.N.R. Hills, near Durgam Cheruvu: A beautiful single formation, preserved in a road island.
3. Toadstool, Road No. 35, Jubilee Hills: Access only for avid boulderers, undeveloped bouldering area behind Blue Cross.
4. Skull Rock, Hitec City Phase II: Single formation behind Hotel Lemon Tree. Access through parking area of the hotel.
5. Rock formations around Shamirpet Lake, Shamirpet: Among these, Venkateshwara Gutta is highly recommended for rock outings, inspite of a water reservoir being built on the hill top. Extensive hillock with a temple in the rocks; there are many possibilities for walking, climbing, bouldering.
6. Sentinel Rock, near Maula Ali: Single formation with a few surrounding boulders, good for a short climb.
7. Hamburger Rock, near Telecom Nagar, Gachibowli: Impressive single formation; access only through NITHM Compound.
8. Hillocks around Durgam Cheruvu: Beautiful lake between the new Hitec development and the rocks of Jubilee Hills; best viewing from Durgam Cheruvu Lake Resort near Ambedkar Open University.
9. Cliff Rock, Hillock in Road No. 46, Jubilee Hills: No access because of new constructions around the rocks.
10. Bear's Nose, now surrounded by Hotel Trident, behind Cyber Towers, Hitec City: Single formation surrounded by hotel building site; visible from Rock Heights Function Park.
11. Mushroom Rock, HCU: Now this one's a pretty popular hangout spot among the students of HCU.
12. Obelisk, Formation in Road No. 66, Jubilee Hills: Small single formation on a sidewalk.
13. Pathar Dil Rock, Gachibowli: Single formation; access through Urdu University.
14. Rocks at Maula Ali's Dargah, Maula Ali: Big rock dome with famous historical Dargah, with access by flight of steps. There isn't much scope for walking and climbing, but worth a visit for the view from the top!
15. Monster Rock, Formation in Road No. 71, Jubilee Hills: Single formation, no access, good view from Nandagiri Hills and Road no. 71 Jubilee Hills.
16. Mahakali Temple in Golconda Fort, built into the rocks: This one is a classic example of religious activities not interfering with nature.
Also, more and more landscaped rock gardens are emerging near company buildings who are aware of the great asset they possess in the beautiful natural rockscape around them, which is a good sign. Adventure clubs like GHAC regularly organize bouldering, trekking and rappelling meetups for beginners. You should join one and experience the beauty of rocks first-hand!
All pictures courtesy, Society to Save Rocks.
