Team-BHP - All Roads to Kerala

I have travelled to Bangalore on 28th march through-Angamaly-Mannuthy-Palakkad-Kovai-Avinashi-Salem-Bangalore. The stretch between Mannuthy-Palakkad is strenuous due to pot holes for nearly 10-15 kms. Slow moving traffic. But after Kuthiran it is manageable. Avoid travelling during night and evenings.

Then between Avinashi-Salem it is far better compared to few months back. Roads are wide enough to drive and keep a manageable speed. Again between Krishnagiri and Hosur 6 lane construction is going on but not affecting the traffic except few places.

Took 10hours and 45 minutes to cover 686 kms from my home in Kerala to CV Raman Nagar and 11 hours 25 minutes vice versa :)

Over the weekend I had a change in plan and had to drive to Kannur side, instead of Kohzikode. I PMed @sandsun7 and got some detailed and highly accurate suggestions on the route. Thank you very much. :thumbs up

I am quoting from Sandsun7's message.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandsun7 (Post 3075280)

1. Bangalore-Mysore-Hunsur-Nagarhole-Mananthavady-Perya ghats-Koothuparamba-Telicherry/Kannur
2. Bangalore-Mysore-Hunsur-Periyapatna-Siddapura-Ammathi-Virajpet-Iritty-Mattanur-Telicherry/Kannur

Roads are slightly better on route 1. This route has nightime restrictions and is open only from 6AM to 6PM.
Route 2 has few bad patches after Periyapatna (around 10km) but doable even in a sedan. Time taken would be around 7-8 hours for both routes.'

I went by Route 1 on my way to Kannur, and on return Route 2. The only bad patch was the 4 hair pin bends before hitting Nedumpoil, which comes before Chittiparambha and Koothuparamba. Also, a small stretch near Kutta where you take a sharp U turn towards Thalaserry (straight goes to Gonikoppal with one Cafe Robusta on it, lots of road repairs there)

But this is nothing compared to the several kilometers of bad stretches on Route 2. Route 2 was superb all the way from Kannur through Irrity. Roads inside Kerala were impeccable. Outskirts of Virajpet potholes start showing up. Not too bad. The worst was the Siddapura to Periyapatna stretch. I had to drive at 25-30 kmph. Reminded me of the Krishnagiri - Tiruvanamalai stretch in some sense. After Periyapatna once you hit the Madikeri Mysore SH88, things were super.

Once again, thanks @Sandsun7!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhuli (Post 3083412)

Route 2 was superb all the way from Kannur through Irrity. Roads inside Kerala were impeccable. Outskirts of Virajpet potholes start showing up. Not too bad. The worst was the Siddapura to Periyapatna stretch. I had to drive at 25-30 kmph. Reminded me of the Krishnagiri - Tiruvanamalai stretch in some sense.

Its definitely bad. But still doable. As you said the other route is a tad better.
Nice tarmac along the plantations before Siddapur also provide a stark consrast to the horrible section before.

Another thing to note is that apart from Cafe Coorg there is also a Coffee before Periyapatna.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3083508)

Another thing to note is that apart from Cafe Coorg there is also a Coffee before Periyapatna.

You are right about the Cafe Coffee Day before we hit before Periyapatna. New menu seems better these days and the coffee little hotter. It is a must stop after that rattling KM before reaching here!

Did Salem-Kochi and back recently.
Started 1:30am and reached Kochi 7am (nonstop)
Return 4:30am and reached Salem 10:30am(15min puncture repair break)

The road till Coimbatore is pretty decent now. Just before the L&T bypass some unscientific bumps are there.

Coimbatore to Palakkad is much better now. Beyond Palakkad, I took the Ottapalam-Shornur-Thrissur bypass route. Its pristine with sparse traffic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robimahanta (Post 3088192)

The road till Coimbatore is pretty decent now. Just before the L&T bypass some unscientific bumps are there.

Coimbatore to Palakkad is much better now. Beyond Palakkad, I took the Ottapalam-Shornur-Thrissur bypass route. Its pristine with sparse traffic.

Any delays on the Walayar checkpost Robi? Or its the timing that helped you over come the same?

Dont know when the actual four lane would happen. A distant reality as of today.

This week I drove to Nedumangad from Bangalore. I used the following route.

Bangalore - Salem - Madurai (Tirumangalam) - Tenkasi - Thenmala - Kulathupuzha - Nedumangad

The road conditions are excellent. Heat on the Salem - Tirumangalam stretch was unbearable.
Tirumangalam - Nedumangad stretch is state highways with plenty of trees that offer sanctuary form the scotching sun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3088199)

Any delays on the Walayar checkpost Robi? Or its the timing that helped you over come the same?

Dont know when the actual four lane would happen. A distant reality as of today.

Ampere, there was no delay whatsoever. I timed it pretty good this time so as to avoid traffic delays. I think if I left Kochi by say 3am, it would have been even better. I like it before the suicidal bikers hit the road especially in the 2 lane sections.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumeshmani (Post 3088209)

Tirumangalam - Nedumangad stretch is state highways with plenty of trees that offer sanctuary form the scotching sun.

I think its a NH. Only beyond Thenmala it becomes a SH. I have also read about lot of inter town traffic on this NH after Thirumangalam all the way up to Thenmala.
Folks visiting Courtallam have to face this music.

Planning to visit Palakkad, want to avoid Chengapalli-Coimbatore and Walayar stretches, so planning this route:
Bangalore-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Govindapuram-Kollengode-Alathur-Palakkad.

1.Is it worth taking this detour and extra 40-50 Km ? Will be starting by 5 am from Blr
2.Also want to know the recommended route from Palakkad to Calicut - the regular route via NH 213 or any other route (Shoranur, etc) ? My first time on this route, hence the question :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV (Post 3089306)

If Alathur is not one of the destination on the way, you can directly go to Palakkad from Pollachi.

About Palakkad-Calicut:

How is Ottapalam-Shoranur-Pattambi-Kottakal-Calicut as an alternative? I am sure it would be very traffic prone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3089355)

If Alathur is not one of the destination on the way, you can directly go to Palakkad from Pollachi.

Thanks for reminding me, I almost forgot this! Yes, on the onward journey we need to reach Palakkad on Day 1, not necessary to visit Alathur on the way as we can visit next day from Palakkad.

Quote:

About Palakkad-Calicut:
How is Ottapalam-Shoranur-Pattambi-Kottakal-Calicut as an alternative? I am sure it would be very traffic prone.

Per @ranjitp1 this route Palakkad-Olavakkode-Mundur-Kozhikode is good but a bit confused due to gmaps suggesting Mundur-Kongad-Sreekrishnapuram-Perithalmanna-Malappuram-Kozhikode whereas the actual NH213 route is Palakkad-Olavakkode-Mundur-Kalladikode-Mannarkkad-Perithalmanna-Malappuram-Kozhikode.