[VindyWheels]

NPV, this is their second unit, a new one. Not exactly opposite CCD, but nearby on the opposite side. Seemed to be priced lower than the Chamarajanagar one.

Originally Posted by NPV

I think you are referring to Misty Rock hotel with a restaurant called DeShell (this is opposite CCD Gundlupet). Nijaguna Resorts is in Chamarajanagar on the road towards Dimbam.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by VindyWheels

NPV, this is their second unit, a new one. Not exactly opposite CCD, but nearby on the opposite side. Seemed to be priced lower than the Chamarajanagar one.

This is good to know, thanks!
Now, we have another option for a break on the Nanjangud-Gundlupet route. Once the widening work is complete, with an early start from Bangalore one can reach here in about 3-3.5 hours and take a break

[mpksuhas]

^^ Also, noticed that this new Nijaguna located at Gundlupet has stay options too. I guess it is targeted at those who want to wait till check posts open in the morning.

A late update: Did Bangalore - Calicut on 05 Sep morning. Took the Mysore - Gundlupet- Calicut route itself since there was a news of road block due to sugar cane farmers. Started from Bellandur at 03:20 AM and was able to reach Calicut by 10:40 AM.

Took at 15 mins break at CCD at Nanjanguad. Had seen this place during last couple of trips too, decided to try this out since CCD Gundlupet has its toilet closed most of the times.

Roads between Mysore and Nanjanguad is in bad condition. Road widening is yet to start fully in this route, hope it gets done soon. Nanjanguad - Gundlupet - KA forest checkpost section had road work prepossessing very fast. Apart from few sections, it is almost done.

Return was on Monday, 07 SEP. Started from Calicut around 03:30 PM, heavy rains accompained us from Thamarassery till Bangalore. It was 12:15 AM when we reached Bangalore even though we took just a 15 mins break at Sultan Batthery and another 5 mins break at Mandya.

Infact, it was Mandya - Bangalore which slowed us down. There was heavy water logging on highway at many places. Saw couple of cars ahead of me loosing control due to hydroplaning. Thankfully they were able to regain control, however saw a Ciaz which had hit a large pool of water near Ramanagar and hit the divider.

[binand]

Just saw on Asianet that parts of the Nadugani churam (Gudalur-Nilambur Road) has been extensively damaged in heavy rains and landslides; the road might not be back in full service for several weeks. This road is preferred by people travelling to parts of Calicut and Malappuram districts but is best avoided till we have further information.

Press (in Malayalam): http://www.manoramaonline.com/news/j...kani-pass.html

[arjithin]

Need to make an urgent trip Kozhikode tonight. Any idea about the gonikoppal -kutta - kattikulam road??

[Klub Class]

Originally Posted by arjithin

Need to make an urgent trip Kozhikode tonight. Any idea about the gonikoppal -kutta - kattikulam road??

The Hunsur - Gonikoppal - Kutta - Kattikkulam road is in good condition. And that's the only option for night drive (the other checkposts remain closed)

[arjithin]

Originally Posted by arjithin

Need to make an urgent trip Kozhikode tonight. Any idea about the gonikoppal -kutta - kattikulam road??

Traveled this route y'day night.

Start @ 8:30 PM from Whitefied
1:30 AM @ Gonikoppal via E city, NICE road, Mysore ORR
3:45 AM @ Vythiri
4:45 AM @ Chathamangalam (near Kunnamangalam)
Total 30 mts of breaks in between.

Car: Ertiga with 4 passengers

Heavy fog between Gonikoppal & Vythiri, slowed down to 2nd gear driving at many places.

Roads in general are good till Gonikoppal. Very deserted roads from Gonikoppal till Kalpetta.

Missed to spot a hump in Mysore road and literally flew the car around 80kmph and landed nose down.
Also misjudged a pothole near Tholpetty for depth and hit it very hard.
Both these incidents are now making a squealing sound from left front tire

Road conditions:
Gonikoppal - Kutta are patchy and bumpy, but not really a problem if fog is not there. Watchout for buses from Kozhikode who dont care about anyone else in road.

Kutta - Kattikulam is in general good, but expect isolated deep potholes
Kattikulam - Koyileri - narrow and broken at many places
Koyileri - Panamaram - Worst of the whole trip. Many sections of no roads
Panamaram - Kalpetta : In general good, but watchout for random potholes
Kalpetta - Koduvally: In general good, but watchout for random potholes. Churam area has huge craters in most hairpins.
Fog made the driving even more difficult.


Now back to Bangalore via Batheri - C Nagar - Kanakpura tomorrow evening.

[binand]

Originally Posted by arjithin

3:45 AM @ Vythiri

Kattikulam - Koyileri - narrow and broken at many places
Koyileri - Panamaram - Worst of the whole trip. Many sections of no roads

Maybe at the mentioned time you should have taken the road through Mananthavady rather than trying to bypass it. That road has very few problems (generally of the same standard as Panamaram-Kalpetta).

[arjithin]

Originally Posted by binand

Maybe at the mentioned time you should have taken the road through Mananthavady rather than trying to bypass it. That road has very few problems (generally of the same standard as Panamaram-Kalpetta).

Agree. If I were aware of this section, I wouldn't have tried the bypass route.

[Anoopscv]

I want to travel from electronic city to kozhikode today afternoon around 3PM. Which one would be the best option? Via Mandya>Mysore>Gundlupet or kanakapura>kollegal>Gundlupet.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by Anoopscv

I want to travel from electronic city to kozhikode today afternoon around 3PM. Which one would be the best option? Via Mandya>Mysore>Gundlupet or kanakapura>kollegal>Gundlupet.

Would recommend Kanakpura-Kollegal Route for a 3 PM start since Mysore road can get crowded and there can be delays at the towns en route. I assume you know that the forest check post closes at 9. To be safe, you need to target to cross latest by 8.30. if you start at 3, you should be at the checkpost by 7.30-8 pm (assuming non stop driving). But to be safe better to start a little earlier.

If you get delayed starting, you can take Mysore-Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Kutta-Manathavady-Kalpetta-Calicut. No night restrictions on this route.

[Anoopscv]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Would recommend Kanakpura-Kollegal Route for a 3 PM start since Mysore road can get crowded and there can be delays at the towns en route. I assume you know that the forest check post closes at 9. To be safe, you need to target to cross latest by 8.30. if you start at 3, you should be at the checkpost by 7.30-8 pm (assuming non stop driving). But to be safe better to start a little earlier.

If you get delayed starting, you can take Mysore-Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Kutta-Manathavady-Kalpetta-Calicut. No night restrictions on this route.

Yes, it will be a non stop driving as I will have to cross the checkpost. Hope the Kanakpura>Kollegal>Chamarajanagar road is in good condition. Just to confirm the route once again, it is via Nice road>Kanakapura>Malavalli>Kollegal>Chamarajanagar> Gundlupet ?

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by Anoopscv

Yes, it will be a non stop driving as I will have to cross the checkpost. Hope the Kanakpura>Kollegal>Chamarajanagar road is in good condition. Just to confirm the route once again, it is via Nice road>Kanakapura>Malavalli>Kollegal>Chamarajanagar> Gundlupet ?

yes, route is correct. Overall conditions are very good. Some patchy stretches between Kollegala and Ch nagar and also between Ch Nagar and Gundlepet

Note: This is based on my trip during August end. Should not have changed much.

[Anoopscv]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

yes, route is correct. Overall conditions are very good. Some patchy stretches between Kollegala and Ch nagar and also between Ch Nagar and Gundlepet

Note: This is based on my trip during August end. Should not have changed much.

Started from electronic city by 4'o clock, took above route and was able to cross the check post by 8:15. Now on a short break at sultan bathery.

Overall the above route is in good condition with some patchy stretches but managable. Thanks again for the help.

[arjithin]

Drove Whitefield - Kunnamangalam on 22nd Oct and managed my best time so far on this route.

4:10 AM - Whitefield
5:30 AM - Kanakpura ( via ORR, JP Nagar)
7:45 AM - Gundlupet ( via Kollegal, Chamaraj Nagar)
10:45 AM - Kunnamangalam ( including a 30 mt break)

ie, 6 hr 35 mts overall time taken including 35 mts break.90-95kmph all most all the way till Gundlupet.

Nothing new to mention about road conditions. There is a dip between chamanarajnagar & Santhamarahalli which will bottom out the suspension if taken at normal speeds.

Decided to visit Ponkuzhi Srirama/Sitadevi temple (the one right after Kerala side checkpost) and we liked the temple.