[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by NPV

That's the newish A2B at Udayapura I guess.
Also, Kolavara is a nice place. What other places did you visit ?

Yes. We visited the A2B at Udayapura.

Site seeing was not the intention of the trip. We only visited Kuppali

[aithalsandy]

Hello All,

Did BLR > Shimoga > Thirthahalli over the weekend and here is the update. Disclaimer - I am a regular fella on BLR-Shimoga-Thirthahalli route.

Route taken - JP Nagar (5.00 AM)> Ring Road > Gorguntepalya > Tumkur Road > Nelmangala > Mayura (7.00-7.30AM) > CR Patna > Arsikere CCD (9.00-9.30AM) > Shimoga (11.30).

I have been using CR patna for a long time as I hated ruckus on Tumkur>Gubbi route.

1. BLR - NH 48 drive was excellent in the morning time. Maintained 100-120kmph just to keep my soft top jeep happy but saw many Sedans and Innovas at doing 140kmph+ at ease.

Caution
-Careful of the folks plucking flowers from plants on divider
-2 wheelers emerging from the broken divider

Food at Mayura was ok, but they open only at 7AM. I rate Swathi better than Mayura and they are open 6.30AM to 10.00PM. Need to try A2B/Kamat next time ignoring some extra miles.

2. CR Patna - Arsikere drive was peaceful as vehicular traffic reduces on a two lane (no divider) road.

Caution
-Pay attention to humps, some of them are not painted and are not scientific.

Bio stop at CCD Arsikere as they have clean toilets, was not interested much in food/drink.

3. Arsikere - Shimoga is on NH 206 and the pain of towns and crazy humps are back on. Roads are decent but two lane with increased traffic. Far better than open wells some years back around Birur. Bhadravathi Shimoga drive is four lane but the bypass is pretty much in town now.

Caution
-Humps without paint
-Railway crossing near Birur can be heart wrenching for cars with low ground clearance. No particular concern for Jeeps

4. Shimoga - Thirthahalli (1.30 hrs) drive is awesome with good but narrow roads. If you drive on this stretch during early hours, you will forget the crazy hot summer . This route has been amazing for a long time with clear reflectors and sign boards. They have widened the roads in some dangerous stretches.

Mayura (Thirthahalli) is recommended for snack and coffee.

Caution
-Narrow roads with sharp turns. Especially for people who are not familiar with western ghat roads
-Construction of drains at multiple places

Govt is planning to four-lane NH 206 till Shimoga with bypasses but not immediately. BLR-Chitradurga-Shimoga will be a good option when the work starts on NH206. Any recent updates on road widening around Channagiri?

Thanks,
Sandeep

[TheTeacher]

Hi Folks,

Will be driving to Udupi next Monday; planned route: Bangalore - Arsikere - Bhadravati - Tirthahalli - Agumbe etc.

Would like to have lunch in Bhadravati, or if there are no good options there, Shimoga. Don't mind going into these towns and retracing route towards Tirthahall. Suggestions in this thread are few and sort of old.

Would be grateful for any fresh suggestions. We're veg, and prefer pure veg places. I will need to refuel petrol there as well. Thanks.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by TheTeacher

Would like to have lunch in Bhadravati, or if there are no good options there, Shimoga. Don't mind going into these towns and retracing route towards Tirthahall. Suggestions in this thread are few and sort of old.

Don't know any options at Bhadravati but in Shimoga there are quite a few and the one we tried on our way back from Karwar was a pure veg. restaurant (ground floor) in a hotel that also has lodging. This is on the road opposite to KSRTC bus stand and almost next door to Royal Orchid. Hardly any detour to reach this (from the NH206 highway). But possibly a little detour for you since you reach Shimoga from Bhadravati and need to proceed to Tirthahalli but still worth it I would say, also there are many other options on the same road, lots of hotels.
If I remember the name correctly it was Samrat Ashoka. Hope this helps.

[TheTeacher]

Thanks NPV, I think you are indeed referring to Samrat Ashok; it is shown right next to Royal Orchid by Google Anna.

[mpksuhas]

Reports of some disturbance in Arsikere. Those traveling in that route do check the status.
Link

[akshay380]

Guys I'm driving to Shimoga from Goa. Planning to visit jog falls and elephant camp. Anything else worth visiting in 100-150km radius from there? Also any recommendations for decent stays?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by akshay380

Guys I'm driving to Shimoga from Goa. Planning to visit jog falls and elephant camp. Anything else worth visiting in 100-150km radius from there? Also any recommendations for decent stays?

By Elephant camp, you mean Sakrebylu I hope. Also did you mean to ask for accommodation suggestions in Shimoga? If yes, you have Royal Orchid and Jewel Rock.

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by akshay380

Guys I'm driving to Shimoga from Goa. Planning to visit jog falls and elephant camp. Anything else worth visiting in 100-150km radius from there? Also any recommendations for decent stays?

Along with Jog Falls and Elephant camp, you can also visit Lion safari at Tyvarekoppa. And if you have time, you can also go to Agumbe sunset view point and return to Shimoga.

[ssateesh]

Originally Posted by aithalsandy

Hello All,
2. CR Patna - Arsikere drive was peaceful as vehicular traffic reduces on a two lane (no divider) road.
Caution
-Pay attention to humps, some of them are not painted and are not scientific.

3. Arsikere - Shimoga is on NH 206 and the pain of towns and crazy humps are back on. Roads are decent but two lane with increased traffic. Far better than open wells some years back around Birur. Bhadravathi Shimoga drive is four lane but the bypass is pretty much in town now.

Caution
-Humps without paint
-Railway crossing near Birur can be heart wrenching for cars with low ground clearance. No particular concern for Jeeps

Thanks,
Sandeep

Hi All,
We are a group of 10 families in 7 cars traveling to Sharavati JLR camp near Jog falls on 29th July at 5AM. Some of the drivers are not experienced in highways. Based on the route updates provided by Sandeep and collected from other forums I am thinking of the following options in the order of priority for a relaxed and peaceful drive. Need suggestions

1. Option 1 : Neelamangala -> Tumkur -> Chitradurga -> Davangere -> Siddapura -> Jog
Goggle maps suggests this as the fastest route inspite of 40km extra than the arsikere route. Majority of the route is 4 lane. But I don't see any feedback about this route anywhere
https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Ne...4!2d14.1860266

2. Option 2 : Neelamangala -> Tumkur -> Chitradurga -> Channagiri-> Shimoga -> Sagara -> Jog
Modified option 1 where we take a deviation to NH269 after Chitradurga . Saw updates that some portion of this road is being redone but mostly good with less traffic. Big plus is I also get to cover the Shimoga -> Sagar -> Jog scenic route
https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Ne...14.1860266!3e0

3. Option 3 : Neelamangala -> Channarayapatna -> Arsikere -> Tarekere -> Shimoga -> Sagar -> Jog
Same as Sandip's route through Channarayapatna. Peaceful drive till Arsikere and then the observed issues
https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Ne...14.1860266!3e0

4. Option 4: Neelamangala -> Tumkur-> Arsikere -> Tarekere -> Shimoga -> Sagar -> Jog
Most popular option. But also need to consider Neelamangala to Tumkur traffic, Tumkur to Gubbi traffic, Arsikere to Shimoga traffic/speed humps
https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Ne...14.1860266!3e0

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ssateesh

2. Option 2 : Neelamangala -> Tumkur -> Chitradurga -> Channagiri-> Shimoga -> Sagara -> Jog

3. Option 3 : Neelamangala -> Channarayapatna -> Arsikere -> Tarekere -> Shimoga -> Sagar -> Jog

Choose between 2 & 3. Option 3 is preferable. You get better hotels on the way. But after CR Patna its 2-lane roads. However till Arsikere its low on traffic.

[aithalsandy]

Hi Satheesh,

Option 2 (CR Patna) or 3 (Durga) should be fine. I usually take option 2, but curious to get updates on option 3 between Durga and Shimoga.

Enjoy the bliss of monsoon after Shimoga. If you have more day to spend, try Jog-Agumbe via Sagar->Ripponpet->Thirthahalli and you can drive back on Thirthahalli-> Shimoga->BLR.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ssateesh

Hi All,...

If you start early, the Tumkur Arsikere route (NH 206) should be fine. The Tumkur bypass may be a little rough with some patches but is manageable. Not many options for break:
- maybe Pavithra Thatte Idly at Kyathasandra, but from there you will have to enter NH 206 via Tumkur town not the bypass
- Matha Sagar at Kibbanahalli Cross after Gubbi
- Preethi Canteen at Birur

Alternate is to take Nelamangala-Channarayapatna-Arsikere and then get onto the NH206. Options for break:
- near Yediyur (Swathi Delicacy)
- Bellur Cross (Mayura)
- you can even stretch to Udayapura for A2B/Kamat and then return to take the Arsikere turn off

I think the CR Patna route is better since Swathi Delicacy and Mayura are good for families and both are children friendly with play areas

*Last I heard, Chitradurga route had road widening work in progress.

[ssateesh]

Originally Posted by NPV

*Last I heard, Chitradurga route had road widening work in progress.

Thanks. Is it Chitradurga to Shimoga route through Channagiri or Tumkur to Chitradurga route ?

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ssateesh

Thanks. Is it Chitradurga to Shimoga route through Channagiri or Tumkur to Chitradurga route ?

Work was in progress between Chitradurga and Shimoga (via Channagiri). Also, going on this route does not give you too many great options for breaks as well. Probably a couple in Chitradurga, Aishwarya, Lakshmi Tiffin Room. On the highway between Chitradurga-Channagiri-Shimoga not many options. Next good ones are in Shimoga - Samrat Ashok, Royal Orchid, etc