[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by ampere

Nice! Looks like you have come a long way from your home! When did you shift to these parts of the country ? (I did notice your updates about these locations. But forgot to ask you about it).

Well, he's just a call away whenever you are relishing Butter Dosas at Davanagere's famous joint. He might greet you in white apron and pass on a dose of medicine in case you are travel sick .

[tilt]

Since I didn't get a response for my earlier request, (maybe it was too broad a request) let me post a more specific question here:

Yesterday someone suggested that for the return journey (Udupi-Bangalore) I follow the route Udupi-Agumbe-Bhadra-Chennarayapatna-Nelamangala-Bangalore. They said it was a very picturesque route etc.

My question is, would you folks here recommend that route too or would you recommend that I just do Udupi-Mangalore-Bangalore through Shiradi Ghat?

Thank you and cheers

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by tilt

Since I didn't get a response for my earlier request, (maybe it was too broad a request) let me post a more specific question here:

Yesterday someone suggested that for the return journey (Udupi-Bangalore) I follow the route Udupi-Agumbe-Bhadra-Chennarayapatna-Nelamangala-Bangalore. They said it was a very picturesque route etc.

My question is, would you folks here recommend that route too or would you recommend that I just do Udupi-Mangalore-Bangalore through Shiradi Ghat?

Thank you and cheers

I'm no expert but I took the Manipal - Agumbe - Sringeri route to Chikmagalur on Saturday and its very scenic indeed, but slow. You can also take this route to Bangalore (Chikmagalur - Belur - Hassan - Bangalore: Brilliant stretch). Catch a visit to the architectural wonder of the ancient Belur temples if you have time. Should take about 8:30 hours (4:00 + 4:30) plus breaks

But if there is paucity of time, the best route is Mangalore - Bangalore (8 hours max). You can probably deduct about an hour for the Jetta. I do not think this route will close in the next 4 days - but confirm it on the 3rd, before leaving. It will be in all the local papers.

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by tilt

would you recommend that I just do Udupi-Mangalore-Bangalore through Shiradi Ghat?

If time is a constraint , then Udipi- Mangalore ( left from Nanthoor Cross )- Sakleshpur-Hassan -Nelmangala is the fastest route to take .

You can easily do in 6-8 hours depending on what time you start . We were able to do this weekend's Bangalore -Mangalore drive in just a bit more than 5 hours including driving in heavy fog between Hassan-Sakleshpur ( started at 230 am and reached at 740 am IST) while the return was around 7 hours including a 1hour+ dinner stop . Add one hour more for Udipi-Mangalore

[tilt]

Thank you, Samaspire & SpeedSatya, for the prompt response.

I was told that the Chikmagalur route, though scenic, was slower than the Bhadra route. Apparently the section from Agumbe to CR Patna does not have as much twisties as even Shiradi Ghat (because Agumbe to Bangalore has no altitude changes or something like that). Plus apparently even the traffic on that route is sparse according to my informant. That's what I was told, hence my question about that route.

Anyway, thanks once again for your responses - really helpful - and I think I shall stick to Shiradi Ghat in the interest of time.

Cheers

[RaguHolla]

Originally Posted by tilt

I was told that the Chikmagalur route, though scenic, was slower than the Bhadra route. That's what I was told, hence my question about that route.
Cheers

The route you were asking is commonly known here as ampere's route. You need to have some sort of navigation assistant to turn towards Muntikoppa -> Umblebail -> Badra bypass. Advantage, this route skips Shimoga (Even shimoga bypass), (also Sakrebail backwaters). Yes its very nice route particularly if you are travelling early morning.

[tilt]

RaguHolla, thank you. Yes I do have Google Maps on my phone, plus I have my Garmin GPS with OpenStreetMaps loaded onto it.

I understand your cautioning me about the Bhadra bypass. I was told the same thing by my friend - that I should not go into Bhadra town, but watch for the bypass (NH206) before Bhadra town and take a Right onto that bypass to get to CR Patna.

Cheers

Update due to a major mess-up by me:

Folks, I should apologise to all of you. Instead of typing Bhadravati in my route query to you folks, I typed Bhadra.

So, the new query would be Udupi-Agumbe-Bhadravati-CR Patna-Bangalore. This was the route I was recommended. Would you recommend it too?

Thanks and cheers

[RaguHolla]

Originally Posted by tilt

RaguHolla, thank you. Yes I do have Google Maps on my phone, plus I have my Garmin GPS with OpenStreetMaps loaded onto it.

I understand your cautioning me about the Bhadra bypass. I was told the same thing by my friend - that I should not go into Bhadra town, but watch for the bypass (NH206) before Bhadra town and take a Right onto that bypass to get to CR Patna.

We are talking about this route. Caution is not regarding Badravati bypass, rather taking right to Munttinakoppa near Muduba bus stop on Thirtahalli -> Shimoga route, sub-sequently reaching Badravathi bypass. Also road till Muttinakoppa from Thirtahalli ~ shimoga is narrow. You may get alarmed, but route improves after 4 km! Do I recommended the route, sure! This route took me 9 hours from Kundapura to Gottigere with two hours break in between.

If time is the issue, it is still preferred to take regular Shiradi route!

[tilt]

Thank you RaguHolla. This, what you linked to, is the exact same route I was asking about. Yes, I really zoomed into your route to understand the Right turn at that bus-stop and my route shows exactly the same thing too. Thank you.

I am planning on leaving Udupi at around 9 a.m.

One more question, if you'll indulge me: What about clean toilets, food etc., on that route? Where would you recommend I stop for lunch, considering I am leaving Udupi at 9 a.m.?

Thanks again and cheers

[ampere]

Originally Posted by tilt

Thank you RaguHolla. This, what you linked to, is the exact same route I was asking about. Yes, I really zoomed into your route to understand the Right turn at that bus-stop and my route shows exactly the same thing too. Thank you.

Another way to remember if you forget past Thirthahalli, ask for Mandagadde. Thats where you cross the river.

One more question, if you'll indulge me: What about clean toilets, food etc., on that route? Where would you recommend I stop for lunch, considering I am leaving Udupi at 9 a.m.?

Dont expect anything till you hit NH206. There is nothing around Agumbe/Thirthahalli. And even at Bhadravathi you would rarely find something. But since its a bigger town chances are higher. Closer to Arsikere you have a CCD.

[RaguHolla]

Originally Posted by tilt

I am planning on leaving Udupi at around 9 a.m.

One more question, if you'll indulge me: What about clean toilets, food etc., on that route? Where would you recommend I stop for lunch, considering I am leaving Udupi at 9 a.m.?

As ampere already replied, first stop will be at ccd before Arsikere which will be nearly after ~4.5hrs... Otherwise You should go via Shimoga. Is CCD good for lunch? Not for me. If I am you, I will go via Shimoga (ditch Muttinakoppa route). Have lunch @ Hotel Meenakshi Bhavan... You reach Shimoga at around 12:30...

[ampere]

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

Have lunch @ Hotel Meenakshi Bhavan... You reach Shimoga at around 12:30...

+1 about going to Shimoga if its close to lunch time and there is time available.

The other place for a lunch if one wants to splurge is Royal Orchid. Very nice place close to bus stand. But yes, you will lose time because then you have go in and come out of Shimoga.

[tilt]

Ampere & RaguHolla, thank you again.

Yes, CCD is good enough for lunch in a crunch but my aim was more towards clean toilets. If I were by myself I wouldn't care too much about that since there are always trees and bushes by the roadside, but my wife will be with me. Therefore I guess I shall forego the scenic route and stick to Udupi-Mangalore-Shiradi Ghat-Bangalore.

Thank you once again for taking all this time to help me.

Cheers

[Klub Class]

Originally Posted by drive_factor

I am planning out a 6,000km western seaboard drive from here in eastern India and the Sringeri - NH4 sector was the grey-est stretch for me. Thanks to the fantastic inputs I have much clarity now.

I forgot to mention in my previous reply that my last last two drives were during the early morning hours. So, you might take a bit more time - may be two and half hours to do Shimoga - Davangere

- Once you're in Channagiri cross junction, you can see the Channagiri Fort on the RHS while driving to Davangere (it's less than 1 km from the cross)

- Stop over at 14.130993, 75.885437 and spend some few minutes to enjoy the beautiful views of Shanthi Sagara (Sulekere), if you're not in a hurry.

A panorama I clicked during my last drive :



This is entrance :



All the best for your drive. Will be waiting for your travelogue

Originally Posted by ampere

Nice! Looks like you have come a long way from your home! When did you shift to these parts of the country ? (I did notice your updates about these locations. But forgot to ask you about it).

I'm in Davangere since August 2013. There are many lesser known temples, forts to explore around here (will share the details in a separate thread later)

As Parag mentioned, I'm just a call away. Do drop a message next time you're in Davangere. We can have yummy Davangere Benne Dosa and discuss cars and roads.

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Well, he's just a call away whenever you are relishing Butter Dosas

Haha. It was fun meeting you that day

[Lightening-Fast]

Returned from Udupi yesterday. Took Shiradi Ghat for both onward and return journey. Good roads all along. Mangalore Udupi stretch is crowded and slows you down. Overall 7 hours of drive time door to door from North Bangalore