[naut]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

You would agree when you get back.

Aye Aye Sir! We loved the route so much that we returned the same way (Note: Our original plan was to return via Nelamangala).

Originally Posted by paragsachania

So go ahead and have a safe and a fantastic one.

Yes we did, thanks! The rain was a bummer though! Hopefully, will do it again in better weather.

[naut]

Any suggestions on the route to take from Dharmasthala to Subramanya? Should I go via Gundya or as per the blue route in the map snippet below?



Also, what is the best route to go from Dharmasthala to Udupi?
From achyu's travelogue the route to take would be [Dharmasthala-Ujire-Belthangady-Guruvayanakere-Naravi-Nitte-Belman-Udupi]

Is this better than the Karkala route which seems to be shorter? I would prefer a route which is less curvy!



Lastly, If I were to go from Subramanya to Udupi directly, what would be the best route to take?

Please help! Thanks in advance.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by naut

Is this better than the Karkala route which seems to be shorter? I would prefer a route which is less curvy!

Dharmasthala to Udupi via Karkala Nitte Belman Padubidre will be partially curvy but overall good enough. Karkala - Padubidre will be bliss and super fast as well.

On the other hand, if you were to approach Udupi from Mangalore side, it is again less curvy as its 4 laned and mostly straight with work in progress in few sections.

Lastly, If I were to go from Subramanya to Udupi directly, what would be the best route to take?

Via NH48 and then Mangalore would be the option to take then.

[naut]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Dharmasthala to Udupi via Karkala Nitte Belman Padubidre will be partially curvy but overall good enough. Karkala - Padubidre will be bliss and super fast as well.

Did you mean that this route [Dharmasthala-Guruvayanakere-Naravi-Nitte-Belman-Udupi], although partially curvy, is super fast?

So, you feel that the above route might be better than the Karkala route (highlighted in blue in my previous post - second picture)?

Originally Posted by paragsachania

On the other hand, if you were to approach Udupi from Mangalore side, it is again less curvy as its 4 laned and mostly straight with work in progress in few sections.

Via NH48 and then Mangalore would be the option to take then.

Makes sense!

[achyu]

Originally Posted by naut

Did you mean that this route [Dharmasthala-Guruvayanakere-Naravi-Nitte-Belman-Udupi], although partially curvy, is super fast?

Hey naut,

Its actually Belman-Padubidri-Udupi, and Parag is right - that route is a driver's delight. You will love it. I highly recommend it for your own driving pleasure.

I had initially planned to visit Kukke Subramanya and then dropped it. I was going take the Gundya route. Compared to the other one, I believe the Gundya route will be slightly better. There are patches were small craters appear out of nowhere but nothing alarming. The road is decent otherwise.

Have a nice trip!

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by naut

Did you mean that this route [Dharmasthala-Guruvayanakere-Naravi-Nitte-Belman-Udupi], although partially curvy, is super fast?

So, you feel that the above route might be better than the Karkala route (highlighted in blue in my previous post - second picture)?

Yes, if you ask me the way points then - Dharmasthala - Ujire - Belthangady - Guruvayanakere - Naravi - Bajagoli - Karkala (Circle) - Nitte - Belman - Padubidre - Udupi

This also means you will still go via Karkala but merely touch the town on the outskirts at a major junction.

I say this is partially curvy because Guruvayanakere till Bajagoli will have some curves but not typically like ghats, Bajagoli - Karkala almost straight, Karkala - Nitte - Belman - Padubidre is super wide, well marked and a fast section with sparse traffic, while Padubidre Udupi will be the usual NH17 and that's straight till Udupi.

Budget around 1.5 Hour for Karkala Circle from Dharmasthala and another 25 Minutes to hit NH17 at Padubidre and another 25 for Udupi from here (Or perhaps little lesser depending on traffic).

[naut]

Originally Posted by achyu

Hey naut,

Compared to the other one, I believe the Gundya route will be slightly better. There are patches were small craters appear out of nowhere but nothing alarming. The road is decent otherwise.

Have a nice trip!

Thanks mate! Last December, I took the other route from Dharmasthala to Kukke (Non-Gundya) as it was shorter and cursed myself for the choice. The route was horrible to say the least and road laying work had just started. I wasn't sure if the road is any better now. Anyway, I was kinda of hoping that Gundya might be better. Thanks for confirming.

Originally Posted by paragsachania

This also means you will still go via Karkala but merely touch the town on the outskirts at a major junction.

Thanks Parag! That's why Karkala figured in both routes . Point noted.

[drhoneycake]

Had to drive to Manipal today. Started at 4 am from JP nagar. Reached sakleshpur only to realise Mangalore Bandh and that they aren't allowing vehicles to pass BC Road.

So drove up till Gundya, went to Dharmasthala and then took Ujjire. There was an anti-tipu protest going on where we lost an hour. The cops came and cleared it up. Drove through Belthangady-Venoor-Moodbidri-Mulki-Udupi-Manipal.

Excellent roads. Some stretches are narrow. Mostly curvy roads but good nonetheless.

The situation is supposed to be fine tomo.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Team-BHP

[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by drhoneycake

So drove up till Gundya, went to Dharmasthala and then took Ujjire. There was an anti-tipu protest going on where we lost an hour. The cops came and cleared it up. Drove through Belthangady-Venoor-Moodbidri-Mulki-Udupi-Manipal.

Any reason you didn't take Belthangady - Naravi - Karkala - Manipal route? Would have saved you about 20 kms.

[drhoneycake]

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

Any reason you didn't take Belthangady - Naravi - Karkala - Manipal route? Would have saved you about 20 kms.

Had to pick my cousin at Mulki, he took a bus from NITK to reach Mulki.

Also Distance isn't the issue, it's all about the drive 😁


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Team-BHP

[Klub Class]

- from The New Indian Express ePaper - Shivamogga Edition

[nma83]

Has Shiradi held up given the recent rains? Or has there been no rains thereabouts...

[NPV]

As per a news report, the Public Works Department is mulling diversion of traffic from Shiradi Ghat to SH 85 (Bisle Ghat ?) and then take up the second phase of road work on Shiradi

Source:Indian Express, Bangalore edition 21 Nov 2015 - "Traffic Diversion at Shiradi Ghat"

[nma83]

Originally Posted by NPV

As per a news report, the Public Works Department is mulling diversion of traffic from Shiradi Ghat to SH 85 (Bisle Ghat ?) and then take up the second phase of road work on Shiradi

Source:Indian Express, Bangalore edition 21 Nov 2015 - "Traffic Diversion at Shiradi Ghat"

I am driving through Shiradi tomorrow morning. What a terrible idea this diversion is.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by nma83

I am driving through Shiradi tomorrow morning. What a terrible idea this diversion is.

As mentioned in that article they are only thinking about it so it is not likely to happen so quickly
There were earlier reports that Bisle ghat road was being concretized so now it seems like this was planned earlier as the alternate route when Shiradi closes again for repairs.