[ampere]

Originally Posted by S_U_N

There is another route, where you take diversion from just before Hubli, and then move towards Kalghatgi - Murudeshwar - Udupi - Mangalore - Puttur - Madikeri.

The road towards Murudeshwar was horrible, exactly 12 months ago. I don't know the current condition. Perhaps around 30 KM was really bad.

Not worth going via Mangalore. Very bad roads around Coorg.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by S_U_N

There is another route, where you take diversion from just before Hubli, and then move towards Kalghatgi - Murudeshwar - Udupi - Mangalore - Puttur - Madikeri.

The road towards Murudeshwar was horrible, exactly 12 months ago. I don't know the current condition. Perhaps around 30 KM was really bad.

This overall route adds about 50 KM to the total mileage.

Hahihar-Honalli-Shimoga is 70 kms and in motorable condition.

Shimoga-Bhadravathi-Tarikere-Birur-Kadur-Chikmagalur-Belur is in good shape.

Belur-Biccodu is in good shape (10 kms)

The road after Biccodu to Belur is described in detail in the following thread:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...boli-pune.html

I personally feel that driving all along NH4 till Harihar and then till Belur is not going to be a time consuming affair at all. Barring Shimoga-Bhadravathi-Tarikere, the traffic till Madikeri is not something to bother about at all!

[S_U_N]

Good to know about the other thread - there are so many threads which are overlapping in content.

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Hahihar-Honalli-Shimoga is 70 kms and in motorable condition.

Shimoga-Bhadravathi-Tarikere-Birur-Kadur-Chikmagalur-Belur is in good shape.

Belur-Biccodu is in good shape (10 kms)

I put this route in Google maps now, for the benefit of all.

After that I can follow the route outlined in your post here hoping that the road conditions have not deteriorated after monsoons.

The road after Biccodu to Belur is described in detail in the following thread:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...boli-pune.html

[bigwheelz]

I am planning to drive from Pune to Madikeri in Jan'15. From the above inputs, the best route option is Pune-Harihar-Shimoga-Kadur-Arasikere-Channarayapatna-Holenarsipura-Arkalgud-Somvarpet-Madikeri

Is this the best route? Please suggest.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by bigwheelz

I am planning to drive from Pune to Madikeri in Jan'15. From the above inputs, the best route option is Pune-Harihar-Shimoga-Kadur-Arasikere-Channarayapatna-Holenarsipura-Arkalgud-Somvarpet-Madikeri

Is this the best route? Please suggest.

This works best for you as of now. Mostly good roads.

Last heard that Harihar Honnalli had bad patches (Oct 2014 end).

[Musaafir]

Guys,

I am planning a trip to Chikmagalur in May-15. I will be driving a Toyota Altis with 5 people and luggage. I have a few questions:

1. How is the condition of the roads Harihar - Shimoga - Haliyuru - Lingadahalli - Kaimara (Chikmagalur)?

2. Are there many speed breakers on this route?

3. Is this route doable for a Toyota Altis, particularly with its relatively low ground clearance?

4. We plan to visit some famous waterfalls around Chikmagalur. Would Altis take those roads for local sightseeing?

Thank you in advance.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Musaafir

1. How is the condition of the roads Harihar - Shimoga - Haliyuru - Lingadahalli - Kaimara (Chikmagalur)?

You should do:

Ranebennur-Honnali-Shimoga-Tarikere-LIngadahalli-CKM

Thats the best option and Altis should be able handle it easily.

[paragsachania]

There are bad patches between Harihar and Honnali. Honnali to Shimoga remains good. In last 3 months 2 friends did this from Pune, one in Safari and other in a rented Innova. Both reported the Harihar Honalli stretch was bad but doable.

For Chikmagalur, Lingadahalli - Kaimara is a scenic option although the preferred route is still via Birur and Kadur. Pick Lingadahalli option any given day as someone who is visiting Chikmagalur.

[Musaafir]

Thank you Parag. As Harihar - Honnali route is bad, do you suggest to take Ranebennur-Honnali road? Is it comparatively better?

Also, are there multiple speed breakers on the inner roads, that is, from Ranebennur / Harihar to Chikamagalur? I faced too many of them when I did Sankeshwar - Badami - Hampi - Dharwad recently in December-14, hence the question.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Musaafir

Thank you Parag. As Harihar - Honnali route is bad, do you suggest to take Ranebennur-Honnali road? Is it comparatively better?

You can safely take Harihar Honnali option despite the condition. It is not that bad. That small stretch is bound to give surprises after that butter smooth tarmac for over 600 kms!

Also, are there multiple speed breakers on the inner roads, that is, from Ranebennur / Harihar to Chikamagalur? I faced too many of them when I did Sankeshwar - Badami - Hampi - Dharwad recently in December-14, hence the question.

You may not find Tigers taking sun bath on Karnataka roads but you certainly can expect speedbreakers! Like I said elsewhere, just like the Chicken and Egg theory, we are yet to ascertain whether the Speedbreakers came first or the roads!

[bigwheelz]

My trip got postponed from Jan'15 to end of Mar'15. Taking the same route as suggested by members in Dec'14. i.e. Pune-Harihar-Shimoga-Kadur-Arasikere-Channarayapatna-Holenarsipura-Arkalgud-Somvarpet-Madikeri.
Hope this still is the best route. Please confirm.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by bigwheelz

My trip got postponed from Jan'15 to end of Mar'15. Taking the same route as suggested by members in Dec'14. i.e. Pune-Harihar-Shimoga-Kadur-Arasikere-Channarayapatna-Holenarsipura-Arkalgud-Somvarpet-Madikeri.
Hope this still is the best route. Please confirm.

A Modification:

Pune-Hiriyur-Huliyar-Neligere-CRPatna-Holenarasipur-Arkalgud-Somwarpet-Madikeri.
- A bit longer but definitely faster and good roads.
- You also remain on 4-lane for a longer time.
- No major cities to go past which can take time. (Like Shimoga).


Here is the route :
Route Link

Points on the route:

- Between points C and D you are on NH48 4-lane and you get very good eating points. (Mayura and CCD).
- Between points F and G, its the unpaved roads as shown in Google which is the newly tarred road.

[bigwheelz]

Originally Posted by ampere

A Modification:

Pune-Hiriyur-Huliyar-Neligere-CRPatna-Holenarasipur-Arkalgud-Somwarpet-Madikeri.
- A bit longer but definitely faster and good roads.
- You also remain on 4-lane for a longer time.
- No major cities to go past which can take time. (Like Shimoga).

Thanks for the update. Error on my part. I should have asked for advice before booking a hotel in Shimoga for night stay. My initial plan was to start from Pune and stay at Shimoga for the night and then start towards Madikeri in the morning.
As per Google maps:
Your suggested new route is 1004 kms (15 hours 3 mins)
The earlier route: 918 kms (14 hours 27 mins)
How much would the new route you suggested and the earlier one differ in terms of driving comfort?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by bigwheelz

The earlier route: 918 kms (14 hours 27 mins)
How much would the new route you suggested and the earlier one differ in terms of driving comfort?

If an order of 1000km is difficult to cover, then surely staying at Shimoga is a wiser option. So go ahead with that plan. From that point of view :

Pune-Ranebennur-Shimoga is a good option. You exit 4-lane at Ranebennur.

The Ranebennur-Honnali-Shimoga is just about OK.

From Shimoga the route is :

Shimoga-Arsikere-CR Patna-Holenarsipur-Arkalgulad-Shanivarsanthe-Somwarpet-Madikeri Route Link)

Very very good 2-lane roads all the way. Keep GPS in handy to track yourself correctly. The original points on post CR Patna remains the same. (Good road between points D and E)

[bigwheelz]

Originally Posted by ampere

If an order of 1000km is difficult to cover, then surely staying at Shimoga is a wiser option. So go ahead with that plan.

Thanks Ampere for all the help. I really appreciate the detailed route and instructions which helped me reach Coorg without any hiccups. Except some spots after NH4 exit, the roads are really fantastic to drive. It took 17 hours to reach from Pune to Coorg with breaks. While going, there were absolutely no vehicles on the road which was the day after Ugadi. I was so happy. Got a bit of it while returning.
While returning I thought of coming via Hassan, I took left at Arkalgud towards Hassan and realized my folly of not adhering to your route. The route from Arkalgud to Hassan is in very bad state. I wasted 45-60 mins due to this.
Thanks again.