I am writing a full report, as requested by some fellow members and for people who have not taken this route.
Route : Bangalore ~ Srirangapatna ~ Hunsur ~ Tithimathi ~ Gonikoppal ~ Perumpady ~ Makuta ~ Kootupozha ~ Iritty ~ Mattanur ~ Kannur.
Distance : 315 Kms (Bangalore GPO to Kannur GPO)
Ride : Tata Indica DLX TC
Date Of Journey : 16th April 2009
Time Taken : 6.5 Hrs (including 45 min of break)
As every one knows about the road condition of the Bangalore Mysore highway, I am not including this stretch in the report.
The road from the Srirangapatna to Yelvala (mysore bypass to go towards madikeri) is Ok as it is recently patched.
From Yelvala to Hunsur the road is super and scenic and done-up recently.
One can reach Hunsur from Bangalore in 3 hrs while maintaining an average speed of 90 ~ 110.
Once you cross Hunsur there is a Y junction after 5 Kms. You have to take the left lead which leads you to gonikoppal (the right road will lead you to Kushalnagar) This is a single road but good stretch, One had to be careful of the oncoming vehicles as you may have to take your vehicle off the road to give way.
After 7 Kms from the Y junction the Jungle starts. Though the road is good, one should be careful as the road is single and there are some sharp turns. 4Kms into the jungle leads you to the Forest Check post.
After 6 Kms from the Forest Check post you will reach an arch bearing the name Rajiv Gandhi National Park, This is the entrance of Tithimathi, its a small town where you can find some tea-stalls in case you are travelling in the night.
After 10 Kms from Tithimathi, you will reach Gonikoppal. Here you can stop for food at the Kamath Hotel (opposite Bus stand). This hotel is open from 6 Am to 10 Pm ans is famous for good food. This town also has a Tata Dealership cum service centre.
After 12 Kms from Gonikoppal you will reach a stretch where you will find paddy fields on both sides of the road.
Exactly 5 kms before Virajpet town there is a Y junction. You have to take the left lead which leads you to Maakuta (the right road will lead you to Virajpet). After this Y junction you will find two more Y junctions, which might confuse you. Keep taking the left side on both of these. You will get a 2 Km of bad road before you reach Perumpady Checkpost. But the taring of the same is going on and may be completed in 2 weeks.
After you cross Perumpady Checkpost, the road is good for next 4 Kms.
Here is where the work for the road is going on for the next 12 Kms.
The debris of the old road piled on both sides.
On the Dirt Track
For the next 3 Kms you can cruise at 30~40 KMPH, after which next 3 Kms (near the hanuman temple) they are just putting the mud.
Again after the 3 Kms the road is laid by mud till maakuta.
You will find culverts been constructed after passing the temple.
Finally you reach Maakuta
After which the road is good till the Police check-post
After crossing the Check-post you reach Kootupozha Bridge
Thereafter the road is good for the rest of the journey(40 Kms) till Kannur.