[jaaz]

Originally Posted by sudhi29

The return was through Gudalur as they allow only local vehicles through the Ooty -Kalhatti- Masinagudi road. I had a word with the policeman there, he said they have made it a one way (except for local vehicles) but he had no idea why!

That's because of Accidents caused due to inexperienced drivers, while going downhill. Few accidents were fatal. All due to rash and negligent drivers. Road condition is good compared to the challenges in laying and maintaining in such terrain.

It's good to avoid, if you're first timer or your Car is too old.

[sagarpadaki]

Travelled onward via Bandipur->Masinagudi->Kalhatti->Ooty. Roads are in Good condition but narrow . The road is steep and the hairpin bends will be a challenge for an inexperienced driver or a badly maintained vehicle. I saw many cars parked on the side with the hood open presumably to allow the engine to cool down.

Return was via the longer but scenic Ooty->Gudalur->Madhumalai->Bandipur route,since the police did not allow non TN registered vehicles in the downhill 36 hairpin bends Kalhatti route. Roads are excellent throughout .

[sriturl]

Couple of weeks back travelled by the standard Kalhatti route while going and Gudalur while coming down.
While going caught up in a weird jam at the entrance of this kalhatti route where there were couple of trailers which entered this route. For few kms this blocked substantial traffic and took time. After overtaking got behind a bus and the road being narrow took long time with no chance to overtake.

Felt like the standard route being good would have taken same time. Probably a one off incident.

Roads upto Kalhatti are narrow and can take time, so if there is a time advantage from Gudalur road, it is subjective.

[Haque]

Planning a trip to Ooty this week with family from Mysore. Would be driving ( ertiga ). Any inputs on current road choices, condition, weather, regulations if any would be highly appreciated.

[rchelamkuri]

We traveled to Bangalore -- Mysore -- Gudalur -- Ooty -- Gudalur -- Banglore on May 7th and the road conditions are good overall. We missed the Masinagudi road as they blocked the main road leading to a narrow bridge. If you want to go through Masinagudi, you have to take a slight left 500 meters before itself. Not sure whether it is the same case now.
Also, the Gudalur has heavy traffic and we lost some 30 minutes inside the town, so better to go via Masinagudi. Ooty also has massive traffic over the weekend.
I hope this helps. Have a safe and enjoyable ride -

[srvm]

Originally Posted by Haque

Planning a trip to Ooty this week with family from Mysore. Would be driving ( ertiga ). Any inputs on current road choices, condition, weather, regulations if any would be highly appreciated.

Originally Posted by rchelamkuri

We traveled to Bangalore -- Mysore -- Gudalur -- Ooty -- Gudalur -- Banglore on May 7th and the road conditions are good overall. We missed the Masinagudi road as they blocked the main road leading to a narrow bridge. If you want to go through Masinagudi, you have to take a slight left 500 meters before itself. Not sure whether it is the same case now.
Also, the Gudalur has heavy traffic and we lost some 30 minutes inside the town, so better to go via Masinagudi. Ooty also has massive traffic over the weekend.
I hope this helps. Have a safe and enjoyable ride -

Typing this while staying at a resort in Masinagudi.
Yes, the Masinagudi route to Ooty is now via the Banyan restaurant road in Mudumalai forest. This is about 100m before the erstwhile fork in the road (also at this fork/junction is the Mudumalai Safari booking office)

This is the weather in Masinagudi right now

[Sonali Singh]

Anyone travelled on this route today? Are the roads clear? Had heard about a road block last week.

Planning to start tomorrow early morning from Bangalore.

[jkrishnakj]

Originally Posted by Sonali Singh

Anyone travelled on this route today? Are the roads clear? Had heard about a road block last week.

Planning to start tomorrow early morning from Bangalore.

If your query was regarding the Masinagudi route, then, an update from my friend from a few days back is that the local authorities are not allowing even Ooty bound traffic and you’ll have to go via Gudalur, unless you can show them that you’ve got a place booked at Masinagudi.

[shankar.balan]

Youre right.
Following the spate of accidents especially those involving KA and KL vehicles, coupled with monsoons, the authorities have disallowed usage of the Sigur Ghats except for people who actually live there or for those driving TN43 registered vehicles or those whose DL’s are issued by the TN43 Nilgiris RTO.
To enforce this they have completely stopped entry into the Masinagudi stretch right at Theppakkadu itself. Unless of course you have a booking at a resort in or around Masinagudi.

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

If your query was regarding the Masinagudi route, then, an update from my friend from a few days back is that the local authorities are not allowing even Ooty bound traffic and you’ll have to go via Gudalur, unless you can show them that you’ve got a place booked at Masinagudi.

[Sonali Singh]

Thank you, all. We took a chance today. It was open in the morning.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Sonali Singh

Anyone travelled on this route today? Are the roads clear? Had heard about a road block last week.

Planning to start tomorrow early morning from Bangalore.

If you are heading to Ooty, beware that its pouring there and too much rains due to SW Monsoon, especially in Gudalur area. Severe storms as well and many trees fell. Life is severely impacted.

Highly NOT recommended to travel to Gudalur/Ooty now until weather improves.

-Ravi

[PaceTraveller]

Hello, traveling to Ooty in under 24 hours from now.
Keen on experiencing nature at its best hence we were thinking of either the Masinagudi route (shortest as per Google maps) or the Tiger Reserve > Gudalur route but given the ongoing rainfalls we are uncertain if we should instead stick to the outer road (via Krishnagiri > Salem > Mettupalyam route). Although it's slightly longer, seems to provide peace of mind that we will be travelling through good / reliable roads for the most part of the journey.

Any feedback/thoughts? Anyone travelled recently (in past week or so) on this route to Ooty and could share their experiences?

Thank you

[ravib]

Originally Posted by PaceTraveller

Hello, traveling to Ooty in under 24 hours from now.
Keen on experiencing nature at its best hence we were thinking of either the Masinagudi route (shortest as per Google maps) or the Tiger Reserve > Gudalur route but given the ongoing rainfalls we are uncertain if we should instead stick to the outer road (via Krishnagiri > Salem > Mettupalyam route). Although it's slightly longer, seems to provide peace of mind that we will be travelling through good / reliable roads for the most part of the journey.

Any feedback/thoughts? Anyone travelled recently (in past week or so) on this route to Ooty and could share their experiences?

Thank you

To be honest, it is best if you delay/defer the travel plans with so much rains. Already there is heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast for Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts and NDRF is deployed.
Strongly advisable to NOT travel now.

Once weather improves, with so much greenery may be next week or so, you can travel via Bandiupur/Theppakadu/Gudalur/Ooty route.

-Ravi

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by ravib

To be honest, it is best if you delay/defer the travel plans with so much rains. Already there is heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast for Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts and NDRF is deployed.
Strongly advisable to NOT travel now.

Originally Posted by PaceTraveller

Hello, traveling to Ooty in under 24 hours from now.
Any feedback/thoughts? Anyone travelled recently (in past week or so) on this route to Ooty and could share their experiences?

Thank you

Second it, there is an orange alert for heavy rainfall. Even the Bangalore-Mysore highway is affected. Postpone the travel if you can.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by PaceTraveller

Hello, traveling to Ooty in under 24 hours from now.

A friend of mine traveled to Ooty today and said it was a good drive with light drizzles. He took Kanakapura - Malavalli route.