[gogo_gogo]

Team,

We are Visiting Kodaikonal. Looking for Bangalore -Kodai Route trip. Guide.
Thanks

[sbkumar]

Following routes are the ones I have taken

Bangalore-Salem-Dindigul-Chempatti-Vattalagundu-Kodai
or
Bangalore-Salem-Dindigul-Kodai Road-Vattalagundu-Kodai

[ampere]

Originally Posted by sbkumar

Following routes are the ones I have taken

Bangalore-Salem-Dindigul-Chempatti-Vattalagundu-Kodai
or
Bangalore-Salem-Dindigul-Kodai Road-Vattalagundu-Kodai

By pass at Dindigul itself and take the 45 (Theni road). That I guess is the standard route for Blr-Kodai.

[bullinb]

Yes. Dindigul bypass - NH45 (Theni road) - Vattalagundu (Bathlagundu) - Kodai road - Kodai. Awesome roads all the way.

[motomaverick]

If you are looking for a shorter route then take the one below,

Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Dharapuram - Palani - Kodai

I did this route first time on a bike in 2008, again did this in Jan 2009, road conditions were good at that time. It took some 10.5hrs in Bike and some 9.5hrs in car. Traffic wise this route has much less traffic than the NH ones.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

If you are looking for a shorter route then take the one below,

Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Dharapuram - Palani - Kodai

I did this route first time on a bike in 2008, again did this in Jan 2009, road conditions were good at that time. It took some 10.5hrs in Bike and some 9.5hrs in car.

That would have been the best, if the 4L was not up. If one is bored driving on GQ, its good to take the Palani road for a change.

[BulZire]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

If you are looking for a shorter route then take the one below,

Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Dharapuram - Palani - Kodai

I did this route first time on a bike in 2008, again did this in Jan 2009, road conditions were good at that time. It took some 10.5hrs in Bike and some 9.5hrs in car. Traffic wise this route has much less traffic than the NH ones.

This route is excellent till last month. but the palani-kodai route is blocked due to a recent land slide in between. When i enquired 2 weeks back I was told that this route will be opened only after 2 months . So right now whoever had planned in this route please ignore it and take salem-Dindigul-Kodai road route.

[gogo_gogo]

Originally Posted by ampere

That would have been the best, if the 4L was not up. If one is bored driving on GQ, its good to take the Palani road for a change.

But i heard, Palani road is closed since last few weeks. Pl advice.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by gogo_gogo

But i heard, Palani road is closed since last few weeks. Pl advice.

No idea about closure. I would say the Dindigul-Batalgundu option.

At Dindigul, take the by-pass (I think its the second exit, the first one is 209) to 45 (Theni road). You will hit Batlagundu and divert to Kodai.

[bejoy]

Here is the detailed log from HVK:
http://hvkumar.googlegroups.com/web/...Palani-Blr.xls

I followed this route last October and was very helpful. Only place you need to pay a little attention is at Dindigul, where you need to take Theni road. You should not take the Palani road, which turns right from the first junction below the flyover. The signages are a bit confusing there.

This is the fast route. In case you like to enjoy scenery, you can take the Mettur - Palani route, as mentioned by motomaverick.

[motomaverick]

Too bad the palani - kodai is blocked due to landslide, i remember doing it in december 25th 2008, is this due to rains last month? This was quite a scenic route with very less traffic.

[Chevy_lover]

Take the Bangalore - Salem - Dindigul - Vattalagundu - Kodai route. This is the best route in terms of facilities en-route.

If you take the Palani route, you will have to climb 14 hair pin bends. It is best avoided as that road is pretty narrow and the TN bus and truck drivers are maniacs.

Since you are new to this route, drive only during day time. The scenery is awesome en-route. You can also see Silver Cascade water falls just before reaching Kodai, if you take this route.

Kodai ghat roads are fantastic. So have a great drive!

[BulZire]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Too bad the palani - kodai is blocked due to landslide, i remember doing it in december 25th 2008, is this due to rains last month? This was quite a scenic route with very less traffic.

Exactly, the land slide is due to the recent rains around Palani which was recorded as one of the heaviest in that area in last few years. It is absolutely a scenic route with many hills all around and many mini falls through out. Now 2 wheelers are allowed is the latest update.

[prakash_ajp]

Palani-Kodai road is open now and probably the most scenic of the available options. But the road is slightly narrow at some places and one has to be careful enough. And if one is not experienced with ghat roads, I won't recommend it. But I prefer it since I can take the Mettur-Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Palani-Kodai route to avoid all the tolls.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Originally Posted by prakash_ajp

Palani-Kodai road is open now and probably the most scenic of the available options.

This route is far more scenic than the regular one via Bathalagundu. It is similar to the Valparai road with regard to the views offered of the plains and dams down below.

Here is a panorama shot which I took on my way up last Friday.