[AtheK]

Ended up going to Ramsagara Lake this weekend, it was an impromptu ride and saw this on the Google maps and ended up landing there. This is near mulbagal on kolar highway. You can also cut short the route and go from inner village roads.

We had initially planned through Kotilingeshwar, so that was our onward journey but while returning we took the kolar highway. Nice place to tent up and have a good time.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Ended up going to Ramsagara Lake this weekend, it was an impromptu ride and saw this on the Google maps and ended up landing there. This is near mulbagal on kolar highway. You can also cut short the route and go from inner village roads.

If you are heading straight here you can try inner roads. Sarjapur, Malur-Bangarpet - Benthamangala.

I think roads past Malur are not great though.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by ampere

If you are heading straight here you can try inner roads. Sarjapur, Malur-Bangarpet - Benthamangala.

I think roads past Malur are not great though.

Ya there is a wildlife sactury you can cut through, problem though currently being that you start entering TN/AP borders, and with all this COVID thing, would want to avoid that.

I remember we took an inner route while coming from yelagiri and the ride was very scenic. Don't remember the exact route though, but it was definitely this side and we crossed kotilingeshwar while coming back.

[PM - B]

I and my father had been to Avala Betta last Sunday, 23rd August.
This is ~ 92 Km door to the parking lot.
We left at 12 noon, spent slightly more than an hour there.
We were able to return by 3.40 pm - there was no speeding.

There are quite a few post regarding this destination.

The road is 4 lane up to the turn off the highway.
Post the turn it can be a two lane, one lane kind of a road.
Except for very small patches, the road has been resurfaced and is in excellent condition, traffic is light.

The final approach has a very good surface and is very serpentine with tight turns and was lovely.

Google shows that the place is closed.
My view is that there are two POI here -
1. To the right - The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and a view point ahead and above it (This is open)
One has to climb a fair amount of steps, you gain ~ 200 ft to the very top (I had DOMS - not much / no exercise in the last 5 months )
2. To the left - This could be the viewing point (there is a sign and a barrier stating entry is not allowed)

Parking is free
There were a few cars - hence x ~ 4 people
A few motorbikes x 2 people

Not very crowded.

A few pics

[NPV]

Originally Posted by PM - B

I and my father had been to Avala Betta last Sunday
...
One has to climb a fair amount of steps, you gain ~ 200 ft to the very top

Was there a forest department checkpost and guard at the base of the hill ? The last time I visited there, the guy was allowing only those cars that had elders and those who wanted to perform pujas at the temple (needed to have and show them the coconuts, flowers etc). If cars are allowed, one can drive to the top and just walk the last flight of steps leading to the temple. Nice concreted ghat road too.

Also, the viewpoint on the rock next to the temple was barricaded and a cop was stationed there.

[PM - B]

Originally Posted by NPV

Was there a forest department checkpost and guard at the base of the hill ?
Also, the viewpoint on the rock next to the temple was barricaded and a cop was stationed there.

Dear NPV

There were no checkposts / cops anywhere as of last Sunday.
It was easy to go and yes the road is nice.


Planning for a Chitradurga Fort visit tomorrow or day after.
Hope it pans out.

Had been to Kotilingeshwar and Gandikota earlier.
It was comfortable

[airbus]

Originally Posted by Aiel

I had copied the wrong link from GMaps. Re-sharing with the correct link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xk7M9DRtaT7KFcMs5

Please let us know the toll fee charged at SH9 Toll Booth. Do they accept FASTag payments?

[procrj]

Originally Posted by PM - B

Planning for a Chitradurga Fort visit tomorrow or day after.

Do visit vani vilas sagar on the way. Serene sunsets!

[Aiel]

Originally Posted by airbus

Please let us know the toll fee charged at SH9 Toll Booth. Do they accept FASTag payments?

They do accept Fastag payments at the SH9 tollbooth.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by PM - B

Dear NPV

There were no checkposts / cops anywhere as of last Sunday.
It was easy to go and yes the road is nice.


Planning for a Chitradurga Fort visit tomorrow or day after.
Hope it pans out.��

Had been to Kotilingeshwar and Gandikota earlier.
It was comfortable

No issues entering AP?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Ya there is a wildlife sactury you can cut through, problem though currently being that you start entering TN/AP borders, and with all this COVID thing, would want to avoid that.

Good point! You need to cross on to TN borders. That may be a logistical problem when you choose to go via Sarjapur.

Originally Posted by PM - B

I and my father had been to Avala Betta last Sunday, 23rd August.
This is ~ 92 Km door to the parking lot.
We left at 12 noon, spent slightly more than an hour there.
We were able to return by 3.40 pm - there was no speeding.

Originally Posted by NPV

Was there a forest department checkpost and guard at the base of the hill ?

I thought they were slowly reducing the four-wheelers to go up. Has that changed? Or probably thanks to these times, there is no patroling?

[arun_josie]

If anyone visiting Vani Vilasa Sagara Dam , try to reach the below location. It takes you closer to the backwaters apparently . We went there last week but missed this location,

https://goo.gl/maps/DjErNwFvj9v17XXk8

[airbus]

We have visited Gunjur Lake today and spent about 2 hours. Kids had a great time. Not many visitors today, counted about 10 cars and there was enough space to maintain sufficient distance.

Google map location.

[D'Ro@dSt@r]

We visited Sabanahalli Lake yesterday and the place was awesome. It somewhere 120 kms from sarjapur rd and took us around 2.5 hrs to reach there (All thanks to the choked up road near manyata )
The drive was super as NH44 is always a bliss after crossing the airport toll. The interior roads are also good and some of the stretch is newly laid tarmac and is super to drive on especially on the last few kms which are really good twisties.
We packed our food and some munchies for the way and didnt planned for any picnic as such but it surely can be done as the place has a way to go near the water body. Though it will be quite a ride on the rainy days.
Attaching some pics

[ashis89]

Started around 4pm and drove down to Thattekere lake yesterday. Google was suggesting Bannerghata road which we took but the road is not so good. However the view was very good in this route.

While returning, we took a slightly longer but faster route via Jigani - Bommasandra.

















Update: I read about this Thattekere lake and it seems to have been closed for tourists due to wildlife activity recorded in its vicinity.