[cruzindeep]

G'day

I am planning for a Bangalore-Goa (Varca to be specific) trip in a couple of weeks time. Going through the thread, I notice that the following route option is not talked about much: Bangalore-Tumkur-Haveri-Bankapur(NH4)-Mundgod(SH6)-Yellapur(NH63)-Ankola(NH17)-Karwar-Varca. Has anyone taken this route off late? Any feedback - specifically the SH6 bit between Bankapur-Yellapur?

We are travelling with a couple of kids (< 6yrs) & will be doing day driving only in a Scorpio.

Cheers
Shub

[praful]

Originally Posted by bullinb

I did too. You need to take a sharp right just before Khanapur town. The signage here says to Yellapur. Continue upto Beedi and take the left turn in the middle of the village towards Kittur.

I actually saw the Yellapur turn off and remember it too but I was actually looking for a signboard that said Beedi/Kittur!!!

[bullinb]

Originally Posted by cruzindeep

I am planning for a Bangalore-Goa (Varca to be specific)

Slightly OT, why don't you consider Bangalore - Tumkur - Shimoga - Honnavar - Karwar route. It has been reported to be very good. I drove from Bangalore to Shimoga over the last weekend and the road was very good. I was told that it gets better beyond Shimoga. I guess it is shorter than the option you mentioned.

During the day, the stretch between Chitradurga - Haveri can get very very nasty with mile long traffic jams.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by bullinb

Slightly OT, why don't you consider Bangalore - Tumkur - Shimoga - Honnavar - Karwar route. It has been reported to be very good. I drove from Bangalore to Shimoga over the last weekend and the road was very good. I was told that it gets better beyond Shimoga. I guess it is shorter than the option you mentioned.

During the day, the stretch between Chitradurga - Haveri can get very very nasty with mile long traffic jams.

+1 to that. Thats the best route as of today.

[cruzindeep]

@bullinb, @Ampere - thanks for the inputs. I will stick to the option you have suggested & will report back on my return.

Cheers.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by cruzindeep

@bullinb, @Ampere - thanks for the inputs. I will stick to the option you have suggested & will report back on my return.

Cheers.

By the way you can also consider :

Bangalore - Tumkur - Shimoga - Talguppa - Sirsi - Yellapore - Ankola - Karwar - Goa

[SamuraiJack]

Best route- roads through Dandelli/Yellapur are messed up, just did this trip this weekend.

Went through Dandelli and came back from Belgaum.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by SamuraiJack

Went through Dandelli and came back from Belgaum.

Which route exactly did you take for Dandeli? Via Haliyal?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by SamuraiJack

Best route- roads through Dandelli/Yellapur are messed up, just did this trip this weekend.

Went through Dandelli and came back from Belgaum.

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Which route exactly did you take for Dandeli? Via Haliyal?

This may be possible. The stretch from Yellapore to Dandeli can be bad. But I guess the road till Yellapore via Shimoga/Sirsi should be good. Is that what you meant SamuraiJack?

[Bose]

Did Bangalore-Goa and back last weekend.
Bangalore -Goa - Friday
Goa-Bangalore - Monday

To Goa - Took the Amboli-Sawantwadi
To Bangalore - Took the Molem, Khanapur route

NH4A is awesome now. Did not risk it while going because it was late afternoon but now feel that I could have. The drive while coming back was a breeze. All the horror stories about Anmod-ghat is history now. Roads are new.
Took the SH31 shorcut from Khanapur. Road was reasonable for the Safari.
I think I saved close to 2 hours on my way back.
That would be exactly 12 hours to reach ORR on way back.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Bose

Did Bangalore-Goa and back last weekend.
Bangalore -Goa - Friday
Goa-Bangalore - Monday

To Goa - Took the Amboli-Sawantwadi
To Bangalore - Took the Molem, Khanapur route

NH4A is awesome now. Did not risk it while going because it was late afternoon but now feel that I could have. The drive while coming back was a breeze. All the horror stories about Anmod-ghat is history now. Roads are new.
Took the SH31 shorcut from Khanapur. Road was reasonable for the Safari.
I think I saved close to 2 hours on my way back.
That would be exactly 12 hours to reach ORR on way back.

I did not get it. Sawantwadi is between Bombay and Goa right?
Where does it figure on a Bangalore Goa route?

[Bose]

Originally Posted by ampere

I did not get it. Sawantwadi is between Bombay and Goa right?
Where does it figure on a Bangalore Goa route?

Go upto Belgaum and then take SH121 and reach Sawantwadi.
You are right that it is on the Mumbai-Goa route.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Bose

Go upto Belgaum and then take SH121 and reach Sawantwadi.
You are right that it is on the Mumbai-Goa route.

I was aware of that route. But what got me confused was why should one goto Sawantwadi from Banaglore to go to Goa. Thats roundabout; right?

[bullinb]

Originally Posted by ampere

I was aware of that route. But what got me confused was why should one goto Sawantwadi from Banaglore to go to Goa. Thats roundabout; right?

Yes it is. It adds about 80km. It was the best alternative when when NH4A (Balgaum - Ponda - Panjim) used to be horrendous. Right now the detour does not make any sense.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by bullinb

Yes it is. It adds about 80km. It was the best alternative when when NH4A (Balgaum - Ponda - Panjim) used to be horrendous. Right now the detour does not make any sense.

OK Thanks. That explains it. My initial perception was that Sawantwadi is more towards Mumbai than towards Goa. This settles it.