[ravibhat]

Hi Ranjit,

While climbing the ghat best route if you want to save time is Karwar - Baaleguli (near Ankola where you turn left to NH63 ) - yellapur - hubli. Wide road and not much ghat section. So this would save time while driving.

Second best route and most scenic is Karwar - Ankola - Mirjan - Devimane ghat - Sirsi - Siddapur - Talguppa - sagar - shimoga - bangalore.

We can discuss.

Regards,

Ravi.

[asdon]

Hi Ravi, I am planning for a Goa trip, via Shimoga - Sagar - Honnavar - Karwar, last month I visited Jog falls, so aware of the road till that. My question is how good will be the road from karwar - honnavar - Sagar as not many has suggested this route for a return trip to Bangalore. any idea? is that for the ghat section?

[ravibhat]

Honnavar to Karwar NH17 is in worst condition with lot of bad stretches everywhere you can see dust. I felt like Bellary autmosphere in NH17.

Today I am back Bangalore.

Last week I took Bangalore - Chitradurga - haveri - Sirsi - Devimane Ghat - Mirjan - Ankola. After Chitradurga few diversions and potholes. but managable. Alternate route is Karwar - Ankola - Mirjan - Devimane ghat - Sirsi - Siddapur - saagr - Jog Falls.

While coming back Ankola - Devimane Ghat - Sirsi - Siddapur - Talguppa - Sagar - Shimoga (Till Shimoga except for 5km road is excellant) - Tumkur - Bangalore. This route between Shimoga and Tarikere is not good at all. At least 50km bad stretch in this Shimoga highway. I don't recommand Shimoga highway.

I wonder when government show good roads in India ?

So whoever travel towards Sirsi, goa, Karwar take Chitradurga highway.

Regards,

Ravi.

[girish.r]

Originally Posted by ravibhat

While coming back Ankola - Devimane Ghat - Sirsi - Siddapur - Talguppa - Sagar - Shimoga (Till Shimoga except for 5km road is excellant) - Tumkur - Bangalore. This route between Shimoga and Tarikere is not good at all. At least 50km bad stretch in this Shimoga highway. I don't recommand Shimoga highway.

I wonder when government show good roads in India ?

So whoever travel towards Sirsi, goa, Karwar take Chitradurga highway.

Regards,

Ravi.

Hi Ravi,

If one has to still take Shimoga route then there is one more route that I know and I am sure most of you people may be knowing. This route would be: Bangalore - Chitradurga - Harihar and at the Harihar bypass-city road junction take left that goes to Shimoga via Honnalli. I am not sure what is the current condition of this stretch and as far as I remember this route has a small ghat section as well and after the ghat the drive is a scenic enroute Honnalli. All NWRTC express buses from Hubli to Shimoga (or those coming through Hubli) will take right diversion at Harihar and take this Honnalli route and this happens to be the main route for all the buses from Hubli and because of this reason the roads may be well maintained but as I said I am not sure about the current condition.
Now coming from Bangalore side, Blore to Harihar would be 4:15 hrs and from Harihar to Shimoga would be 1:30 hrs (again not sure) and that would be a total of 5:45 or ~ 6hrs. Update me if you have any info on this route, may be this could help someone who wants to enjoy the scenic beauty enroute Shimoga.

Thanks & Regards,
Girish

[hvkumar]

I have taken the Harihar-Shimoga road several times (optimal route to go to Shimoga while coming from Bombay), and distance is as follows:

Harihar-Malebennur 22 kms-Honnali 17-Shimoga 42, totalling 81 kms.
Takes almost 2 hours.
Road has never been impressive, even in post-rain seasons.
Road is not only narrow but usually has potholes.
No idea about current conditions

[condor]

Kumar, when was the last time you did this route ? I have done Harihar -Honnali last year, and road was good.

I am not aware of Honnali - Shimoga, though

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by condor

Kumar, when was the last time you did this route ? I have done Harihar -Honnali last year, and road was good.

I am not aware of Honnali - Shimoga, though

My last trip was over a year ago. I first went on that road in 1998 and on and off after that; the road was never inspiring.

[ravibhat]

Girish you are right about BUSes take that route. I havenot travelled yet in that route. One more route is Chitradurga - Chenngiri - Shimoga (around 100km). I have travelled in this route 5 years back to attend wedding in Shimoga from Bellary and then travelled to Bangalore in the afternoon. I don't know current status of the route.

I suggest If one wants to take shimoga route to go to karwar, Goa and enjoy scenic road, try exploring Bangalore - Chitradurga (200km can cover in 3 hours) - HolalKere - Channagiri - Shimoga(110km in 3 hours or less, don't know about road condition although it looks smooth from Chitradurga and Shimoga end). This is right road to reach Shimoga who come from Chitradurga side. I feel Mines lorries might be taking this route.

I remember TBHPian who came from Mumbai/Pune side has taken Harihara - Honnali - Shimoga route last year and he said good road with very less potholes. Over all good road he said. This is the right road who come from Hubli side. I feel Mines lorries might be taking this route too.

Regards,

Ravi.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by ravibhat

I suggest If one wants to take shimoga route to go to karwar, Goa and enjoy scenic road, try exploring Bangalore - Chitradurga (200km can cover in 3 hours) - HolalKere - Channagiri - Shimoga(110km in 3 hours or less, don't know about road condition although it looks smooth from Chitradurga and Shimoga end). This is right road to reach Shimoga who come from Chitradurga side. I feel Mines lorries might be taking this route.

I remember TBHPian who came from Mumbai/Pune side has taken Harihara - Honnali - Shimoga route last year and he said good road with very less potholes. Over all good road he said. This is the right road who come from Hubli side. I feel Mines lorries might be taking this route too.

Regards,

Ravi.

I have been on NH13 from Chitradurga to Shimoga a couple of years ago, and the road had pot-holes at many places, although you can maintain good speeds. Road is quite lonely.

Distance particulars are as follows:

Chitradurga (NH4 junction)-Hollalkere 30 kms-Chennagiri 32-Shimoga 45, totalling 107 kms. I took 1 hr 40 mts on his route to reach Bhadravathi.

At Chennagiri, you can turn left and go direct to Bhadravathi, 35 kms.

Happily, mining lorries do not take the Harihar-Shimoga route!

[deadguy25]

I took the road to Goa through Hubli and Karwar. The road was in good shape. Did the trip in April. Started from Bangalore at 7:00 pm, stopped in Hubli for the night and left the next morning from Hubli through Karwar to Goa.

[saurabhdaga]

Hi - I am planning a road trip to Goa on the 4th Oct - planning to leave Bangalore around 4 AM - with wife and 2 kids 5yrs and 2.5 yr olds.

I would appreciate of someone can help me plan the route - I have seen many posts here and all of them talk about different routes - however if someone has done this trip recently can best guide as to which route to take -

I have a santro XL that I am taking with me.

Regards, Saurabh

[ravibhat]

I suggest take Bangalore - tumkur - Chitradurga - Hubli - Ankola - Karwar - Goa. Expect 50km bad roads but easily managable in Santro too.

While coming back take Goa - Sawantwadi - Amboli - Belgaum - Hubli - Chitradurga - Tumkur - Bangalore. Expect 50km bad road in this too but easily managable in Santro.

Regards,

Ravi.

[CorsaLove]

Originally Posted by ravibhat

I suggest take Bangalore - tumkur - Chitradurga - Hubli - Ankola - Karwar - Goa. Expect 50km bad roads but easily managable in Santro too.

While coming back take Goa - Sawantwadi - Amboli - Belgaum - Hubli - Chitradurga - Tumkur - Bangalore. Expect 50km bad road in this too but easily managable in Santro.

Regards,

Ravi.

This route is the best as if now and you can take the same karwar-hubli route on your return journey also. Just avoid the Karwar - Hubli Stretch in the night between 10 PM and 6 AM as the manganese trucks take over the road and it can be dangerous.

Have a safe trip.

[rameshp]

Hi,

I am planning to drive down to Goa on the Oct 3 with my wife and son in my Wagon R. I have seen a number of updates posted on this forum and am fairly clear about the route to choose from Bangalore to Goa. As for the return route, I am planning to go to Gokarna and then to Bhadravati nr Shimoga. I would appreciate if anyone could help with the road updates on the route after Gokarna upto Honnavar / Shimoga.

Ram

[saurabhdaga]

Originally Posted by ravibhat

I suggest take Bangalore - tumkur - Chitradurga - Hubli - Ankola - Karwar - Goa. Expect 50km bad roads but easily managable in Santro too.

While coming back take Goa - Sawantwadi - Amboli - Belgaum - Hubli - Chitradurga - Tumkur - Bangalore. Expect 50km bad road in this too but easily managable in Santro.

Regards,

Ravi.

Thanks Ravi - I am still not sure about Hubli - Karwar route - I hear the road from Hubli to KArwar via Ankola is not good - as the road condition is very pathetic. Do you think driving to Belgaum is better then detour towards Goa. Pls suggest