[shefeeqyr]

Originally Posted by ravib

NPV said it all !
Its the quickest way to reach Ooty. You got to go through this experience as well at least once. Once you do this, all other hair pin bend driving will be nothing. To answer your original question, Theni-Munnar has long hill drive for several kms/long distance, but not as steep as Masinagudi. In Masinagudi route, in no time you will finish 36 hair pin bends, as the distance/kms is less.
However, if you are not confident or not interested to give it a try, don't do it. As NPV said, the choice is yours!

You have XUV. I would recommend you to go for it ! Roll your windows down, enjoy the scenery (and any wildlife if you are lucky).

-Ravi

And it is a well monitored route with a brake check point half the way. With an XUV, this shouldn't be a route to ponder over, rather the perfect route to take. Drive safe and avoid playing loud music in this route.

[MorePower]

Originally Posted by Acharya

I am visiting Kotagiri (25km from Ooty) next month, planning to take Bangalore-Hosur-Salem-Avinashi-Mettupalayam-kotagiri route.

I know that this route is about 80km longer compared to Mysore-Ooty, but it offers more 4 lane driving and I will avoid ORR like traffic between Bangalore & Mysore.
Anyone done this before, please share your inputs. Thanks!

Went to Kotagiri 2 weeks ago. I took the Mettupalayam route on my way back from Kotagiri. As you said, though this route is longer than the Mysore - Ooty - Kotagiri route, the time taken is more or less the same.

Also it is less tiring.

[prasanna_indaje]

Just back from a weekend trip to Ooty from Bangalore. Couple of updates :
1. Mysore ORR now connects Nanjanagud road. ORR is 4 lane end to end.
2. Kallhatti ghat has a fresh layer of tramac. Smooth roads with clear markings all the way.

I took Kalhatti ghat both ways.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by prasanna_indaje

I took Kalhatti ghat both ways.

Did you drive back via Nanjangud - Mysore - Bangalore? How long did you take?
I came back via Gudalur - Gundlepete - Chamrajnagar - Kanakpura and the drive back took almost 8 hours thanks to the weekend traffic all through. Ooty - Gudalur is a beautiful drive with great roads and we also stopped at pykara lake for a quick spin in the boat

Note: Sasthapuri hotel at Gudalur has ample parking and clean rest-rooms. Food is not bad and they have separate veg & non veg restaurants. A decent option for quick a pit-stop.

[prasanna_indaje]

Originally Posted by procrj

Did you drive back via Nanjangud - Mysore - Bangalore? How long did you take?
I came back via Gudalur - Gundlepete - Chamrajnagar - Kanakpura and the drive back took almost 8 hours thanks to the weekend traffic all through. Ooty - Gudalur is a beautiful drive with great roads and we also stopped at pykara lake for a quick spin in the boat .

Yes. I took Ooty - Masinagudi - Gundlupet - Nanjanagud - Mysore - Bangalore.
Initially thought of returning via Gudalur, but saw that there was no police man to stop downward traffic in Kalhatti ghat and took that road.

[motor_breathing]

I am driving to Ooty next Sunday (8th May) from Bangalore.
I will be driving in an Octavia 1.8TSI. What would be the recommended route to and fro? Octavia ground clearance is more or less adequate for Bangalore speed breakers most of the times.

Thanks in advance, MB

[NPV]

Originally Posted by motor_breathing

I will be driving in an Octavia 1.8TSI. What would be the recommended route to and fro? Octavia ground clearance is more or less adequate for Bangalore speed breakers most of the times.

You can take one of these:
Bangalore-Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet
*Bangalore-Mysore is best taken early morning, say 5am but this means most eateries are not open so negates the choice in a way, plus there is road widening work in progress between Mysore and Nanjangud, mangeable when you start early from Bangalore

OR
Bangalore-Kanakapura-Malavalli-Kollegal-Chamarajanagar-Gundlupet
*Your best option for a break is at Nijaguna Residency, Chamarajanagar. The place also has clean restrooms

From Gundlupet you can take:
Mudumalai-Masinagudi-Ooty
*The 36 hairpin bend route via Masinagudi, scenic and ghat road is in good condition, quickest way to reach Ooty. This route is sometimes not an option in the return direction as cops may not allow, especially during holidays and heavy traffic days

OR
Mudumalai-Gudalur-Ooty
*Road condition is good, recently the bad sections have been patched up

[iamnarayang]

Friends. Thanks for all your advice. Had a great trip to Ooty. Left on Apr 29th morning at 5:30 am from BTM layout. Breakfast at Maddur Tiffanys. Was too early, so very few items were available for breakfast at Tiffanys. Took the Masinagudi route to Ooty and reached at 1:00 PM, after one more coffee break near Gundlupet. The 36 hairpin bend route was fun to drive.

Took the Gudalur route on the way back on Sunday. Left Ooty t 11:30 AM. Made several stops on the way, Pine forest, Kamaraj Sagar dam etc.. Dinner at Maddur at 8:00 PM. The horror started after that. Left Maddur 8:40 pm after Dinner. Traffic was bumper to bumper from Channapatna. Reached BTM layout at 11:40 PM.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by iamnarayang

Friends. Thanks for all your advice. Had a great trip to Ooty. Left on Apr 29th morning at 5:30 am from BTM layout. Breakfast at Maddur Tiffanys. Was too early, so very few items were available for breakfast at Tiffanys. Took the Masinagudi route to Ooty and reached at 1:00 PM, after one more coffee break near Gundlupet. The 36 hairpin bend route was fun to drive.

Took the Gudalur route on the way back on Sunday. Left Ooty t 11:30 AM. Made several stops on the way, Pine forest, Kamaraj Sagar dam etc.. Dinner at Maddur at 8:00 PM. The horror started after that. Left Maddur 8:40 pm after Dinner. Traffic was bumper to bumper from Channapatna. Reached BTM layout at 11:40 PM.

Glad to know you had good experience now with those famous 36 hair pin bends

BTW, how was the weather in Ooty?

[iamnarayang]

Originally Posted by ravib

Glad to know you had good experience now with those famous 36 hair pin bends

BTW, how was the weather in Ooty?

Day time was having intense heat. After sunset it was pleasant and cold in the night.

[eethanhunt]

Any idea of the current state of the road to Ooty? I was told that there is some road widening happening on this route. Any inputs is highly appreciated. I am planning to travel next weekend.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by eethanhunt

Any idea of the current state of the road to Ooty.

I guess you are mentioning about Mysore - Gundlupet road work. It's almost done now, apart from couple of smaller sections no issues.

[redcruiser]

Anyone who has recently visited ooty can please update if it is a good time to visit . I got to know there is too much of crowd in the month of May. Will coorg be a good option then.

[iamnarayang]

Originally Posted by redcruiser

Anyone who has recently visited ooty can please update if it is a good time to visit . I got to know there is too much of crowd in the month of May. Will coorg be a good option then.

I was in Ooty last week. Day time temperature is high. Nights are very pleasant. Not very crowded. Ooty is clean, compared to Bangalore. Will certainly recommend.

[prasanna_indaje]

Originally Posted by redcruiser

Anyone who has recently visited ooty can please update if it is a good time to visit . I got to know there is too much of crowd in the month of May. Will coorg be a good option then.

Both options will be crowded on weekends. If possible travel during weekdays.
Daytime temperature will be around 35 in both places. Ooty will be cooler in the nights.