Tumkur has never been a tourist-friendly district. Even the people, who reside in the city keep complaining about lack of good picnic spots in and around the city. Those who want to get away from the routine life find it hard to search for a decent outing.

Hold on, if you are willing to experiment, there are quite a few places, which will really help you to relax. Definitely one can spend a day or two in these places.

Start your picnic from Siddaganga Kshetra, the ‘Anubhava mantapa’ run by Dr Shivakumara Swamiji. The panoramic view of the Siddaganga hill will take you to a different world altogether.

The next stop can be at Devarayanadurga, 16 km away from Tumkur. This is a picturesque place with hills and vallies. Good thing is that this place will please both religious minded as well as those who want to enjoy the nature.

Atop the hill there is a Yoganarasimha temple and at the bottom is Bhoganarasimha temple. The road connectivity is good even to the top of the hill. The lush green surrounding the hill will be a pleasant surprise for those who visit the place for the first time. A 65 km drive from Tumkur will take you to Yadeyuru, one of the prominent religious places of the district. Sri Siddalingeshwara temple and the stream behind it are the major attractions here. Kaggere, where the Siddalingeshwara swami is supposed to have sat on a meditation, is quite close to Yadeyuru.

Turuvekere and Tiptur areas of the district are known for their cultural activities. Mudalapaya Yakshagana troupes catch the attention if one travels from Yadeyuru to Turuvekere.

The temples at Aralaguppe present an array of Hoysala sculptures. Badarikashrama, which is adjacent to Turuvekere is another cool place for tourists.

Though Chikkanayanakanahalli is bogged down by mining activity a few of the vallies here have still maintained the scenic beauty. Madalingana Kanive is one such example. Kaidala on the outskirts of Tumkur, Moghul memorials of Sira, Vikashila Betta of Madhugiri, Nidagallu Betta near Pavagada, Siddara Betta, which is known for its medicinal plants in Koratagere, Kunigal Doddakere, Markonahalli reservoir are all worth visiting places.
Almost all these spots are well connected by road. Though there are plenty of buses plying to these places it would be better to travel in own vehicle.