Trekking at Fyle: 3 AM Alarms, Endless Steps, and Absolutely No Regrets
At Fyle, waking up at 3 AM to climb a mountain isn’t unusual, it’s something we keep coming back to. Over the past few years, weekend treks have become our regime. No formal planning, no big announcements, just a Slack message from someone who’s enthu asking if anyone’s up for a climb. There’s always a group ready to go.
Hi folks, I’m Sayonee from Fyle’s product marketing team, and I’ve had the fortune of being a part of some of these awesome treks. In this blog, I’ll take you through how we go about planning these treks, why we do them, and why they’ve become so important to us!
Since 2022, we’ve covered all these treks a few times around Bangalore ⛰️:
Skandagiri – Famous for its stunning sunrise views and a steep final stretch.
Kaiwarabetta – We’ve done this so many times that, at this point, it’s Fyle’s own hill.
Makalidurga – A mix of boulder hopping and history, with fort ruins at the top.
Savandurga – One of Asia’s largest monoliths and an absolute leg burner. (This is where Sholay was shot, btw).
Chinagabetta – A shorter yet steep trail that ends with a little rock climbing.
Kodachadri – A tough forest trek with stunning peak views.
Here are some pictures of the stunning views (and us) over the years:
As a Bangalorean, I thought I knew the city and its surroundings well, but I had no idea so many incredible treks were just a short drive away. Discovering these trails has been an unexpected but amazing experience, and I’m glad I did.
In the past few months, many of these trekking spots around Bangalore were closed, which meant we had to take a break from our usual climbs. But now that they’ve reopened, we’ll be sure to go back for more.
How It Happens
This is how it usually goes down:
Someone drops a message on Slack.
A few brave souls (usually 4-6 of us) decide that, yes, climbing a mountain before dawn sounds like a fantastic idea.
We sort out cars, tickets, and a meeting point - all while questioning our life choices.
And then we actually climb. 🧗
The Fyle Trek Experience
Every trek starts the same way: an absurdly early meeting time at 3 or 4 AM. Groggy but determined, we get into cars, turn up the music, and spend the two-hour drive discussing everything from work gossip to deep existential questions (or just vibing in comfortable silence).
By 6 AM, we reach the base and start the climb. Some treks are easier than others, but we always stick together. Yitzhak (from our people team) leads the way, occasionally doubling back to check on folks who get stuck (the people questioning all their life decisions mid-trek). The group energy is always high—whether we’re helping each other over steep rocks or laughing at someone who insisted, “this should be easy” five minutes before gasping for breath.
And then, the best part: reaching the top. That, along with getting some pretty pictures, makes everything worth it. The quiet, the endless sky, the view, the sunrise - there’s nothing quite like it. 🌅
One of our colleagues, Kamalini, had very generously packed and brought us yummy food on a few treks, and needless to say, we devoured it at the peak.
The Descent (AKA, "When's Breakfast?")
Climbing down is faster but much less patient. The sun is up, we’re sweaty, and everyone just wants to eat. Tradition dictates that we stop for breakfast on the way back, whether it’s at Adyar Ananda Bhavan or Ajantha, we always find a place to refuel.
By the time we finally get home, the exhaustion hits, but so do the happy hormones. Kicking off the day with a trek has a way of making everything else feel easier.
Why This Has Become a Fyle Tradition
Somehow, these treks have become a part of Fyle’s culture. There’s always a group of people ready to say yes to testing their endurance, and pushing themselves a little more each time.
There’s something about waking up before dawn, challenging yourself physically, and spending the morning outdoors that sets the tone for the rest of the day. It’s the kind of thing that seems like a terrible idea the night before but always ends up being worth it. And it’s safe to say, we’ll keep doing more of it.
It’s not just about the treks, though. Over time, staying active together has become second nature, whether it’s these early morning climbs or our regular Saturday runs at Cubbon Park, where a group of us gathers to clock in a few kilometers before heading for breakfast.
At Fyle, there’s space for every kind of adventurer - paragliders (yes, we have those), mountaineers (these too 🤯), swimmers, runners, and more. With so many people pursuing different outdoor passions, there’s always something exciting happening, and everyone is encouraged to find what they love.