[ampere]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Started around 4pm and drove down to Thattekere lake yesterday. Google was suggesting Bannerghata road which we took but the road is not so good. However the view was very good in this route.

Where did you start from at 4PM? I think its too late. Also the location is heavy on elephant activity as I hear.
Looks like the location seems to have lost a lot of green cover?

Here is a post 9 years back!
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...ml#post2528621 (The Trekking Thread)

Cross-posting pictures taken then!

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by ampere

Where did you start from at 4PM? I think its too late. Also the location is heavy on elephant activity as I hear.
Looks like the location seems to have lost a lot of green cover?

Sorry for missing out the specifics.

I started around 4:45PM from Bellandur as it was a rather hot sunny day. Took the Nice road from E-city, took Bannerghata road exit, continued on the highway and then branched off onto the Koppa Gate Nisarga road till the lake. Reached the place around 6:15PM.

Yes this area didn't have much green cover, doesn't look like a dense forest at all but the overall view was not too different from the pictures you shared.

Regarding the elephant activity, we found few traces of elephant dung. Since it was late by the time we reached, we decided to leave asap. The place deserted but there were minimal movements in the area (people from the village next door were moving on that road). We left the place by 6:40PM.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Started around 4pm and drove down to Thattekere lake yesterday. Google was suggesting Bannerghata road which we took but the road is not so good. However the view was very good in this route.

While returning, we took a slightly longer but faster route via Jigani - Bommasandra.
[/ATTACH]

How did you reach this place? Is it via one of the forest area gates? Last month when we tried to reach this place, the gates were closed.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

How did you reach this place? Is it via one of the forest area gates? Last month when we tried to reach this place, the gates were closed.

Yes there are unmanned gates. A decade back when we went, we were told, we can open and head down to the lake/temple.



Dont know what the situation is these days. At least they would allow traffic to the temple. Its a somewhat steep decline from the main road. If I remember the details right! Its been years since that drive!

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by ampere

Yes there are unmanned gates. A decade back when we went, we were told, we can open and head down to the lake/temple.

Yes, its the same entry point that we tried. The gate was closed(not sure if it was something to do with the lock down) and there were no people around. So, we went ahead and tried taking another left, but it was all very narrow roads and we couldn't reach the lake.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

Yes, its the same entry point that we tried. The gate was closed(not sure if it was something to do with the lock down) and there were no people around. So, we went ahead and tried taking another left, but it was all very narrow roads and we couldn't reach the lake.

Even we found this gate locked and were disappointed. Then proceeded straight for another KM and found another route via the village. The road was narrow at the beginning but was wider down the lane. We also crossed another car with a family who were returning from the spot.

This other gate was unmanned and not locked. Since it was late and deserted, we had a brief look and returned.

P.S.: I was reading about the lake yesterday and recent reviews say that the lake has been locked for visitors. If you request the Forest guard(if there's one around, that is), they might allow a 5-10 mins visit but that's it. This is because of crocodiles found in the lake and recent spotting of leopards and elephants near the lake. I suggest NOT to go to the lake now. However the view from the hill nearby is still worth the trip.

My mistake, I should have read up about the place beforehand! It was a impromptu drive and I simply went with my suggestion to visit a lake nearby

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by ashis89

P.S.: I was reading about the lake yesterday and recent reviews say that the lake has been locked for visitors. If you request the Forest guard(if there's one around, that is), they might allow a 5-10 mins visit but that's it. This is because of crocodiles found in the lake and recent spotting of leopards and elephants near the lake. I suggest NOT to go to the lake now. However the view from the hill nearby is still worth the trip.

My mistake, I should have read up about the place beforehand! It was a impromptu drive and I simply went with my suggestion to visit a lake nearby

Thanks for this very important update.

It would be better to add a caution note to your initial post on this with this information.

[dk7729]

Visited Gudibande fort and Bhairasagara lake over Independence day weekend.

The outing was a blend of leisurely drive, perfect weather, mild hike, scenic views, lunch by the lake (home cooked food).

[OrangeCar]

We visited Chunchi falls, which is about 90 odd kms from Bengaluru.

This was via Kanakpura road. With road works, diversions at many places and a two lane road took almost 2.5 to 3 hours to reach.

And the location was closed!

Two civilian men manning the entryway with a string across two poles to indicate closed status of the falls.

Apparently they are still in 'lockdown'.

Google up until a couple days ago mentioned the falls was open. Thankfully the status is now 'temporarily closed'.

So.. do not plan to visit. The blokes at the entry also mentioned other popular spots like Sangam were all under lockdown.

But roads next to the falls were devoid of traffic.. parked by a farm, spent time in the quiet countryside and returned.

Here you go.. was this the first post asking not to go to a cool drive location?

[balenoed_]

A quick question guys - How do you manage the toilet breaks? Particular for the female beings. At the ones at toll booths, petrol pumps or just any hotel like before? Safe enough to get into the hotels? That is the only thing holding me back to get the heck out to some place.

[Rajeevraj]

Finally did a drive on last Sunday. Been halfheartedly planning since the last few weekends but never got going. Initial plan was Shivanasamudra Falls, then seeing pictures here the plan shifted to KR Pet areas and the backwaters. But felt that was a bit long for a first drive and hence finally decided on a smaller trip to places closer to Bangalore.

Plan was to do Avalabetta, Dandaganahalli Dam and the flavor of the season-Gunjur Lake in that order. A small place called Srinivasa Sagara got added. Details on that below

Started around 6.45am on Sunday morning and was at Avalabetta by 8.45am. Not too much of a crowd, but the gate was manned and the forest guard seemed to be randomly letting vehicles up, at the time we reached he was not allowing. We anyway planned to walk up so was not an issue. We then ran into another guard at the temple and he was not allowing people further up saying tickets needs to be booked on MyEcoTrip site. After some time he disappeared and people went their way and we also did the same.

After Avalabetta, plotted to Dandaganahalli Dam, Google routed through a route past Avalabetta , the road was narrow and quite bad for ~10 km till it hit some better roads. Was a little worried taking the route as it was skirting the reserve forest and was pretty deserted. But since we started off- Went ahead. Unfortunately when we reached 3-4 km from Dandaganahalli, we were stopped by a guard who said it was closed. We debated whether to go ahead but then turned back.

The guard suggested this place- Srinivasa Sagara close by and we went there. Not a bad place for a quick stop. Lot of monkeys. Nothing much do do there though. It is a small check dam and reservoir

From there took the very scenic and lovely surfaced SH94 to connect to Tondebavi from NH69-Chikballapur Road and then the even better SH9 to reach Gunjur Lake.

Returned via Dodaballapur-Yelehanka. Overall a good drive after many months with some good 4 lanes, lovely 2 lanes and deserted interior roads. Our intent was mainly a good drive and quick stops at these places. That agenda was met. Some pics below. Route Link here:

Route screen shot


Avalabetta View


Srinivasa Sagara


Gunjur Lake (Had to take the picture of the train snaking through )

[AtheK]

Oh nice you saw the Train

[createrkid]

Thanks to arun_josie for the idea. Drove to mandagiri hills today from south bangalore. Left at about 2 PM and took the NICE road. Drive was pleasant but the traffic at Nelamangala was irritating. Drove around the foothill and found a nice peaceful spot by the lake. The drive back was uneventful with heavy rains and traffic snarls.

Overall, a nicely isolated picnic spot for relaxation. Nobody around but cattle herders.

[airbus]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

A quick question guys - How do you manage the toilet breaks? Particular for the female beings. At the ones at toll booths, petrol pumps or just any hotel like before?

We have done two trips recently:

First - Used pay and use toilet at the location. It was Indian style.

Second - Used at the toll booth. Both Indian and Western styles were available, however at this time Indian style may be better.

We are carrying normal water and liquid soap dispenser in our car for quick hand wash, in addition to multiple hand sanitizers. So, before boarding the car again we either wash or sanitize our hands.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by createrkid

Thanks to arun_josie for the idea. Drove to mandagiri hills today from south bangalore. Left at about 2 PM and took the NICE road. Drive was pleasant but the traffic at Nelamangala was irritating. Drove around the foothill and found a nice peaceful spot by the lake. The drive back was uneventful with heavy rains and traffic snarls.

Overall, a nicely isolated picnic spot for relaxation. Nobody around but cattle herders.

Attachment 2051041

Attachment 2051042

You were allowed to go from the temple parking entrance down to the lake?