[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by NPV

windmills along the way too between Kangeyam-Palladam

You mean Palladam to Pollachi?

Originally Posted by NPV

*I'm not sure about current conditions of the Pollachi-Valparai section,

Perfectly alright, except for very few patches here and there.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by NPV

Not sure about current road conditions on this route beyond Karur, but other good route alternatives are:
1. Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Valparai (4/6 lane upto Perundurai and very nice undivided roads thereafter, windmills along the way too between Kangeyam-Palladam).

2. Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Avinashi bypass-Mangalam-Palladam-Pollachi-Valparai (4/6 lane upto Avinashi bypass and excellent roads after that).

Basically, these routes branch off from the Salem-Coimbatore section as compared to the Salem-Dindigul/Madurai section that you have mentioned

*I'm not sure about current conditions of the Pollachi-Valparai section, not sure if there was any impact from the Kerala rains/floods and if it has been restored after that.
I think based on the update above by @gajadonga in Oct 2018, this should be manageable/decent.

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

You mean Palladam to Pollachi?


Perfectly alright, except for very few patches here and there.

I have done the route via Dharapuram and then went down to Palani. This is up as an alternative route to Valparai as well. Atleast up to Dharapuram, it was pretty awesome.

[Sandy28]

Next week, on my return leg from Kerala, I plan to drive via Valparai. Instead of taking the Pollachi - Coimbatore - Salem - Bangalore route, I am planning to take Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur - Namakkal - Rasipuram - Salem - Bangalore route. Just want to try a new route if it is worth it. Any update on the road condition on this route? Are there any good place to break for lunch?

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Sandy28

Next week, on my return leg from Kerala, I plan to drive via Valparai. Instead of taking the Pollachi - Coimbatore - Salem - Bangalore route, I am planning to take Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur - Namakkal - Rasipuram - Salem - Bangalore route. Just want to try a new route if it is worth it. Any update on the road condition on this route? Are there any good place to break for lunch?

It is a good route via dharapuram. Pollachi has a good restaurant right on the highway after climbing down from valparai. It will come on your right and is impossible to miss.

Sorry, i dont have the name, but the food was delish and the facilities were awesome.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Sandy28

NI am planning to take Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur - Namakkal - Rasipuram - Salem - Bangalore route. Just want to try a new route if it is worth it. Any update on the road condition on this route? Are there any good place to break for lunch?

Thats a bit roundabout (30-40km). Try the Pollachi-Palladam-Avinashi-CBE
And quite frankly there is not much to explore. Salem-Karur is 4-lane.

And the rest is nice wide 2-lane roads and thats it.

[binand]

Originally Posted by Sandy28

I am planning to take Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur - Namakkal - Rasipuram - Salem - Bangalore route. Any update on the road condition on this route? Are there any good place to break for lunch?

I just (last Thursday) drove Salem-Karur-Dharapuram-Udumalpet-Valparai. This route was total bliss. Not much traffic, excellent roads.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ml#post4577719 (All Roads to Kerala)

Dharapuram has a bypass, Udumalpet I had to go through the town (but it was nearly deserted possibly due to elections).

I turned off NH 44 at Aravakurichi and joined Pollachi-Valparai road at Thensangampalayam, though. So I think the only common stretch between mine and your proposed route is Kannivadi-Dharapuram.

[Sandy28]

Originally Posted by ampere

Thats a bit roundabout (30-40km). Try the Pollachi-Palladam-Avinashi-CBE
And quite frankly there is not much to explore. Salem-Karur is 4-lane.

And the rest is nice wide 2-lane roads and thats it.

Thanks Ampere. Actually I have done the Avinashi - Coimbatore route many times and am bored. I like to explore new route and so planning this route. Anyways it is just a drive through and not any long halt or stay.

[mvkunte]

Hi all,

Any updates on the current status on the weather and the road to Valparai, specifically the Sinnadorai property?

I'm planning to travel in 2 weeks from Bangalore in a Rapid? Are there likely to be access problems?

Also, route suggestions? I'm a slowish (read middle-aged) driver, typically taking 10-15% over a Google Maps estimate.

Thanks in advance!

[sud]

Visited Valparai over Aug 23-25.

Onward route: Bangalore - Salem - Karur - Dharapuram - Udumalpet - Valparai
Return route: Valparai - Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur - Salem - Bangalore

Road conditions were good on all sections. Weather was too good.

Stay: Stanmore Garden Bungalow (Briar Teabungalows). Good service, Good food and amazing location/views. Slightly overpriced in my opinion but the views compensate for it.

On return, we stopped at Monkey falls. The water flow was good so we spent around couple of hours over here. Kids will love it.

On the way back had food at Selvam Canteen (small mess) near Pollachi (its on Valparai - Pollachi road). If you are a non-veg lover don't miss out this.


Now some pictures:

Aliyar Dam


Enroute:








Stanmore Garden Bungalow Cottages












Walk to stream inside the property


Nature walk in one of Briar's property

[Red Liner]

Are they allowing motocycles from chalakudy throughnto athirapally via the forest? Anyone knows?

[Ananthang]

Hello,

I was planning trip to Valparai during Christmas. Looks like all the Tea bungalows are closed due to Covid.

Any other recommendation for a place of stay for a family of 4 including kids and not very remote.

Thanks
Anantha

[mankuthimma]

We are thinking of planning a trip to Valparai this April. Since it is bordering Kerala, how is the Covid situation in this region nowadays ? Are the tea bungalows open now ?
Any restrictions by TN/KL govt on the roads leading to Valparai ? Do we still need TN ePass to go up Valparai ?

[binand]

Originally Posted by mankuthimma

Any restrictions by TN/KL govt on the roads leading to Valparai ? Do we still need TN ePass to go up Valparai ?

Valparai is in TN. Your location says you are in Bangalore. There is no Kerala on the route from Bangalore to Valparai. In fact the Kerala border at Malakkapara is a good 25-30 km further ahead from Valparai.

As for what is open and what is not, I suggest calling up some of the resorts and finding out. I had stayed at Sinna Dorai's Bungalow which was very pleasant.

[FURY_44]

Question for the Valparai experts, we are a biker group of 10 planning to travel to Valparai in the 1st week of November, looking for an accommodation with an intermediate budget, preferably outside the town.

Any inputs would be of great help.

[m8002?]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

Question for the Valparai experts, we are a biker group of 10 planning to travel to Valparai in the 1st week of November, looking for an accommodation with an intermediate budget, preferably outside the town.

Any inputs would be of great help.

To my knowledge, limited budget accommodations( lodges ) are available in the town. Anything outskirts means a bungalow in the vast tea estates. Check out Woodbriar and Chinnadurai group bungalows. Since you are 10 folks, you can take an entire bungalow instead of individual rooms.