[theMAG]

Alternate route will be going through Mysore. Or through Hassan-Belur-Charmadi ghats.

Guys,

I'm driving to Mangalore on this Friday 22-12. Is the above quoted road info still valid or can anyone advise me on any route/road updates? Details will be appreciated.

[Samurai]

It is no good, I just checked with somebody who travelled that route on bus, and he said it takes too long and seat keeps throwing you up. Imagine a car on that road.

I suggest you try the Shivmoga-Agumbe route or the Balebare ghat.

[Samurai]

Some alternate routes:

Bangalore-Mandya-Srirangapattanna-Hunsur-Madikeri-Sullia-Puttur-Mangalore

Bangalore-Tumkur-Tiptur-Bharavathi-Shimogga-Agumbe-Hebri-Hiriyadka-Manipal-Udupi-Mangalore

Bangalore-Hassan-Belur-Moodigere-Kudremuk-Karkala-Moodbidre-Mangalore

All three are scenic routes with decent roads.

[hemi]

You can try one more alternative route
B'lore>mysore>madkeri>Puttur>m'lore

B'lore to mysore is a four lane highway

Mysore to madkeri 'was' badly damaged out of which 60-70% has been repaired.

Road between madkeri to m'lore is pretty decent,mostly smooth ride.

Only badly broken strech is between kushalnagar to suntikoppa,which is about 30 kms.

Had been through route 2 weeks back.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by hemi

You can try one more alternative route
B'lore>mysore>madkeri>Puttur>m'lore

This is same as the one I suggested. I prefer bypassing Mysore by turning left at Srirangapattana towards KRS, it will reach the Mysore-Madikeri road at Elivala.

Mysore District Map, District map of Mysore, Mysore district map

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Speedometer

I have never done these drives in my car.I will be doing it for the new year in my new Swift .I wanted to do it this weekend but my favourite driver is going to Mumbai .So its next weekend when he has promised to come along .

This is something that never happens to most teamBHPians, our favourite driver remains within our body.

[rjstyles69]

@Speedometer trust me you should been out of your mind to drive on that road after Hassan.
All you had to do was a search in BHP and you would have found info. on the state of that road. I had a harrowing experience driving that road and now gave up travelling to Mangalore.

[theMAG]

Samurai, Samurai, hemi, Speedometer, Samurai, Samurai, Speedometer and rjstyles69: Dhanyavaadagalu ! This is the power of networking.

After analyzing your invaluable inputs, I've decided on the Bangalore-Mandya-Srirangapattanna-Hunsur-Madikeri-Sullia-Puttur-Mangalore route. Plan to leave BLR by 7 am.

Samurai-san and other Mangalore TBhpians: nice if we could meet up anywhere in/around Mangalore. My number is Nine Eight Four Five Nine Nine Six Seven One Six. I respond to the name of Mahesh

[hemi]

Originally Posted by Samurai

This is same as the one I suggested. I prefer bypassing Mysore by turning left at Srirangapattana towards KRS, it will reach the Mysore-Madikeri road at Elivala.

Mysore District Map, District map of Mysore, Mysore district map

this strech does save some kms but not really a smooth drive and also leads to confusion more often(if you driving for the first time).There is one more bypass(ring road of mysore city)which connects direcly between blore road and madkeri road.

[rjstyles69]

@Mahesh I still have doubts on the road between Sulliya and Puttur. Depends on where you plan to drive Mangalore or further ahead.
Personally would advise to take the Hassan--Belur--Moodigere--Ujire--Bantwal and Mangalore or even better Gurwayankere--Venoor--Moodbidri and Mangalore.

Am sure Samurai should be able to suggest the best alternative route.

happy and safe driving ..

[hemi]

this the road between puttur and sulia.This photo was taken from a bus which stops at sulia for lunch.

[theMAG]

Thanks once again guys. Again, invaluable help

[sivadas]

I understand that this route is in pathetic condition for quite some time. But why is it not getting repaired? That too being a National Hightway(NH48)

Situation is same with couple of other routes from Mysore towards Kerala. Gonikoppa-Kannur route (ghat section) is in its worst condition ever. HD Kotte - Mananthavady route is also equally horrible. I happened to use these two routes recently and was very lucky to escapte unhurt.
And these two routes are in bad condition for more than a year.

[theMAG]

Came back today morning from Mangalore. Took the Madikeri route going to MLR; very scenic with spoilt ghat roads and some good stretches (enroute Ilawala to Madikeri). All-in-all a fabulous trip with great destressing, beaches, ancient architectures, lot of smiles and laughter, meeting up with Samurai- the Warrior (consider myself indebtful to Samurai for sparing my beautiful self from complete physical annhiliation during his fabulous and lethal martial arts demo at his absolutely wonderful and gorgeous house - Samurai; that stream is now permanently etched in my memory) and of course, the Kambala at Mulki - a resplendant display of the hetergenous culture of Karnataka.

The perfect getaway from city stress.

[Samurai]

Why dont you write a detailed travelogue, you have enough material for it. Btw you visited my ancestral home, not my home exactly. I am still here, posting via mobile