[Fortuner71]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Anybody traveled the Theppakadu-Gudalur stretch recently? How is the road condition? When I traveled in September, this stretch was in pretty bad condition with several broken stretches with large pot holes? Has this section been patched?

Still bad I did this in November

[HKP]

Last week I drove to Ooty from Bangalore.

While going took the Bangalore- Mysore (State highway)- Nanjangud- Gundulpet- Masinagudi -Ooty. Started from Bangalore at 5:30 and was in Ooty by 12:30 PM. Gudulpet-Masinagudi-ooty is narrow road, steep climbs and 36 hairpin bends. Only cars and small vehicles are allowed in this route. Road condition also is not very great and my 2 kids had a puking competition!! I was feeling pity on the i20, had to engage in 1st gear in many of the climbs.

While return took the Ooty-Pykara-Gudalur-Gundulpet-Nanjangud-Mysore-Bangalore route. Compared to the other route to Gundulpet this one has wider roads and without any hairpins, road condition is also fine (Bus route). But longer distance. No one puked and we had a pleasant ride on this scenic route. Pine forest, tea plantations and many other spots to stop and take pics. See some pics from the journey back.

Plantations

Pine Forests


Return journey took 8.5 hours to reach Bangalore thanks to Mysore- Bangalore traffic. I don't take the Kollegal- Malavalli (NH 209) for Mysore-Bangalore usually because no proper eateries and also it reaches bannerghatta road. I have to reach old airport road and it takes longer after reaching Bangalore. Not sure if there is any short cut to reach this side yet. If anyone knows let me know.

\\hkp

[rohitm]

Drove on Kanakpura Chamarajnagar Masinagudi Kalhatti Ooty route both to and fro and took exactly 5 hours driving time from Home @ Bannerghatta Road to Charring Cross Ooty. This is with sedate but steady driving. The road is excellent except for some uneven patches between Chamarajnagar and Gundlupet and in between Madumalai and start of the climb up.

[Gokrish]

Originally Posted by HKP

Last week I drove to Ooty from Bangalore.

While return took the Ooty-Pykara-Gudalur-Gundulpet-Nanjangud-Mysore-Bangalore route. Compared to the other route to Gundulpet this one has wider roads and without any hairpins, road condition is also fine (Bus route). But longer distance. No one puked and we had a pleasant ride on this scenic route. Pine forest, tea plantations and many other spots to stop and take pics. See some pics from the journey back.

Dear HKP

How is the road condition on this route? Heard from fellow bhpians that condition was really worse till some time ago! Full of potholes and bad tarmac!

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by HKP

I have to reach old airport road and it takes longer after reaching Bangalore. Not sure if there is any short cut to reach this side yet. If anyone knows let me know.

There are no shortcuts as such. However previously when I used to stay near old airport road (Murugeshpalaya) while coming from NH 209 if it was late (hence less traffic) I would take the Banasankari bus stand - Jayanagar - Dairy circle - Ejipura - Domlur route. Past 11.00 PM this route wont have any traffic snarls usually.
In case I am reaching earlier than that I used to take Kanakpura NICE road till Hosur road then silk board - Bellandur - Marathahalli- HAL.

[HKP]

Originally Posted by Gokrish

Dear HKP

How is the road condition on this route? Heard from fellow bhpians that condition was really worse till some time ago! Full of potholes and bad tarmac!

Compared to the Masinagudi route I found this route much better. There are potholes occasionally but did not find anything alarming as such.

\\hkp

[creative420]

Which will be a relatively safer road for a newbie highway-driver in a new car? Via Masinagusi or Gudlur? Also, any list of dos and don'ts while crossing Bandipur? I have heard taking spirits is completely a no-no. True?

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by creative420

Which will be a relatively safer road for a newbie highway-driver in a new car? Via Masinagusi or Gudlur? Also, any list of dos and don'ts while crossing Bandipur? I have heard taking spirits is completely a no-no. True?

Gudalur route would be the better option for a newbie driver. Masinagudi route is a steep climb with 36 hair pin bends.

The Tamil nadu police do stop you at the tn border and ask you where you are headed and may ask whether you are carrying alcohol. If you are with family they don't tend to ask or check the vehicle. If it is a group of guys I assume the scrutinize more.
The bandipur stretch has a lot of speed bumps. So watch out for those.

[Gokrish]

Originally Posted by creative420

Which will be a relatively safer road for a newbie highway-driver in a new car? Via Masinagusi or Gudlur? Also, any list of dos and don'ts while crossing Bandipur? I have heard taking spirits is completely a no-no. True?

In terms of safety of both driving and occupants, Gudalur is better though a little longer route. Sigur Ghat route is shorter and is generally suitable for climbing up. Have seen quite a few vehicles breaking down while coming down the ghat. And at times, the route is closed for traffic due to elephant menace.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by creative420

Which will be a relatively safer road for a newbie highway-driver in a new car? Via Masinagusi or Gudlur? Also, any list of dos and don'ts while crossing Bandipur? I have heard taking spirits is completely a no-no. True?

I would suggest take the Gudalur route. But account for at least an extra 2 hours of drive. Gudalur stretch is not as a steep as the Masinagudi one.

[creative420]

Originally Posted by ampere

I would suggest take the Gudalur route. But account for at least an extra 2 hours of drive. Gudalur stretch is not as a steep as the Masinagudi one.

Additional 2 hours? Is it such a bad road or what? Google says it will take 30 more kms via Gudalur.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by creative420

Additional 2 hours? Is it such a bad road or what? Google says it will take 30 more kms via Gudalur.

Don't go by Google maps timings.
Its additional 40 kms, and the last i heard was the road conditions in Gudalur route is not good. Folks who traveled recently can give an update.
So obviously your driving speed will be low and time is more.

Ampere is right, it will can take anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hours more in terms of driving time. Since you are a newdriver, and driving in ghat roads you need to be more careful.

-Ravi

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by creative420

Additional 2 hours? Is it such a bad road or what? Google says it will take 30 more kms via Gudalur.

that is 30-40kms on ghat sections,so dont calculate timings the way you would on plains.

[creative420]

So I'm all set to start early at about 5:00am tomorrow morning. Food items have been bought from Sangam sweets (Khakhra, Papdi and Gujju farsan), so I'm not going to take a food pitstop anywhere. Also, I'm bored of eating the same old food on Mysore highway, thanks to my office trips to Sriranagpatna for a bi-monthly client meet.

I'm planning to take Bangalore - Malavali - Kolegal - Chamrajnagara - Gudalur - Ooyt road. The reason for choosing this route is...fromw hat I've read in the last 4-5 pages on this thread...is that it's quite a stress-free route. And I might come back via the same route as well.

Can you guys suggest more places after Gundalpet where one can enjoy some scenery? I've heard of Avalanche. I've heard of couple of reservoirs. Anything else?

I'll be leaving from Ooty at around 1pm on Sunday. Also, if anyone is planning to drive down from Ooty at the same time, maybe we can double up and stick together while coming back.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by creative420

Can you guys suggest more places after Gundalpet where one can enjoy some scenery?

You can check out Gopalswamy betta, it is a small deviation ~ 11KM's from Gundulapet - Ooty road.