[livyodream]

After hearing about bad road condition on the usual route (Shiradi, Charmadi), tried Chirtadurga- holalkere-Shimoga-Tirthalli-Agumbe-Hebri-Brahmavar-Manipal.

This route was much faster compared to the route I usually take ( Charmadi 2-3 times a year) even though the distance increases by ~30kms.

Complimentary elephant interaction at Sakrebylu elephant camp which is right on the side of the road after Shimoga town.

[chandras1]

Did Mangalore Bangalore via Shirady yesterday. Road work is happenning in many places but the diversions are definitely manageable even in a sedan. Yesterday being Yugadhi, traffic was sparse. Started at 10:30 AM and reached my home at 6:30 PM. I took 3 breaks adding upto 1 hour 20 minutes. Will suggest people to stick to Shirady if they are travelling during lean hours or weekdays. Watch out the entry to Sakleshpur bypass and take that. Its easy to miss it.

[anoopBH]

Originally Posted by livyodream

After hearing about bad road condition on the usual route (Shiradi, Charmadi), tried Chirtadurga- holalkere-Shimoga-Tirthalli-Agumbe-Hebri-Brahmavar-Manipal.

This is new. I usually take Hiriyur - Hosadurga- Tarikere- Thirthahalli - Agumbe as it has relatively less traffic compared to the Charmadi/shiradi/Belhonnur routes.

How is the road condition and traffic from Chitradurga - Holalkere - Shimoga? Any idea of good restaurants?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by livyodream

After hearing about bad road condition on the usual route (Shiradi, Charmadi), tried Chirtadurga- holalkere-Shimoga-Tirthalli-Agumbe-Hebri-Brahmavar-Manipal.

Another option, at Bhadra bypass exit the highway head to straight Mandagadde (via Umblibail) where you cross the river. However I guess, once the Tumkur-Shimoga 4-lane is up and so is the new Shimoga bypass via the airport, this would be inconsequential. Also note this this route via Agumbe was the alternate solution to Udupi, when Shiradi was under construction and Charmadi was choked.

I also heard Someshwar-Hebri-Manipal was fixed. How is it today?

Originally Posted by anoopBH

This is new. I usually take Hiriyur - Hosadurga- Tarikere- Thirthahalli - Agumbe as it has relatively less traffic compared to the Charmadi/shiradi/Belhonnur routes.

So you take the route I mentioned earlier? I mean exit at Bhadra? Or you go via Lakkavalli ?

How is the road condition and traffic from Chitradurga - Holalkere - Shimoga? Any idea of good restaurants?

Usually not many restaurants. You are better off stopping for breakfast before Chitradurga.

[nma83]

Wow, first time I am seeing the Charmadi route being one of the worse options!
I am driving to Udupi next weekend and was hoping for a nice drive through Charmadi like we always do. How is the route via Kottigehara-Kalasa-Kudremuhka?

[anoopBH]

Originally Posted by ampere

So you take the route I mentioned earlier? I mean exit at Bhadra? Or you go via Lakkavalli ?

I go via Lakkavalli. How is the Bhadra bypass route compared to Lakkavalli? Never tried it.

[Samurai]

Drove from Udupi to Bangalore today via Shiradi, other than dust in the construction areas, nothing really bothered me. I wouldn't look at Charmadi until the construction gets over there.

[livyodream]

Originally Posted by anoopBH

This is new. I usually take Hiriyur - Hosadurga- Tarikere- Thirthahalli - Agumbe as it has relatively less traffic compared to the Charmadi/shiradi/Belhonnur routes.

How is the road condition and traffic from Chitradurga - Holalkere - Shimoga? Any idea of good restaurants?

I just put Sakrebylu elephant camp on google maps and this is what it showed me. I must say it was a good decision.

Surprisingly the roads were deserted (it was a weekday). You get wide enough undivided road from Durga till Shimogga. So overtaking is a non-issue.

Regarding restaurants, no, there's hardly anything once you cross Chitradurga till you reach Shimoga city.

Originally Posted by ampere

I also heard Someshwar-Hebri-Manipal was fixed. How is it today?

I was told not to take this route around 6 months ago and I did not want to take any risk.

Headed straight to Brahmavar and left towards Manipal (there's a route which goes to Manial directly from Brahmavar, need not take NH and cross the Kallianpura underpass mess).

Originally Posted by ampere

So you take the route I mentioned earlier? I mean exit at Bhadra? Or you go via Lakkavalli ?

I guess we took Bhadra exit. The only messy part of the whole route was between Bangalore and Tumkur toll and its city like traffic.

[elroydsilva]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Drove from Udupi to Bangalore today via Shiradi, other than dust in the construction areas, nothing really bothered me. I wouldn't look at Charmadi until the construction gets over there.

I drove from Bangalore to Udupi on Sunday and thanks to the light rain in the ghats the previous night, there was not much dust in most places. The Bangalore - Sakleshpur - Gundya - Dharmasthala - Karkala - Udupi route is pretty decent now and it took less than 8 hours with slow and comfortable driving. Returning via the same route today afternoon. The roads towards Dharmasthala were a bit broken earlier and are now patched, so that makes it nicer.

[nma83]

Originally Posted by elroydsilva

I drove from Bangalore to Udupi on Sunday and thanks to the light rain in the ghats the previous night, there was not much dust in most places. The Bangalore - Sakleshpur - Gundya - Dharmasthala - Karkala - Udupi route is pretty decent now and it took less than 8 hours with slow and comfortable driving. Returning via the same route today afternoon. The roads towards Dharmasthala were a bit broken earlier and are now patched, so that makes it nicer.

I am driving to Udupi starting early tomorrow morning. Will take the same route: Bangalore - Sakleshpur - Gundya - Dharmasthala - Karkala - Udupi.
Let's see how a fully loaded Octy fares . The last time I drove through Sakleshpura was probably 10 years ago!
(If anyone else is on this route tomorrow, say Hi if you see a grey L&K Octy with MW in its plates)

[elroydsilva]

Originally Posted by nma83

I am driving to Udupi starting early tomorrow morning.

The only stretch where you need to be careful is between the end of ghats and the Dharmasthala turn. Between great concrete roads, the diversions have broken roads which can have a few craters that could require careful maneuvering.

[srvm]

I'm a complete noob for BLR-Mangalore routes. So please pardon if this sounds silly.

What is the best route from Dharmasthala to Karkala?
Is it Dharmasthala - GVKere - Bajagoli - Karkala
or
Dharmasthala - GVKere - Mudbidri- Karkala?

Also whats the best route for Karkala to Udupi? Is it better to do it via Padubidri - join NH66?

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by elroydsilva

I drove from Bangalore to Udupi on Sunday and thanks to the light rain in the ghats the previous night, there was not much dust in most places. The Bangalore - Sakleshpur - Gundya - Dharmasthala - Karkala - Udupi route is pretty decent now and it took less than 8 hours with slow and comfortable driving. Returning via the same route today afternoon. The roads towards Dharmasthala were a bit broken earlier and are now patched, so that makes it nicer.

[elroydsilva]

Originally Posted by srvm

What is the best route from Dharmasthala to Karkala?
Is it Dharmasthala - GVKere - Bajagoli - Karkala
or
Dharmasthala - GVKere - Mudbidri- Karkala?

Also whats the best route for Karkala to Udupi? Is it better to do it via Padubidri - join NH66?

Dharmasthala - GVKere - Bajagoli - Karkala - Padubidri - Udupi

This is a good route for a first timer.

[JMaruru]

Originally Posted by elroydsilva

The Bangalore - Sakleshpur - Gundya - Dharmasthala - Karkala - Udupi route is pretty decent now and it took less than 8 hours with slow and comfortable driving.

How is it between Sakleshpur <> Start of Ghats(Maranahalli)? There were craters when I traveled last year. Has it been fixed?

Also, how is the road widening work between Ujire <> Punjalkatte? Hope it's been better now.

[nma83]

Originally Posted by JMaruru

How is it between Sakleshpur <> Start of Ghats(Maranahalli)? There were craters when I traveled last year. Has it been fixed?

Just did this route today coming to Udupi. Roads are quite rough till the start of the concrete road. No sedan killing craters though, only those that kill overtaking maneuvers.
My Octy survived without a single scrape, even while carrying full load.