[Rajesh K R]

Hello Guys,

We made a small one day trip to Chikmagalur and would like to document the same with some photos added.

Mode of transport : Wagon-R & Alto
No.of persons : 7 adults & 2 kids

We had some family related engagement at Hassan on Tuesday, 6th sept and so we thought why not we go and visit the Ganesha Temple at Belavadi Village near Halebeedu. So, we left Bangalore on Sunday,4th sept around 4.30 PM and reached Hassan at 8.PM where we stayed for the night.

Next morning, Left Hassan around 9.30 PM and proceeded to Chikmagalur and had a sumptuous breakfast by gorging on the awesome Benne Masala Dosas of the famed Town Canteen. Since, we had a couple of kids in our entourage, we planned a quick detour to the MG Park ( Rathnagiri Bore) on the outskirts of Chikmagalur.

This place turned out to be a good park with lot of greenery built on a small hillock complete with cobbled pathways, waterfalls, musical fountain, toy train and also offered a panoramic view of one part of Chikmagalur town from the top apart from the view of the Chandradrona hill ranges. It was difficult to make the kids leave from this place.

We finally left this place around 1.30 PM and went to one of our relatives house in Chikmagalur for lunch and after lunch we had a plan to visit their coffee plantation. They informed us that half a day is not sufficient enough to drive and have a look around in the plantation and were of the opinion that we should plan to spend a quiet weekend there.

Then as per the suggestion of our relative, we drove up to Hirekolale Lake which is around 8-9 kms from Chikmagalur. It is a beautiful location and it is supposedly a favourite shooting spot for many films and teleserials.

It was raining off and on and the terrain was all slushy and one had to carefully tread on the mud path leading on the embankment leading to a small temple on the other side. This place was totally devoid of any tourists and we were the only people there. (apart from the local people working in the fields and estates)

We returned back from Hirekolale lake and proceeded to Belavadi and reached the Temple around 6 PM, offered our poojas to Lord Ganesha and then returned back to Hassan by around 8 PM. We finished our engagement in Hassan on Tuesday and returned back to Bangalore by evening.

Have a look at some photos below :

Super smooth Belur Road


View from MG Park, CKM


Another view from MG Park, CKM


One more view from MG Park


On the way to Hirekolale Lake


View of the Lake (Pic 1)


View of the Lake (Pic 2)


Surroundings (Pic 1)


Surroundings (Pic 2)


Surroundings (Pic 3)


Hope you enjoyed seeing the snaps !!! Thanks.

[junky]

Thats a nice and quick one, how is the road condition on the entire route?
Shortlisting places for a weekend get away - 2 days

[Rajesh K R]

Originally Posted by junky

Thats a nice and quick one, how is the road condition on the entire route?
Shortlisting places for a weekend get away - 2 days

Road condition is quite good :

BLR - Bellur Cross - 4 laned double road
Bellur cross - HSN - 2 laned single road in fairly decent condition
HSN - Belur - Super 2 laned single road
Belur - CKM - fairly decent 2 laned single road
CKM - Hirekolale lake - Narrow single lane road, but in good condition.

You can plan to visit this place alongwith other regular listed places in and around CKM.

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

Hello Guys,

We made a small one day trip to Chikmagalur and would like to document the same with some photos added.

Rajesh, the lake looks lovely. A hidden gem. Hope it will retain its pristine beauty.

Originally Posted by junky

Thats a nice and quick one, how is the road condition on the entire route?
Shortlisting places for a weekend get away - 2 days

Chikkamagalur is ideal for two day trip. You can access many trevelogues on the place for more details or any of Team BHPians can help you with Itenarary.

[junky]

Hey thanks fauji, have been to this place quite a number of times. The best time to visit is in september, when rains have almost stopped and left behind many shades of fresh green. My favorite spot is mullaiyanagiri, a trek from behind the hill. A breath taking view not to forget for a life time.
the last time i was around this place the roads were pathetic, so just enquired to have a pleasant ride.

[rajakumar]

Looks like MG Park has lot to offer. I skipped it assuming that it will be a very normal park.

No doubt Hirekolale lake is nice spot. It will be mesmerizing at sunset. Some pics taken at the lake during sunset. Hope you wont mind adding a few pics in your thread.

[DieselDestiny]

Thats a beautiful lake indeed Rajesh. What direction is this from Chikmagalur? Going on a 2 day trip as part of team building to Chikmagalur, would be nice to visit this lake i guess

[Rajesh K R]

Originally Posted by rajakumar

Looks like MG Park has lot to offer. I skipped it assuming that it will be a very normal park.

No doubt Hirekolale lake is nice spot. It will be mesmerizing at sunset. Some pics taken at the lake during sunset. Hope you wont mind adding a few pics in your thread.

@ rajakumar :

MG park can be a welcome boon for the city kids who do not find enough places to run around and play. The terrain has been used well for the landscaping, but there is still scope for better maintenance & improvement from the Horticulture dept.

Sir, you are welcome to share more info & photos about this place. It sure will be beneficial to our fellow bhpians who intend to venture out to this lovely & pristine place.

Those sunset snaps look awesome. It was raining when we went and those snaps have been taken around 2 pm in the afternoon. We were informed that it gets misty & foggy during late evenings during monsoons.

[Rajesh K R]

Originally Posted by DieselDestiny

Thats a beautiful lake indeed Rajesh. What direction is this from Chikmagalur? Going on a 2 day trip as part of team building to Chikmagalur, would be nice to visit this lake i guess

Get into Mallandur road, (to reach Muthodi) and at a place called Uppalli, you need to take the right fork and drive around 3-4 kms you will reach this lake. This place is around 9-10 kms from Chikmagalur.

This map may be of help to you.

[sushrutha]

Rajesh, beautiful pics.. Wish they were more sharper ;-)
Excellent narration too ..
What was the overall Mileage for this trip in your Wagon -R ?

@Rajakumar, nice crisp n sharp pics.

[Rajesh K R]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

Rajesh, beautiful pics.. Wish they were more sharper ;-)
Excellent narration too ..
What was the overall Mileage for this trip in your Wagon -R ?

@Rajakumar, nice crisp n sharp pics.

Thanks Sushrutha. These snaps were shot using a Sony P&S with only 3x zoom. Also i had to reduce / resize these for uploading it here.

Also i am still learning the art of taking good crisp shots.

I usually get a mileage of around 19-20 kmpl when i do trips to Hassan. I keep to a speed of around 80-90 Kmph max. Feel it is not safe to drive with speeds exceeding 100 kmph in Wagon-R.

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

Thanks Sushrutha. These snaps were shot using a Sony P&S with only 3x zoom. Also i had to reduce / resize these for uploading it here.

Also i am still learning the art of taking good crisp shots.

I usually get a mileage of around 19-20 when i do trips to Hassan. I keep to a speed of around 80-90 Kmph max. Not safe to overspeed with Wagon-R.

Agreed Boss ....

Use Picasa, edit the pics, see it will work wonder to your pics.

The dam pics which you have taken are bright crisp & good.

19-20, that's very good mileage.

[Rajesh K R]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

Agreed Boss ....

Use Picasa, edit the pics, see it will work wonder to your pics.

The dam pics which you have taken are bright crisp & good.

19-20, that's very good mileage.

Thanks for the suggestion. Will try to edit the pics.

[DieselDestiny]

Thanks Rajesh, will try to get some time out and check this lake out

[daisyb]

Planning a trip in Oct. will add Hirekolale Lake to our itenerary.

@Rajakumar - amazing sunset pics