[Saddy-31]

Just back from Gokarna/Kumta. Travelled with 4 adults and 2 kids in my Nexon. Onward journey, we started at 5.30 am from Hebbal, touched Nh48 in no time. Took Bangalore - Haveri- Sirsi route. Till Haveri its 3 lane highway and can maintain good speed. There are limited food ptions on this highway though. Took left from Haveri and real fun started there
Its a single road, which is in good condition till Sirsi (with some bad patches in between). However, after Sirsi it was curvy ghat road with lot of pathholes and construction all over the place. There are no decent hotels also. Could maintain avg speed of ~30 kmph. Finally reached Kumta at 4.30 pm with 2-3 breaks .
On return, visited Honnawar boating, jog falls, stayed in Shimoga overnight and took Shimiga- chennapatna- Bangalore nh75 road. Till Chennapatna its single road in decent condition and Chennapatna to Bangalore in Nh75 in excellent conditiion with plenty of hoteld to eat .

[theredliner]

What is the best route to reach the coast around Honnavara from Yellapura? I really wanted to do Yellapura - Ankola and drive on the coastal highway, but the Yellapura to Ankola stretch is in a bad condition apparently.
I am now thinking of doing Yellapura - Sirsi - Siddapura - Honnavara. Any idea how that stretch is?
Thanks.

[gypsyFreak]

Team, I am doing a trip to Gokarna this weekend. This was a last minute addition, so have not booked hotels yet.
Can you please suggest good hotels to accomdate family (2 adults and 1 kid).

I assume Kumta - Sirsi is still under construction. Any alternatives from Gokarna to visit Yana and Sahashralinga?

[haribalram]

Planning a drive from Bengaluru to Gokarna by middle of Dec. Is the route in the quoted post still the best option? The Sirsi-Kumta route appears to be under construction. Thanks.

Originally Posted by ant_vas

Tumkur - Sira - Hiriyur - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta

The Tumkur stretch has been newly relaid and driving now on this stretch is so much more comfortable compared to earlier pothole filled bumpy ride. Till ranebennur the road is simply superb.

One you turn off at Ranebennur towards Hirekerur, the double lane roads (without divider) are in really good condition with very minimal bus/truck traffic. It's the same all the way till Siddapur. Roads in Ghat section are good. As we near Kumta there is construction work happening and there are few diversion and patches where jelly has been laid and waiting for tarring. It's easily manageable.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by haribalram

Planning a drive from Bengaluru to Gokarna by middle of Dec. Is the route in the quoted post still the best option? The Sirsi-Kumta route appears to be under construction. Thanks.

The safest option in my opinion is still the roundabout route. Bangalore-Hubli bypass - Yellapur - Ankola - Gokarna.

With a 4AM start you should be able to make it by 1230/1330.

The route via Siddapur as well as the one via Sirsi are always difficult ones.

[raghu13uk]

Originally Posted by haribalram

Planning a drive from Bengaluru to Gokarna by middle of Dec. Is the route in the quoted post still the best option? The Sirsi-Kumta route appears to be under construction. Thanks.

I took this route 15 days back both to and from, and it is in excellent condition. Only 3-5 km between Siddapur-Kumta stretch is single road (still good condition). However getting the oncoming vehicle is rare in this section.

If you start at 4am from Bangalore then you should be able to avoid much of traffic/people in the village section.

Though the Yellapur is much known route I avoid it because of the heavy trucks in that ghat which cause traffic jams when it breaks down (had to wait 2 hours each both ways last year).

[raghu13uk]

Originally Posted by theredliner

What is the best route to reach the coast around Honnavara from Yellapura? I really wanted to do Yellapura - Ankola and drive on the coastal highway, but the Yellapura to Ankola stretch is in a bad condition apparently.
I am now thinking of doing Yellapura - Sirsi - Siddapura - Honnavara. Any idea how that stretch is?
Thanks.

I did Yellapur - Siddapur last beginning of this year and Sidaapur - Kumta 15 days back. Both sections are good.

Apparently there is no direct route to Honavar from Siddapur. Though there is one short cut somewhere at Mavinkuli, the locals advise not to take because it doesn't support cars. They said they had to rescue people during last rainy season. Take that route only after checking at the shops at the junction.

Instead you can take diversion at Chandravar.

So, beware of Siddapur - Mavinakuli - Honavar
Try Siddapur - Chandravar - Honavar
Or just Siddapur - Kumta - Honavar

[haribalram]

Started from Sarjapur Rd at 4 AM and arrived at Stonewood resort in Gokarna at 1230, with a 30 mins break at Shiva hotel (between Davanagere and Ranibennur) for breakfast. Drove sedately.

Route:

Tumkur - Sira - Hiriyur - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta

I didn't touch Ranibennur and followed GMaps from Shiva Hotel towards Soraba.

This is a driver's route, pretty scenic with very limited traffic. Except for ~20 kms (in the entire stretch of 206 kms from Ranibennur) the roads are very good. Enjoyed the drive.

Between Siddapur and Kumta, in the ghats section, no mobile connectivity for large parts. Thankfully, there is just 1 road and GMaps had the route cached.

There aren't too many eating options on the way. I was too early for Apoorva and was lucky to spot Shiva Hotel. This is a decent option for south Indian breakfast.

I am thinking of taking the longer Hubli route on my way back.

Originally Posted by haribalram

Planning a drive from Bengaluru to Gokarna by middle of Dec. Is the route in the quoted post still the best option? The Sirsi-Kumta route appears to be under construction. Thanks.

[haribalram]

Return route [591 kms] Gokarna - Yellapur - Hubli by pass - Bengaluru. Started at 630AM and reached in 9h30m, with 2 breaks in between.

Didn't have to touch Ankola. There is a pretty decent inside road that connects NH66 to NH52. Saves time and distance. Google shows this route.

The section before Yellapur is broken at some places. Had to drive carefully to avoid those sudden deep potholes. Road asphalting happening in stretches after Yellapur.

I would suggest the Davanagere - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta - Gokarna route over this. The road near Kumta should also get fixed in about a month or so.

Originally Posted by haribalram

Started from Sarjapur Rd at 4 AM and arrived at Stonewood resort in Gokarna at 1230, with a 30 mins break at Shiva hotel (between Davanagere and Ranibennur) for breakfast. Drove sedately.

Route:

Tumkur - Sira - Hiriyur - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta

I am thinking of taking the longer Hubli route on my way back.

[kiran_aithal]

Originally Posted by haribalram

Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura

Heard about a month ago that the Soraba - Siddapura road is broken at many places. Is it fixed now?

Originally Posted by haribalram

The road near Kumta should also get fixed in about a month or so.

Good to hear this.

[haribalram]

Originally Posted by kiran_aithal

Heard about a month ago that the Soraba - Siddapura road is broken at many places. Is it fixed now?

Good to hear this.

Yes, didn't see any stretch that was difficult to negotiate.

[naveenvenkatesh]

Planning a trip to Gokarna on Friday, 13th Jan. Will be leaving around 3ish from Bangalore and staying over night at Davengere. What is the best route from Davangere to Gokarna? Is this still the best: Davanagere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta?

Google maps shows so many different routes, there is also one via Shimogga

[haribalram]

Originally Posted by naveenvenkatesh

What is the best route from Davangere to Gokarna? Is this still the best: Davanagere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta?

Google maps shows so many different routes, there is also one via Shimogga

Yes. You could even take an earlier exit from the highway after Hotel Shiva (between Davanagere & Ranebennur). This might spare you some toll. Sirsi route to be avoided.

[sbr1304]

Travelled on Saturday on this route to Kumta.
Blr-Davanagere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapura - Kumta
The roads are good just like mentioned in earlier posts by fellow friends.
Only bit of rough roads just before reaching kumta, especially one patch of about 1km was laden with big jelly stones which I felt are really tough on tyres especially for a sedan.

Am still planning to take same road tomorrow as I am not aware if the Sirsi Devimane ghat road has been fixed.

[sbr1304]

[quote=sbr1304;5699296]
Only bit of rough roads just before reaching kumta, especially one patch of about 1km was laden with big jelly stones which I felt are really tough on tyres especially for a sedan.
Took the same route back.
Attached pic for reference, it is definitely manageable.
It's exactly 1km.
I think this is best route as of today from bangalore to kumta.
Hotel shiva turn is a good tip to avoid unnecessary toll