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Old 21st July 2017, 12:56   #196
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Hello Folks,

Planning to drive down to Chikmagalur over a weekend. Rough Itinerary is to visit shettihalli church, Halebidu, Belur enroute. I want to know which destination should I choose to visit while going to the city.

Also would appreciate if anyone confirmed the current road conditions till Chikmagalur.

Thanks
Adhiraj
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Old 21st July 2017, 13:15   #197
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by adhiraj View Post
Hello Folks,

Planning to drive down to Chikmagalur over a weekend. Rough Itinerary is to visit shettihalli church, Halebidu, Belur enroute. I want to know which destination should I choose to visit while going to the city.

Also would appreciate if anyone confirmed the current road conditions till Chikmagalur.

Thanks
Adhiraj
You can make Chikmaglur as base.

On day 1, you do Bangalore Hassan Shettihalli.

Then you drive to Halebidu via Hagare on Belur Road followed by Belur and the settle down at Chikmagalur.

Is this possible In a day? Definitely yes with normal pace and 5am start and ample time to spend at all 3 locations.

Once in Chikmagalur, you can visit rest of the POIs around here : Mullayanagiri, Hirekolale, Bababudangiri etc.

Route conditions: Overall roads are excellent till destination(Chikmagalur). However, Hassan Arakalgud road work in is progress and hence expect bad roads and deviations here to reach Shettihalli. We drove 2 weeks before and roads were bad. Hence, take Hassan Bypass - Huluvagilu option to reach here instead of Arkalgud road


Bangalore Hassan :Excellent 4 lane with good 2 Lane CR Patna bypass.

Hassan Hagare Belur : Good 2 lane roads

Halebidu Belur : Ready and done up now. 16 kms of new roads

Belur Chikmagalur : Good now and they have even widened the narrow section between Bennur Gadi to Magadi Handpost

Chikmagalur Kaimara Mullayanagiri Bababudangiri: Good Roads

Caution : From a friend I heard about bad roads to Kemmannugundi from BB Giri. So avoid this and knock Kemmannugundi off your list in case you are planning.

Also, it's been raining heavily that side. So be prepared for sudden change in road conditions, especially in the hills beyond Chikmagalur.

Where to stay? In Chikmagalur town that has plenty of good to very good hotels now - Grand Krishna, Lotus Botique Hotel, Aadrika etc.

If you want to make it even better, you can opt to choose at any of the homestays too. However, it'd it is a wet climate, you can't relish the nature much from here.

Last edited by paragsachania : 21st July 2017 at 13:18.
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Old 21st July 2017, 17:01   #198
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Thanks a lot paragsachania for such a detailed info

My answers in bold below:

You can make Chikmaglur as base.
Plan to Stay over the weekend there

On day 1, you do Bangalore Hassan Shettihalli.
Can we do shettihalli halebidu and then directly go to chikmagalur?

Then you drive to Halebidu via Hagare on Belur Road followed by Belur and the settle down at Chikmagalur.

Wanted to do Belur on return route as evening will be less hot to walk inside the temple compound. Is this a good choice?

Bangalore Hassan :Excellent 4 lane with good 2 Lane CR Patna bypass.
Any good eateries with restrooms?

Where to stay? In Chikmagalur town that has plenty of good to very good hotels now - Grand Krishna, Lotus Botique Hotel, Aadrika etc.

Planning to go and stay in hotel and not homestay for the same reason you mentioned,thanks for the heads up.

Route conditions: Overall roads are excellent till destination(Chikmagalur). However, Hassan Arakalgud road work in is progress and hence expect bad roads and deviations here to reach Shettihalli. We drove 2 weeks before and roads were bad. Hence, take Hassan Bypass - Huluvagilu option to reach here instead of Arkalgud road

Not sure where the hassan bypass exactly is, however Gmap is showing this route which has hAluvagilu as the road. Is this the one you are talking about?

Also for scenic drive, I remember you had pointed out these routes:

1. Mudigere road and Road leading to Mulayanagiri

2.Towards Mudigere after Tholalu/ Towards Arehalli/ Towards Gendehalli

Are there any more scenic route through coffee plantations closer to Chikmagalur town?

Thanks
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Old 21st July 2017, 17:51   #199
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by adhiraj View Post
Planning to drive down to Chikmagalur over a weekend. Rough Itinerary is to visit shettihalli church, Halebidu, Belur enroute. I want to know which destination should I choose to visit while going to the city.
I am also planning to travel chikmagalur this weekend(28th - 30th July). Initially had plans for Halebidu, Belur en-route. Shettihalli church seems to be a nice place to be added to the itinerary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shettihalli_Rosary_Church

As per wikipedia, during monsoons, it is partially submerged in water.
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Old 21st July 2017, 18:01   #200
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

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Originally Posted by adhiraj View Post
Can we do shettihalli halebidu and then directly go to chikmagalur?
Yes, you can do Shettihalli - Hagare (Belur Road)- Halebidu - Belavadi - Kalasapura - Magadi Hand Post - Chikkamagaluru if you want to do Belur on return.

However, doing Halebidu - Belur to reach Chikmagalur will actually take same or little lesser time.

Via Belavadi option, you can as well visit the less famous Veernarayana Temple there.

Quote:
Wanted to do Belur on return route as evening will be less hot to walk inside the temple compound. Is this a good choice?
Yes, this is possible. But the climate is very much bearable for a barefoot walk inside the temple even with no regular rains. I was there last Sunday and we walked all around at 3PM too. So if the "Heat" is the concern, you may want to evaluate your itinerary again.

Quote:
Any good eateries with restrooms?
Shark Food Court
Swati Delicacy
Cafe Coffee Day - 1
Cafe Coffee Day - 2
Mayura
Upsouth
A2B

Quote:
Not sure where the hassan bypass exactly is, however Gmap is showing this route which has hAluvagilu as the road. Is this the one you are talking about?
Yes. This is the route.

Quote:
1. Mudigere road and Road leading to Mulayanagiri
Did I? I do not recollect how I would have related Mudigere road with Mullayanagiri. I am sure I would have said Mudigere Road and road leading to Mullayanagiri.

Quote:
Are there any more scenic route through coffee plantations closer to Chikmagalur town?
You head towards Mudigere or Mullayanagiri or Mallandur from Chikmagalur town and within 6-10 kms you will start seeing coffee plantations around the road.
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Old 28th July 2017, 11:25   #201
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Folks,

Do any of you know whether we can pay the toll charges electronically on the Bangalore Hassan route? Which app or pay portal can be used?

Thanks!
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Old 28th July 2017, 11:45   #202
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

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Originally Posted by spiritual View Post
Folks,

Do any of you know whether we can pay the toll charges electronically on the Bangalore Hassan route? Which app or pay portal can be used?

Thanks!
I don't think so. Barring NICE, you will encounter 5 Toll Plazas enroute and none of them as I know (today) have the option to electronically accept payments via Card or PayTM. They did this during the immediate days post demonitization but as of now they must have completely done away with it.

However, all the toll booths are FASTag enabled where your toll charges will be deducted from the FASTag account.
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Old 14th October 2017, 13:12   #203
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Hi all, I am planning a family trip to Chikmaglur during the Diwali holidays. I know it will be a very crowded time but cant help it.

My broad plan is as below:

Day 1 - Bglor-Nelamangala-Kunigal-Cpatana-Hassan-Halebeedu-Belavadi (Veernarayana temple)-Kalasapura- Magadi-Chikmaglur. Siteseeing stops at Halebidu and Belavdi.
Questions: If we start by 5 am, can we reach Chikmangalur by 4 pm? Hows the road condition on the Hassan-Halebeedu-Belavadi-Kalasapura- Magadi-Chikmglur stretch?

Day 2-3: Around Chikamangalur (Hirekole lake, Mulyangiri, Ayyankere).
Questions: What are the other locations we can do? Is Baba Budangiri doable considering the rainy season?

Day 4: Chikmglur-Belur-Hassan-Cpatana-Nelamangala-Blor. Sightseeing stop at Belur.
Questions? How is the Chikmaglur-Belur road condition? Any other place of interest on the way?

Additional Questions :

Any suggestions and inputs on the above itinerary? Any places that I have missed or I can include to make the trip interesting? How is the rains in this region?
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Old 14th October 2017, 13:48   #204
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy28 View Post
Hi all, I am planning a family trip to Chikmaglur during the Diwali holidays. I know it will be a very crowded time but cant help it.
Bangalore - Chikmagalur is at max a 6 hour drive even with a 30 min stop. If its a long weekend, then I would factor in more time which will be lost at toll booths. Roads are all good but do watchout for a few unmarked speed-breakers and sudden appearance of road dividers on the 2L road between Hassan - Chikmagalur.

Quote:
Siteseeing stops at Halebidu and Belavdi.
Why not Belur?
Quote:
Belavadi-Kalasapura- Magadi-Chikmglur stretch?
Not sure about this stretch

Here is how you could change your route and include some additional hoysala temples: Hassan - Doddagaddavali - Hagare - Halebedu - Belavadi - Halebedu - Belur - Chikmagalur
https://goo.gl/maps/HKhALPJ48ZC2

More details here

Quote:
Day 2-3: Around Chikamangalur (Hirekole lake, Mulyangiri, Ayyankere).
Questions: What are the other locations we can do? Is Baba Budangiri doable considering the rainy season?
expect heavy traffic at all of these spots that you are thinking of visiting. I have seen long traffic Jams starting right at the check post leading to the Budangiri road and hence I wouldnt recommend it unless you plan to be there very early - 7am ish.

Instead I would suggest that you just put your feet up and enjoy the rain for 1 day and then drive to Sringeri if your family is the religious type or just drive to Deveramane via Mudigere on the 3rd Day.

Quote:
How is the rains in this region?
Rains have been on and off. Did rain quiet heavily in some parts of the hills last week. If you are staying near the town, then rains should not bother you but if you are staying in a remote homestay, then do talk to the hosts and check road conditions.
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Old 14th October 2017, 17:55   #205
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy28 View Post
Hi all, I am planning a family trip to Chikmaglur during the Diwali holidays.
Please don't!

The entire route from Chikkamagaluru to Bababudangiri / Mullayanagiri / Kemmanagundi will be choc-a-bloc with vehicles on 17th, 18th and most likely on 20th of October too. This is because the whole of Chikkamagaluru and bits of Bengaluru (I am exaggerating a bit) will be descending on the Deviramma betta and temple for the Deepavali pooja. Unless you want to feel nostalgic about Bengaluru traffic, it would be wise not to venture towards these areas as a tourist during this period. The dasara weekend saw cars queueing for up to 3kms before the forest checkpost in Kaimara. The authorities were seen sending back many people in order to facilitate easy movement.

Passing through Hassan will also be a nightmare because of Hasanamba darshan, an annual ritual.

The Hassan-Halebeedu-Belavadi-Kalasapura-Magadi stretch was butter smooth when I drove through parts of it two months ago. Despite the recent rains, it would still be good; or at least not bad.

Hirekolale and Aiyyanakere (about 30km apart) are easily doable. They are a treat to the eyes these days.

Do carry umbrellas, water proof jackets and footwear.

Quote:
Originally Posted by procrj View Post
Why not Belur?
He is planning to cover that on the return leg.

Quote:
Rains have been on and off. Did rain quiet heavily in some parts of the hills last week. If you are staying near the town, then rains should not bother you but if you are staying in a remote homestay, then do talk to the hosts and check road conditions.
Spot on.

Spoken like a seasoned traveller (which you are!).
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Old 14th October 2017, 19:22   #206
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dailydriver View Post
Passing through Hassan will also be a nightmare
Can bypass most of Hassan by using this route

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy28 View Post
planning a family trip to Chikmaglur
If you havent already blocked accommodation, I would suggest you look for off beat home stays near mudigere or even aldur/balehonnur. This way you wont be dealing with a lot of tourist traffic but still get to go away and enjoy the hills.

I had stayed at Prakruti Homestay near Jayapura a few years back and it was beautiful. Just put you feet up, have good food and enjoy the weather. Added bonus is a trip to the only tea plantation in that area. A few pics just to get you thinking
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Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?-p2_2.jpg  

Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?-p3_3.jpg  

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Old 15th October 2017, 08:19   #207
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by procrj View Post
Here is how you could change your route and include some additional hoysala temples: Hassan - Doddagaddavali - Hagare - Halebedu - Belavadi - Halebedu - Belur - Chikmagalur
https://goo.gl/maps/HKhALPJ48ZC2

More details here

Thanks for the suggestions and the travelogue link.

Instead I would suggest that you just put your feet up and enjoy the rain for 1 day and then drive to Sringeri if your family is the religious type or just drive to Deveramane via Mudigere on the 3rd Day.

That is an option I too had in mind but not finalised. I am leaving it open depending on the situation (and mood) once we are there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dailydriver View Post
Please don't!

The entire route from Chikkamagaluru to Bababudangiri / Mullayanagiri / Kemmanagundi will be choc-a-bloc with vehicles on 17th, 18th and most likely on 20th of October too. This is because the whole of Chikkamagaluru and bits of Bengaluru (I am exaggerating a bit) will be descending on the Deviramma betta and temple for the Deepavali pooja.

Passing through Hassan will also be a nightmare because of Hasanamba darshan, an annual ritual.

I had expected heavy Diwali tourist rush but was not aware of these aspect .

Will the Tumkuru-Tiptur-Banavara-Halebedu route help? Any idea on the road conditions?


The Hassan-Halebeedu-Belavadi-Kalasapura-Magadi stretch was butter smooth when I drove through parts of it two months ago. Despite the recent rains, it would still be good; or at least not bad.

Now thats some good news after the above shockers
Quote:
Originally Posted by procrj View Post
Can bypass most of Hassan by using this route

Thanks for the route link. Will follow that. Just one clarification - so you are suggesting that I take this stretch and go on to the Hassan-Belur road till Hagare and then turn towards Halebedu? How is the road condition on the Hasan-Hagare stretch?


If you havent already blocked accommodation, I would suggest you look for off beat home stays near mudigere or even aldur/balehonnur. This way you wont be dealing with a lot of tourist traffic but still get to go away and enjoy the hills.

I had stayed at Prakruti Homestay near Jayapura a few years back and it was beautiful. Just put you feet up, have good food and enjoy the weather. Added bonus is a trip to the only tea plantation in that area. A few pics just to get you thinking
Thanks again for the pics - very nice place indeed. Unfortunately I have booked my accommodation for this trip. Will try some other time.
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Old 15th October 2017, 08:57   #208
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy28 View Post
Thanks again
As confirmed by dailydriver, you can take Belavadi - Kalasapura - CKM. Hence I would suggest you stick to Hassan - Doddagaddavali - Halebeedu - Belavadi - CKM. Hagare - Halebeedu was normal 2L with speedbrakers & a few patchy sections. Not sure about current conditions as its rained quiet a bit. Would suggest you stick to normal route to Halebeedu if you are driving a low GC car. Use the route that I shared to bypass Hassan as much as possible.
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Old 15th October 2017, 09:29   #209
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

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Originally Posted by procrj View Post
Use the route that I shared to bypass Hassan as much as possible.
This one right before the railway tracks exiting from bypass is in horrendous shape. Forget low GC cars, the road here is non existent and if there is a heavy vehicle approaching ahead of you, it can rest on your car due to its shaky movements.

Better to avoid this, and simply take the Mysore road exit, reach Police Station junction and then get out of the city.

Not worth at all!!

(Referring back to status that was 2 weeks before)
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Old 15th October 2017, 09:59   #210
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Re: Bangalore to Chikmagalur - Best Route & Road Status?

Quote:
Originally Posted by procrj View Post
As confirmed...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy28 View Post
Thanks again..
Quote:
Originally Posted by paragsachania View Post
Better to avoid this, and simply take the Mysore road exit, reach Police Station junction and then get out of the city.

Note to Self:
Read the question carefully before attempting an answer .

@paragbhai and procrj, since Sandy28 plans to go to Halebidu directly from Hassan, he needn't take the bypass at all. He can either enter the city via the Dairy circle or Mysore road, reach the Police Station junction and then drive on through Salagame road to reach Halebidu. Alternatively, from the Dairy circle, he can also take the Ring road and join the Salagame road.

That way, the Hasanamba temple rush would be in a different part of the city and hence is unlikely to affect him much.

@Sandy28, the Hassan route is good and fast. No need to consider the Tumkur option at least for this trip.

Last edited by dailydriver : 15th October 2017 at 10:01.
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