[_chikku]

After a long time took Elavala - Shrirangapatna route. The roads have been almost redone (asphalted) except for some 400 meters , which is completely dug up. And there was a left diversion at the Elavala end.

[rohanak1]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Earlier all HP Stations accepted Amex wherever cards were accepted.

Not only do they accept Amex cards, they also provide 3% cashback as per the list given by amex .
I need to actually check it out tomorrow

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by rohanak1

Not only do they accept Amex cards, they also provide 3% cashback as per the list given by amex .
I need to actually check it out tomorrow

Brilliant. Glad that it helped.

For me, its a rare case to refuel between Bangalore and Hassan as a tankful is enough for my Belur-Chikmagalur runs with the range I get from my Diesel Ertiga.

However, I usually don't forget to note down anything worthy and this one certainly is good news that I can share with anyone else travelling that side with their Amex cards.

[vijay_k]

Hi,

I am planning to drive to Kukke Subrahmanya this weekend from Bangalore. Please suggest me a good route, I want to avoid Shiradi and Bisle Ghat as the road conditions are worst now.

Vijay

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by vijay_k

Hi,

I am planning to drive to Kukke Subrahmanya this weekend from Bangalore. Please suggest me a good route, I want to avoid Shiradi and Bisle Ghat as the road conditions are worst now.

Vijay

Madikeri - Sampaje - Aranthodu - Devachalla - Kukke seems like a good option to avoid Shiradi and Charmadi won't make sense for Kukke as it adds almost 80-90 kms extra even with all good roads.

On how you want to reach Madikeri - Via Mysore, Via Somvarpet, Via Holenarasipura - KR Nagar is something you can take a call based on priorities.

[JMaruru]

What is the better routing to approach 'Kottigehara'?

Hassan - Sakleshpur - Hanbal - Kottigehara

OR

Hassan - Belur - Kottigehara

I have trip coming up end of this week to M'lore.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by JMaruru

What is the better routing to approach 'Kottigehara'?

Hassan - Sakleshpur - Hanbal - Kottigehara

OR

Hassan - Belur - Kottigehara

I have trip coming up end of this week to M'lore.

I'd prefer the Belur route. The Sakleshpura-Hanbal route is a narrow road and oncoming traffic especially the trucks and Jeeps usually force traffic off the road onto the muddy shoulder and quite a high embankment on the sides will not make it any better.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by JMaruru

What is the better routing to approach 'Kottigehara'?

Hassan - Sakleshpur - Hanbal - Kottigehara

OR

Hassan - Belur - Kottigehara

I have trip coming up end of this week to M'lore.

Both are Good options.

The Hassan Sakleshpur will be faster as well. Less humps to pass compared to Hassan Belur.

Also, roads from Sakleshpur - Anemahal - Hanbal - Jannapura is fantastic, very less traffic in every way.

Another advantage is that you will hit Belur Mudigere Road directly at Jannapura from where Mudigere is faster due to absence of any curvaceous sections which you would otherwise get between Belur-Cheeknahalli-Jannapura.

The only disadvantage that I really see with Sakleshpur Route is crossing Sakleshpur itself but again you need to cross Belur too.

Traffic wise you know how Hassan Sakleshpur will be anyway and between Belur Mudigere and Sakleshpur Mudigere, the Sakleshpur Hanbal Jannapura will have least traffic and the roads are not narrow, they are fantastic as I mentioned above, good enough for a Truck and a car to pass without slowing down.

NPV - I am not sure if you drove post repairs. The roads between Sakleshpur to Hanbal and beyond till Jannapura (Post) are fantastic now. No more painful shoulders or bad road and to top it all, traffic is least here.

[NaveenKD]

I have a wedding to attend in Belthangady on Thu (17th Morning) and I need to reach there by 9am. I don't want to start early morning 3am with family and kid. If I start from Bangalore around 5pm on 16th, which is the best place to make a night halt? Idea is to start next day morning at 6am and reach Belthangady by 9am.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by NaveenKD

I have a wedding to attend in Belthangady on Thu (17th Morning) and I need to reach there by 9am. I don't want to start early morning 3am with family and kid. If I start from Bangalore around 5pm on 16th, which is the best place to make a night halt? Idea is to start next day morning at 6am and reach Belthangady by 9am.

Hassan and that makes prefect sense. Will be around 3 hours Max from Bangalore.

Lots of options to stay now new (and good hotels).

1. Sri Krishna
2. Mallige Residency
3. Southern Star
4. Palguni Residency
5. Suvarna Regency
5. Hotel Rama (new and very positive reviews from my folks who stayed here)and closest to the Bypass.

Next Morning with 6am Start, you will be at Mudigere by 0700/0715 and easily make it to Belthangady by 0900.

Mind you, in its present state of Shiradi Ghats, I will take Charmadi any day.

You have full length videos of both ghats if you flip a page or two back to decide.

[NaveenKD]

Thanks Parag.
Even I have decided on Hotel Raama. Hoysala village is not worth for an overnight stay.
How will be the fog scene in charmaadi at ~ 7am?

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by NaveenKD

How will be the fog scene in charmaadi at ~ 7am?

Mixed bag I would say. You can expect fog around this time of the year at 0700AM.

I drove Charmadi twice last month and both the times it was between 6-8PM and there was fog, especially in the stretch from Kottigehara till you cross Chikmagalur District Border (or when 1st Hair Pin Curve starts).

Under dense fog, switch on your headlights and drive to alert other and also advise to keep the Googlemaps running which will always give hints whether the next curve is a simple Turn or a Hair Pin bend. Always helps even if you cannot rely on this fully.

[charansuki]

Hi,

I am planning to do a cycling expedition from kalasa to sringeri. The route that we have planned is Kalasa>Horadu>Shantigrama>Sringeri and the same road back.

Does anyone know how are the roads now? I had done this road 4 years on car and it was mostly good but some stretches were pathetic, also it was getting redone. Has the roads improved now and would this have less traffic (mainly worried about cycling)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[fast_elegance]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Both are Good options.

Also, roads from Sakleshpur - Anemahal - Hanbal - Jannapura is fantastic, very less traffic in every way.

Parag, where exactly do we need to take this deviation towards Anemahal - Hanbal from Sakleshpur?

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

Parag, where exactly do we need to take this deviation towards Anemahal - Hanbal from Sakleshpur?

Pardon me for the delay in responding. Was driving all day.

The deviation is 500 meters after crossing Surabhi Hotel on your right.

I vaguely remember that it's marked and for destination like Hanbal and Mudigere.

Keep your maps on and give destination as Hanbal soon after crossing Hassan and you will be directed rightly so.