[jkrishnakj]

+ 1. Pls use Belur-Charmady-Ujjire to get to Udupi. Good roads all through.

NICE road Tumkur Road exit, onto elevated flyover and then onto the Hassan highway turnoff.

[elroydsilva]

The following video shows that the Shiradi ghat road to Mangalore is very doable. Can anyone comment on its current state? Approximately how much rumbling should one expect?

For Udupi, is it better to do Shiradi and then take a diversion through Dharmasthala?

Hoping to avoid Charmadi as it can be a little unpredictable during the rains. Madikeri route could become a bit too long. Another reason to prefer Shiradi is that I have 3yo who doesn't like twisties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1XeIU0F6uk

[DetectiveMiles]

Originally Posted by elroydsilva

The following video shows that the Shiradi ghat road to Mangalore is very doable. Can anyone comment on its current state? Approximately how much rumbling should one expect?

I have been travelling frequently via Shiradi. Travelled last Tuesday, the road between Sakaleshapura and Donigal is in good condition. But I can't comment on construction work ongoing between Gundya and BC Road. I generally take left at Gundya and travel to Puttur to avoid ongoing construction work, little longer but smooth and comfortable.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by DetectiveMiles

But I can't comment on construction work ongoing between Gundya and BC Road. I generally take left at Gundya and travel to Puttur to avoid ongoing construction work, little longer but smooth and comfortable.

Do you mean you head towards Uppinangady and then take left towards Puttur or do you take the left towards Subramanya and go via Kadaba?

Could you share the route you take?

[DetectiveMiles]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Do you mean you head towards Uppinangady and then take left towards Puttur or do you take the left towards Subramanya and go via Kadaba?

Could you share the route you take?

I take left at Gundya and then take right towards Uppinangady befor Kukke Subramanya, Take left at Alankar junction, take right at Kudmar and go to Puttur.

[elroydsilva]

Originally Posted by DetectiveMiles

I take left at Gundya and then take right towards Uppinangady befor Kukke Subramanya, Take left at Alankar junction, take right at Kudmar and go to Puttur.

Thanks, buddy! Will take this route next week! I checked the street view on GMaps and the roads look really good.

[udidecoy.2302]

Travelled from Mangalore to Bengaluru yesterday via Shirady Ghat. Stretch of roads till Kalladka is not that great. Having said that, this felt much better when compared against the road conditions between Uppinangady and Sakleshpur.

Having said that, once you see the Ghats in their prime glory with greenery spread all around, it does make you forget the tumultuous roads that you have just tread through.

I travelled in a Hatchback and had to watch out for few deep craters (calling them a pothole is not fair).

[binand]

Looks like I'm about to become a regular on this thread. My son has been offered admission at Manipal Institute of Technology, and his reporting date there is 17/7 (coming Monday). We plan to start from Bangalore on 16/7, early morning so that we reach Udupi mid-afternoon while sun is still out. I have booked myself into a hotel in Adi-Udupi area (looks like a forgettable one; all others are sold out).

What would be the easiest route to take? I have driven along NH 75 till Hassan (and then toward Chikkamagaluru) in the past; that much I'm familiar with. Beyond Hassan which is the right route for a Sunday mid-morning drive? Google Maps shows a warren of roads; to me it looks like the best option is Hassan > Belur > Charmady > Belthangadi > Karkala > Padubidri > Udupi. Is that correct?

I am fairly experienced, and I drive an Endeavour.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by binand

Google Maps shows a warren of roads; to me it looks like the best option is Hassan > Belur > Charmady > Belthangadi > Karkala > Padubidri > Udupi. Is that correct?

I am fairly experienced, and I drive an Endeavour.

This is a very scenic route. You will find 100s of waterfalls, amazing views of valleys and mountains and plenty of fog on Charmadi ghat.

But it is also a narrow road. One traffic accident can backup traffic for kms. Right now it is filled to the brim with tourists.

Since you drive an Endy, I suggest taking Shiradi for driving to Manipal. That would be Hassan-Sakleshpur-Gundya-Dharmastala-Karkala-Padubidri-Udupi. You can take Charmadi on the way back. A friend from Bangalore did the same this weekend, he was very impressed with both routes.

Originally Posted by binand

so that we reach Udupi mid-afternoon while sun is still out.

Sun!!! What is that?

A scenic drive from Udupi to Manipal, this was from yesterday, you can see Manipal University buildings in the distance. Watch in 4K quality.

https://youtu.be/YI-_F9mew9k

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by binand

to me it looks like the best option is Hassan > Belur > Charmady > Belthangadi > Karkala > Padubidri > Udupi. Is that correct?

I am fairly experienced, and I drive an Endeavour.

I took this route last month and its good all through. During the return, I took the Manipal route. I have posted a detailed update in the below post,

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post5565886

[jkrishnakj]

Originally Posted by binand

Looks like I'm about to become a regular on this thread. My son has been offered admission at Manipal Institute of Technology, and his reporting date there is 17/7 (coming Monday). We plan to start from Bangalore on 16/7, early morning so that we reach Udupi mid-afternoon while sun is still out. I have booked myself into a hotel in Adi-Udupi area (looks like a forgettable one; all others are sold out).

Hassan > Belur > Charmady > Belthangadi > Karkala > Padubidri > Udupi. Is that correct?

I am fairly experienced, and I drive an Endeavour.

Congrats to your son. Exactly the same reason that makes me come back to this thread since last year.

I usually take Charmadi. Last month, I took Shiradi and to Karkala via Dharmasthala.

Please see if ‘Manipal Atalia’ service apartments are available. Very good ones and you can’t go wrong.

If you may need any more inputs please do DM me. Cheers.

[binand]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I suggest taking Shiradi for driving to Manipal [and] Charmadi on the way back.

Originally Posted by arun_josie

I took [the Charmadi] route last month and its good all through.

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

I usually take Charmadi. Last month, I took Shiradi and to Karkala via Dharmasthala.

Thanks, everyone. I will take Shiradi on the way out and Charmadi while returning.

One question, to hit NH 66 - why is Belthangadi-Karkala-Padubidri better than Belthangadi-Mudbidri-Mulki? The latter seems to hit NH 66 earlier and the distance also seems lesser? Is the only reason to prefer the former, that we skip the Hejamadi toll?

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by binand

One question, to hit NH 66 - why is Belthangadi-Karkala-Padubidri better than Belthangadi-Mudbidri-Mulki? The latter seems to hit NH 66 earlier and the distance also seems lesser? Is the only reason to prefer the former, that we skip the Hejamadi toll?

If you check in the google maps, the reality will prevail.

Belthangadi-Karkala-Padubidri -> 75Kms in 1h25m
Belthangadi-Mudbidri-Mulki-Padubidri -> 70kms in 1h45m (and pay toll)

This is because Bajagoli to Padubidri is a superb 4-lane highway. The other route is 2-lane all the way to Mulki.

Tomorrow I am driving back to Bangalore, I will check out Charmadi this time. Have to start early to compensate for tourist crowd.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Tomorrow I am driving back to Bangalore, I will check out Charmadi this time. Have to start early to compensate for tourist crowd.

I already did 2 weeks ago; plus Dr.AD and gang did too - roads are all good. Please test Bisle ghat I need to do a return Mangalore to Bangalore this weekend and I would love to go on that if the roads are good.

[DetectiveMiles]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

I already did 2 weeks ago; plus Dr.AD and gang did too - roads are all good. Please test Bisle ghat I need to do a return Mangalore to Bangalore this weekend and I would love to go on that if the roads are good.

Took Bisile last Sunday while returning and joined to Donigal instead of going directly to Channaraya pattana.
Bisile road is decent, concrete has become rough in many places, also some places they have done widening of rainwater gutters. Digging done for this is not properly finished, so you may scrape if not very slow.
After you cross Bisile View point, it is smooth and beautiful till Donigal junction.