Team-BHP - Bangalore - Kannur : Route Queries

Hi,

I read through several of the recent posts, and could not conclude which route to take.

I will be travelling to Kannur from Bangalore, with 3 friends on the 1st of May. We have rented a Ford Figo from Zoomcars (amazing and seamless booking experience by the way). Which route would you recommend keeping in mind firstly safety and road conditions, secondly scenic beauty?

We'll be starting from Bangalore at 9 a.m. as two of us will be arriving from Hyderabad the same morning.

1. Via Manthavady through Nagarhole National Park. (extra 35-40 km)
2. Via Hunsur and irrity.

Thanks
Keep Revving!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandsun7 (Post 3693693)

No confusions at all, now. Just follow this route:
Bangalore-Mysore(ORR)-Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Virajpet-Makkuta Ghats-Iritty-Mattannur-Kannur.
Excellent scenic roads all the way. Budget around 6.5-7 hours with relaxed driving.

Gmaps link: http://goo.gl/zUSSeS

Agree with sandsun7. Done this route last a days back (onward April 11th, inward April 18th). Excellent roads throughout. Expect heavy traffic till Mysore if you leave Bangalore by 9.30am. Try to leave as early as possible. Otherwise, this route can be done in 7 hrs with sedate driving.

Planning to drive from Payyanur to Whitefield on 25th May, possible start around 1 PM. Vehicle Ertiga.

1. Google maps shows Thaliparamaba - Sreekandapuram - payyavoor road bypassing Iritty. Is it a good option?

2. I think i should be in Mysore during the evening peak hours, so planning to take the KRS bypass.

3. From mysore , I will be hitting heavy traffic; so planning to spend 2-3 hrs around virajpet so that I reach Bangalore outskirts by 11 PM. Any suggestions for a good sight seeing spot? ( I am yet to go to coorg for sightseeing :Shockked: )

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin (Post 3710074)

1. Google maps shows Thaliparamaba - Sreekandapuram - payyavoor road bypassing Iritty. Is it a good option?

2. I think i should be in Mysore during the evening peak hours, so planning to take the KRS bypass.

1. Take Sreekandapuram -> Irikkur -> Iritty. Google Maps screwed my on my first solo trip down. What you have mentioned is a shorter route, but riddled with potholes and some narrow roads (if you will be religiously using GMaps).

2. I've heard that this route is now open, would be interested to hear the status especially the railway crossing underpass at srirangapatna and the other extensive work that was happening on this road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin (Post 3710074)

Taliparamba-Srikandapuram-Iritty via Irikkur. Very good but curvy roads all the way.
I am not a fan of the KRS bypass and prefer Mysore ORR any time. KRS road has lot of patchy sections where the ride would be rough, especially if you are in a small hatch.

You could visit the Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery) in Bylakuppe. You will have to go towards Kushalnagar from Virajpet via Siddapura. Roads are good till Siddapura. Beyond that , I have no idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shefiu (Post 3710422)

2. I've heard that this route is now open, would be interested to hear the status especially the railway crossing underpass at srirangapatna and the other extensive work that was happening on this road.

The underpass at Srirangapatna was almost ready when I did the stretch in mid April. The asphalting of approach roads was pending. Should have completed by now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin (Post 3710074)

Quote:

Originally Posted by shefiu (Post 3710422)

Take only Sreekandapuram -> Irikkur -> Iritty. Roads are in very good condition but curvy. Better plan to hit Mysore road after 8pm. If you start by 1-2pm from Payyanur, and take some good 1hr break in between you cannot reach before 7-8pm at Mysore road unless you drive very fast.
If you want to spend some time on sightseeing, Ranganamthittu will be a good option unless you haven't been there earlier. But be sure to reach there before 5pm. It will take almost 5hours to reach there from Payyanur in a continuous drive. At present there are lots of pre-monsoon showers and chances are there that you cannot drive as fast as you think.

In my last trip, I have started from Payyanur by 2pm and took early dinner break at Hotel Heritage Shelters in KRS road around 6:40pm. We spend some time there and started around 8pm and reached Bangalore by 10pm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shefiu (Post 3710422)

Road is open and little rough at some places, but not a matter of concern now.

Thanks
Rajesh

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjithin (Post 3710074)

Planning to drive from Payyanur to Whitefield on 25th May, possible start around 1 PM. Vehicle Ertiga.
)

Update- road conditions are good through out. Started from Payyannur at 12 pm, reached Whitefield 11:15 pm

50 mts stop at cafe coorg, pathetic service - 30 mts for some one to take order, no food other than bakery items available at 3 pm and stinking rest room.
90 mts at brindavan gardens
45 mts for Dinner.

Travelled Bangalore -Payyanur (370kms) via Mysore ORR/Hunsur/Gonikoppa/Virjapet bypass/Irrity bridge/Sreekandapuram/Taliparambh
1. Started early 7.30, its not early anymore for weekend, traffic was moderate and avg speed was 60. the culprit was that all road humps/breakers removed and in place are metal turarounds, this caused jams as vehicles had to cut slowing entire traffic.
2. Most of eateries are full, better to have early breakfast/lunches, or carry and break off roadside.
3. Ghats are curvy all way from veerajpet to taliparambh, good roads but cant speed

Return leg: Nileswaram-Jalsore-Sullia-Madikeri-KRS byepass
1. Kasargod-Jalsore roads very good, but curves, Jalsore-Madikeri is wide roads and a breeze.
2. KRS byepass, 18kms 35mins not much difference compared to mysore ring road of 45mins
3. Weather factor slows down the speed, so factor in 9-10 hours whichever route one may take this time of the year

Travelled Bangalore-Mysore ORR-Virajpet-Iritty-Mattannur-Kannur and same way back.
1) Removal of spead breakers made it even more pathetic since they have not leveled the surface. Due to the combination of collapsible barricade and these rough surfaces the traffic is still slowing down lot more than required, creating traffic jams.
2) Mysore ORR-Hunsur stretch has lot of pot holes on the middle of the road. But one can evade these easily.
3) After Hunsur, Virajpet road is in amazing condition.
4) Makkootta ghats had two trees fell on the road. But the authorities seem to have cut them overnight and removed the hindrances.
5) Roads past Mattannur till Kannur is patchy. But my car loved the stretch.