[androdev]

Used this route today: Bangalore > Kunigal > CR Patna > Holenarsipura (via SH 121) > Arakalgod > Ramanathapura > Konanur > Kushalnagar > Madikeri.

Except for a very short stretch inside Konanur, the roads are pretty good. Here is my comparison with other options:

The usual Mysore route is an overdose of tailgating, I always avoid it if I can.
I am not sure if CR Patna > Holenarsipura (SH-8) is fully tarred including that 2KM but the SH-121 option is very good and there are no speed breakers (unlike SH-8)

Somwarepet route is lovely though lush green estates but lot of twists and turns, recommended if you like that kind of drive. I am actually headed to Kerala which already has these twists plenty in store so prefer straight roads.
Arakalgod > Ramanathapura > Konanur > Kushalnagar: good roads without any crazy twists. Speed breakers are in generous numbers but hardly any traffic.

Owing to a combination of speed breakers, uneven road surface, villages, etc. you won't gain any time but via Ramanathapuram seems to be the most stress free route compared to the other options. On special days I might still prefer the Somwarpet route - it has very scenic winding roads.

[androdev]

Did this route yesterday: Blore > Kunigal > CRPatna > Holenarsipur (via SH-121) > Arakalgod > Ramanathapura > Konanur > Kushalnagar > Madikeri

Observations:
Good roads through out except for a tiny stretch of bad road inside konanur village
SH-121 (see previous posts) is better than SH-8 route (no speed breakers and no traffic)
Ramanathapura route doesn't have winding roads like Somwarpet route, which I prefer when traveling with family but others might prefer more scenic + winding roads of Somwarpet.
There is hardly any traffic between CRPatna and Kushalnagar on this route.
Some uneven (but no damages) surfaces, villages, speed breakers, etc. contribute to low average speeds but it is totally stress free due to lack of traffic and winding roads.
No traffic, no fuel stops, no restaurants, no rest rooms etc.

I thought this route is too "unhappening" till I hit the Kushalnagar-Madikeri stretch, then I realised how stress free it was compared to the constant tailgate/overtake drill. This would be my preferred route henceforth.

[nitinr30]

Originally Posted by androdev

Did this route yesterday: Blore > Kunigal > CRPatna > Holenarsipur (via SH-121) > Arakalgod > Ramanathapura > Konanur > Kushalnagar > Madikeri

Observations:
Good roads through out except for a tiny stretch of bad road inside konanur village
SH-121 (see previous posts) is better than SH-8 route (no speed breakers and no traffic)
Ramanathapura route doesn't have winding roads like Somwarpet route, which I prefer when traveling with family but others might prefer more scenic + winding roads of Somwarpet.
There is hardly any traffic between CRPatna and Kushalnagar on this route.
Some uneven (but no damages) surfaces, villages, speed breakers, etc. contribute to low average speeds but it is totally stress free due to lack of traffic and winding roads.
No traffic, no fuel stops, no restaurants, no rest rooms etc.

I thought this route is too "unhappening" till I hit the Kushalnagar-Madikeri stretch, then I realised how stress free it was compared to the constant tailgate/overtake drill. This would be my preferred route henceforth.

Chief, does the route have hairpins or it's just a regular uphill like Coonoor etc? Planning a trip with family and didn't want to go through any risky routes. Can you suggest?

[androdev]

Originally Posted by nitinr30

Chief, does the route have hairpins or it's just a regular uphill like Coonoor etc? Planning a trip with family and didn't want to go through any risky routes. Can you suggest?

Not a single hairpin bend till you reach Khushalnagar. When you view the google map, you can see that this route doesn't touch the ghat section. It is just a lonely stretch on a plain terrain, great for a ride with family. Remember it gets pretty lonely without any traffic or restaurants - so do it during daytime and plan your breaks.

Also default google maps directions won't use this route, so you need to explicitly use intermediate waypoints. I used "CR Patna", "Hale Kanche", "Ramanathapura", "Madikeri" as the way points to force this route.

[nitinr30]

Originally Posted by androdev

Not a single hairpin bend till you reach Khushalnagar. When you view the google map, you can see that this route doesn't touch the ghat section. It is just a lonely stretch on a plain terrain, great for a ride with family. Remember it gets pretty lonely without any traffic or restaurants - so do it during daytime and plan your breaks.

Also default google maps directions won't use this route, so you need to explicitly use intermediate waypoints. I used "CR Patna", "Hale Kanche", "Ramanathapura", "Madikeri" as the way points to force this route.

Thanks Chief. Trip deferred for next week, but will use this info and report back.

[Stryker]

I had been to Madikeri last weekend (22 to 24 April 2016) and took the usual Mysore > Hunsur > Kushalnagar > Madikeri route. Boring, done it many times. Basically, been there, done that. This was mainly because of the time we started (7:00 AM) and the abundance of eating places along the way. Reached Madikeri by 12:30 PM.

But on the way back, based on advise here, I decided to take this route:

Madikeri > Somwarpet > Shanivarsanthe > Arkalgud > Holenarsipura > C R Patna > NH48 to BLR

I had a mile wide smile by the time I reached Holenarsipura!

The road from Madikeri to Shanivarsanthe is to be experienced to be believed. Although it is a single lane road, it is in excellent condition, I didn't come across a single major pothole anywhere. There are very few minor ones too, what there are are mainly near areas where water flows continuously across the road from the hills, so that is to be expected. What brought the smile on is the nature of the road and the scenery we were passing through. The road is twisting and turning all the time, I think it is not straight for more than a 100 meters at a stretch! There was hardly any traffic when I drove down. For long periods I was alone on the road with no one either coming or going. I started from Madikeri by 11:00 AM and reached Arkalgud by around 12:00 noon for a distance of around 90 kms. The scenery is almost unrelieved greenery (yes, I'm talking about summer, one of the hottest on record) all the way. One coffee estate after another in an almost unending sequence. There are some very small hamlets of three or four houses along the way with maybe a shop open.

The route from Shanivarsanthe to Arkalgud is one of gradually changing scenery, as the land flattens out after a few kms and then becomes very flat. Here there are reasonably long stretches of straight roads and you can make up for some lost time.

Due to the nature of the road and the maximum average speed you can maintain it will definitely take longer overall than the Mysore route, but it is really worth the time. It will also tax you as a driver as you cannot take your eyes off the road for even a second since you will invariably heading into or getting out of a turn all the time. Moreover, visibility is very limited as you obviously cannot see beyond the immediate turn ahead as there are hills and trees covering the view. Switch off the AC, keep your windows open and turn down your music, so that you can hear the horn of an oncoming vehicle. They are few and far between but you don't want to get caught unawares.

Now, some of you may not like this kind of road. People who feel car sick are sincerely advised not to take this road. I saw a couple of cars by the road side with a passenger bent over and heaving. I cannot imagine what will happen to a driver who starts changing colour to green on this road.

But if you are like me and want to get off the crowded highways and the boring runs, then this is a very good road to try out.

[bennyv]

Thanks for all the posts. Very helpful.

I'm planning to go to Madikeri tomorrow morning around 8AM. Myself and my wife - 2006 model Santro. I'd be going from Ramamurthy nagar, Bangalore to "Hotel Madikeri Heritage" (Daswal Cross Road, Near Pvt. Bus Stand, Mahadevpet, Madikeri).

I saw in many posts that it if you are going in the morning, it is better to choose the Mysore route than the CR Pattana route. So I was planning to go via the Mysore route and while coming back - via the CR Pattana route. But when I checked the route (from my house to the hotel) today morning in google maps, it doesn’t even show the Mysore route. Is it because my starting point and destination are nearer to the CR Pattana route?

Any suggestions please?

[NPV]

Originally Posted by bennyv

I saw in many posts that it if you are going in the morning, it is better to choose the Mysore route than the CR Pattana route. So I was planning to go via the Mysore route and while coming back - via the CR Pattana route.

Google maps may have gotten smarter, I tried the same search and it doesn't even suggest Mysore route as an option
Anyways, you can take either:
1.Bangalore-Nelamangala-Channarayapatna-Holenarasipura-Arkalgud-Somwarpet-Madikeri (nice twisty roads with estates on either side)

Some options for breaks are at Yediyur (Swathi Delicacy, Adigas), Bellur Cross (Mayura). Make sure you don't miss the left turn on the outskirts of CR Patna to get in towards town and then take the Holenarasipura road.

2.Bangalore-Mysore-Kushalnagar-Madikeri

Lots of options for breaks, its a food court all the way. However, I would suggest starting early say 5am and then taking the Mysore outer ring road at Columbia Asia signal. On this road there is a restaurant called Kalyani where you can stop and then proceed on the same road towards Kushalnagar.

I think the option of taking #2 for onward and #1 for return is a good idea.

[ajithbr]

Originally Posted by NPV

Anyways, you can take either:
1.Bangalore-Nelamangala-Channarayapatna-Holenarasipura-Arkalgud-Somwarpet-Madikeri (nice twisty roads with estates on either side)
2.Bangalore-Mysore-Kushalnagar-Madikeri

I think the option of taking #2 for onward and #1 for return is a good idea.

Strongly agree.
I think there is always more rush towards Bangalore from Mysore side, than out of Bangalore in the Mysore road(anyways, we always plan to start from Bangalore at a time beating peak traffic on this stretch)

[bennyv]

Thanks friends!
Traveled to Madikeri and back to Blore.
Onward journey on Saturday morning via Mysore. Surprisingly not too much traffic. (Last time I went one afternoon to Mysore - it was horrible).
Back to Blore on Monday afternoon/evening. Wonderful and almost empty roads. Enjoyed this ride than the Mysore one.

[airbus]

We will be driving to Virajpet (Club Mahindra) on this Friday morning and return on Sunday afternoon. Please suggest route and road condition.

My plan is to take Bangalore - Mysore - Hunsur - Virajpet and return via Virajpet - Kushalnagar - Ramanathapura - Arakalagud - Holenarasipur - Channarayapattana - NH48 - Bangalore.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by airbus

return via Virajpet - Kushalnagar - Ramanathapura - Arakalagud - Holenarasipur - Channarayapattana - NH48 - Bangalore.

I would recommend the following alternate too:

Virajpet - Hunsur - KR Nagar - Holenarsipura - CR Patna - NH48. Tried and tested by many and super clean roads end to end.

[Prowler]

I am planning a drive to Coorg in the first week of July from Madras : Madras - > Mysore (halt at Mysore) -> Coorg. On return I will halt in Bangalore on my way.

On my way back - I plan to take the Somwarpet - >Arakalgud -> Holenesipur -> Kunigal -> Bangalore -> Madras. I like deserted mountainous roads.

I know the weather may not be so kind. But will it be a major issue ? I am looking for a relaxed drive and stay. Any help would be much appreciated.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Prowler

But will it be a major issue ? I am looking for a relaxed drive and stay. Any help would be much appreciated.

Absolutely not mate, Just enjoy your drive.

It becomes dangerous only when the rains are torrential and are causing havoc uprooting trees and washing away roads and hence disconnecting towns.

However, in such cases, you would normally be aware due to news and weather forecasts and can always take the alternate routes back.

[deepcdc]

Good inputs ! Thanks everybody. I'm planning to drive to Coorg on 22nd, Renting a swift from zoomcar. Did not there is a Tibetan Monastery at Bylakuppe. Should be fun.