[Samurai]

The trouble with Sampaje is the abrupt turns, unlike smooth turns of Shiradi/Charmadi. I get tired lot faster driving in Sampaje. I avoid it unless need to go to Madikeri from the coast.

[Neel]

I drove this section last week, with my Brio Automatic; Pretty impressed with the way it handled;

Onwards : Hassan to Sakleshpur is patchy and a few bad sections; Construction activity mostly that continues through Shiradi; Shiradi is very good for most sections.
Return : through Charmadi : wonderful drive all along;

Road works could take 6+ months and it will a super drive once complete;

[san0312]

Hey Everyone, travelled to Dharmasthala via Charmady Ghat yesterday. The roads are top notch and one can drive easily. Heard from a few TT driver's that the condition of the before and after Shiradi is bad and should be avoided if possible.

[Ranyguru2]

Originally Posted by insaneani

Thanks for the kind reply. I don't mind a longer route as long as it is less stressful. One last question though if you don't mind. Does the route have decent pit stops for food and bio-breaks?

You get good highway restaurants up to Madikeri, and after that, you may have to stop at Sullia or Puttur for a food/bio break.

[professor.march]

I am planning to go to Manipal in October, and I need to start from Narasapura, old madras highway.

Google maps is showing me the Mumbai highway till Hiriyur, then Hosadurga, Tarikere, and finally Agumbe ghats as the preferred route. Alternative is Nelamangala, Hassan, Mudigere, Charmadi ghats, Karkala and finally Manipal.

I traveled by both Agumbe and Charmadi ghats and found Charmadi to be better. I will start at 1pm from my location. Which option is better overall, considering I'll be travelling alone and my car is a Ciaz.

[anilupadhya]

Originally Posted by professor.march

I am planning to go to Manipal in October, .

Google maps is showing me the Mumbai highway till Hiriyur,

I traveled by both Agumbe and Charmadi ghats and found Charmadi to be better..

I presume you meant November.

I took the Hiriyur route on the Saturday of the holiday weekend. You need a lot of patience on this route as the traffic was maddening until a little after Tumkur plus the highway needs to be relaid. and then it's a two lane road after you take the turn off at Hiriyur. But there is no heavy traffic on this route and is peaceful if you drive sedately at 80kmph. I felt It's faster as well. Easily doable in a sedan.

Took the Charmady route while returning the very next day. Again, since it was a festive weekend the traffic was high until Dharmasthala turn off. The roads are broken at quite a few places at the base of the ghat. Once you climb the ghat the roads are smooth till Belur. Again, the famous Belur Hassan highway has taken some beating and you will have to be careful. From Hassan it's smooth sailing.

[pat2kin]

Originally Posted by san0312

Hey Everyone, travelled to Dharmasthala via Charmady Ghat yesterday. The roads are top notch and one can drive easily. Heard from a few TT driver's that the condition of the before and after Shiradi is bad and should be avoided if possible.

I agree. Please avoid Shiradi. I travelled this route on Sunday and it was pathetic.

[professor.march]

Originally Posted by anilupadhya

I presume you meant November.

I took the Hiriyur route on the Saturday of the holiday weekend.

Took the Charmady route while returning the very next day.

Sorry, it is November.

By Hiriyur route, is it the same one that Google maps is suggesting? Hosadurga, tarikere and agumbe ghat? If i start at 12.30pm from my place, i might only reach agumbe at around 8 pm. Will it be safe to travel? I remember agumbe being very narrow. Thanks for your suggestion, i am now thinking of taking Charmadi while going to Manipal and returning via agumbe.

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by professor.march

Sorry, it is November.

If i start at 12.30pm from my place, i might only reach agumbe at around 8 pm. Will it be safe to travel? I am now thinking of taking Charmadi while going to Manipal and returning via agumbe.

It is much safer to take Charmadi ghat for driving to Manipal if you are ok with that extra distance.

[shivasuma]

Hi guys,
I am planning to go to Kukke sometime this month. Which is the best route? I usually go through Shiradi but looks like the road condition is pretty bad. I had done Kukke once via bisle ghat. Is this still in decent shape?

[Pseud]

I am also planning to travel tomorrow from Bangalore-Udupi tomorrow. Google Maps is suggesting via Neelamangala->Belur and avoid Shiradi which I heard from too many people is a washout.

So will know tomorrow. The other route through Agumbe seems slightly longer but want to avoid it as I am driving alone.

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by shivasuma

Hi guys,
I am planning to go to Kukke sometime this month. Which is the best route?

The best option to Kukke Subramanya is still Bisile ghat, either via Mysore-Madikeri or CR Patna-Holenarsipura.

[manjubp]

Originally Posted by shivasuma

Hi guys,
I am planning to go to Kukke sometime this month. Which is the best route? I usually go through Shiradi but looks like the road condition is pretty bad. I had done Kukke once via bisle ghat. Is this still in decent shape?

Two options in the order of preference

1. Bangalore-Nelamangala-Channarayapattana-H. Narasipura-Arakalagudu-Shanivarasanthe-Bisle-Kukke (shorter by ~20kms, when compared to option2)
2. Bangalore-Nelamangala-Hassan-Gorur-Arakalagudu- Shanivarasanthe-Bisle-Kukke (Longer by 20kms, but takes same time as option 1, so average speed is better)

[Pseud]

Had a gruelling but nice ride from Blr-Udupi and back in two days. Took around 7.5hrs each way via Charmady ghats road. Road was mostly good although the ghats were more stressful than Shiradi ghats.

[Sanbhat1611]

Hi @Pseud --- Pls elaborate on "Road was mostly good although the ghats were more stressful than Shiradi ghats" --- Is the road smooth and breaking up ? And did you mean more stressful due to steeper curves or heavy traffic ?

I am planning a drive in the coming weeks, hence the query.