Chikmagalur - A monsoon drive in Western Ghats!


Last week we were in Chikmagalur. 

The idea was to do nothing but go for drives in the western ghats. If you are a driving freak like us, nothing can be more pleasurable than driving in monsoon in these mountains when nature is at its best. It is green everywhere. The waterfalls which are invisible in other months are at their glorious best. Driving on the foggy roads hugged by mountains and valleys is an experience in itself.

It was raining cats and dogs in Chikmagalur. Our drive to Mullayanagiri was an adventure. The fog was so high we could hardly see any thing. Whenever the fog cleared a bit, we could see the valley. Driving carefully and hoping that visibility does not deteriorate, we reached the summit. It was too windy and rainy. It was as if we were inside a cloud. 

Coming down from the summit, we headed towards Kemmanagundi. This was a fantastic drive except for the last fifteen KMs when the road turns bad. Cars with low ground clearance should take a U turn and return back at this point.

Driving a Scorpio helped. Join us as we take you through the drive!!

Like the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words", these pictures will paint a lovely journey.

Mist clad valleys



Water falls, water falls everywhere!

Driving on the foggy road
Fog cleared and rain drenched road
........Foggy again
The Gopura of the Shiva temple at the foot hill of Mullayanagiri
Waterfalls again.....
Beautiful waterfall on the way to Kemmanagundi - Shot in different angles and shutter speed


The road condition is fantastic making drive a pleasure
Water cascading with full force

The water fall seen above plunges from a great height. It is not accessible but can be seen from a distance

Green meadows

Fog clears and we get a glimpse of valley
Foggy road again
From here, the road condition to Kemmanagundi deteriorate
Lovely meadows on the way to Habbe Falls
The view of Mullayanagiri ranges when we drove from Lingadahalli on the way back from Kemmanagundi
These are few videos we shot of the drives

a) Monsoon drive - 1

b) Monsoon Drive - 2

c) Monsoon drive - 3

d) Monsoon drive - 4

Travel Tips

Getting there

By Road - There are plenty of buses by state run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to Chikmagalur from different parts of the state. If you are driving by car, it is at a distance of 240 KMs from Bangalore. The road condition is very good and driving time will be 5.30 hours with a break.

By Train - There is no direct train to Chikmagalur. The nearest rail-head is Kadur on Bangalore - Mumbai line. All important trains stop here. Kadur is 35 KMs from Chikmagalur and there are plenty of buses and taxis from here to Chikmagalur

By Air - The nearest airport is Mangalore which is at a distance of 200 KMs.

Stay options

The best way to enjoy Chikmagalur and Malnad is to stay in many home stays in the region. Since most of the home-stays are in Coffee estates, it will give you an opportunity to experience estate life as well. If you are a "resort type" of person, then there are resorts as well.

Resorts & their websites
Home Stays & their websites
Lodges & their websites

Planters court - The Planters court

Other information

a) Chikmagalur is a driving enthusiast's dream. The hill roads, greenery, waterfalls, rivers makes this a real pleasure. Though monsoon drives are exhilarating, any season is good.

b) Minimum three days are required to explore Chikmagalur. Places not be missed (along with their web links) -
c) Try authentic "Malnad cuisine" served in the home-stays.

d) "Town canteen" in Chikmagalur town is famous for "Butter Masala Dosa". Don't miss it.

e) Driving up Mullayanagiri is only for experienced drivers. The last three KMs is very narrow and needs to be very careful.

f) MG Park in Chikmagalur town is a good place for kids. It has musical fountain which is operated in the evenings.

g) If you are a golf enthusiast, then try putting in Chikmagalur golf club. Check with the hotel or home stay personnel for more details.

h)  Winters are best for watching the sun rise and sun sets at Mullayanagiri.

i) Chikmagalur is also the base for many treks in western ghats. If you are a trekking enthusiast, check this link Trekking in Western Ghats

j) Carry a good Binoculars to enjoy the valley views from the hills and also for bird watching.

Glossary

Western Ghats - Mountain ranges in Peninsular India
Malnad - Mountainous region of Karnataka state
Hoysala - A medieval dynasty that ruled parts of South India
Masala Dosa - Indian pan cake made of rice and lentil with a stuffing of spicy potato and onion

Also check out this post 

Spectacular Sunrise in Mullayyanagiri!

Planning to drive in Monsoon this year? These posts in this blog will be helpful. Please click on links below

10 Places to experience monsoon in India!

Monsoon drive in Western Ghats - An itinerary to experience it!

Monsoon drive in Malnad - Countless waterfalls & Visual bliss!

Sakleshpur - Mesmerised in Monsoon!

Please check out the following related posts on Chikmagalur

a) Sunrise in Mullayanagiri

b) Halebid - Zenith of Hoysala Architecture!

c) Driving Holidays from Bangalore 2 - Magical Malnad

d) Alekan Falls

Did you like this post?  Do you need help in planning a trip to Chikmagalur? You are welcome to write at poorna62@gmail.com.

Happy to help.


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A Travel Blog from India: Chikmagalur - A monsoon drive in Western Ghats!

Saturday 25 August 2012

Chikmagalur - A monsoon drive in Western Ghats!


Last week we were in Chikmagalur. 

The idea was to do nothing but go for drives in the western ghats. If you are a driving freak like us, nothing can be more pleasurable than driving in monsoon in these mountains when nature is at its best. It is green everywhere. The waterfalls which are invisible in other months are at their glorious best. Driving on the foggy roads hugged by mountains and valleys is an experience in itself.

It was raining cats and dogs in Chikmagalur. Our drive to Mullayanagiri was an adventure. The fog was so high we could hardly see any thing. Whenever the fog cleared a bit, we could see the valley. Driving carefully and hoping that visibility does not deteriorate, we reached the summit. It was too windy and rainy. It was as if we were inside a cloud. 

Coming down from the summit, we headed towards Kemmanagundi. This was a fantastic drive except for the last fifteen KMs when the road turns bad. Cars with low ground clearance should take a U turn and return back at this point.

Driving a Scorpio helped. Join us as we take you through the drive!!

Like the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words", these pictures will paint a lovely journey.

Mist clad valleys



Water falls, water falls everywhere!

Driving on the foggy road
Fog cleared and rain drenched road
........Foggy again
The Gopura of the Shiva temple at the foot hill of Mullayanagiri
Waterfalls again.....
Beautiful waterfall on the way to Kemmanagundi - Shot in different angles and shutter speed


The road condition is fantastic making drive a pleasure
Water cascading with full force

The water fall seen above plunges from a great height. It is not accessible but can be seen from a distance

Green meadows

Fog clears and we get a glimpse of valley
Foggy road again
From here, the road condition to Kemmanagundi deteriorate
Lovely meadows on the way to Habbe Falls
The view of Mullayanagiri ranges when we drove from Lingadahalli on the way back from Kemmanagundi
These are few videos we shot of the drives

a) Monsoon drive - 1

b) Monsoon Drive - 2

c) Monsoon drive - 3

d) Monsoon drive - 4

Travel Tips

Getting there

By Road - There are plenty of buses by state run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to Chikmagalur from different parts of the state. If you are driving by car, it is at a distance of 240 KMs from Bangalore. The road condition is very good and driving time will be 5.30 hours with a break.

By Train - There is no direct train to Chikmagalur. The nearest rail-head is Kadur on Bangalore - Mumbai line. All important trains stop here. Kadur is 35 KMs from Chikmagalur and there are plenty of buses and taxis from here to Chikmagalur

By Air - The nearest airport is Mangalore which is at a distance of 200 KMs.

Stay options

The best way to enjoy Chikmagalur and Malnad is to stay in many home stays in the region. Since most of the home-stays are in Coffee estates, it will give you an opportunity to experience estate life as well. If you are a "resort type" of person, then there are resorts as well.

Resorts & their websites
Home Stays & their websites
Lodges & their websites

Planters court - The Planters court

Other information

a) Chikmagalur is a driving enthusiast's dream. The hill roads, greenery, waterfalls, rivers makes this a real pleasure. Though monsoon drives are exhilarating, any season is good.

b) Minimum three days are required to explore Chikmagalur. Places not be missed (along with their web links) -
c) Try authentic "Malnad cuisine" served in the home-stays.

d) "Town canteen" in Chikmagalur town is famous for "Butter Masala Dosa". Don't miss it.

e) Driving up Mullayanagiri is only for experienced drivers. The last three KMs is very narrow and needs to be very careful.

f) MG Park in Chikmagalur town is a good place for kids. It has musical fountain which is operated in the evenings.

g) If you are a golf enthusiast, then try putting in Chikmagalur golf club. Check with the hotel or home stay personnel for more details.

h)  Winters are best for watching the sun rise and sun sets at Mullayanagiri.

i) Chikmagalur is also the base for many treks in western ghats. If you are a trekking enthusiast, check this link Trekking in Western Ghats

j) Carry a good Binoculars to enjoy the valley views from the hills and also for bird watching.

Glossary

Western Ghats - Mountain ranges in Peninsular India
Malnad - Mountainous region of Karnataka state
Hoysala - A medieval dynasty that ruled parts of South India
Masala Dosa - Indian pan cake made of rice and lentil with a stuffing of spicy potato and onion

Also check out this post 

Spectacular Sunrise in Mullayyanagiri!

Planning to drive in Monsoon this year? These posts in this blog will be helpful. Please click on links below

10 Places to experience monsoon in India!

Monsoon drive in Western Ghats - An itinerary to experience it!

Monsoon drive in Malnad - Countless waterfalls & Visual bliss!

Sakleshpur - Mesmerised in Monsoon!

Please check out the following related posts on Chikmagalur

a) Sunrise in Mullayanagiri

b) Halebid - Zenith of Hoysala Architecture!

c) Driving Holidays from Bangalore 2 - Magical Malnad

d) Alekan Falls

Did you like this post?  Do you need help in planning a trip to Chikmagalur? You are welcome to write at poorna62@gmail.com.

Happy to help.


Labels: , ,

15 Comments:

At 8/27/2012 , Blogger Shibaji Dutta said...

I love your posts..it reminds me of karnataka...the pics are wonderful...

 
At 8/27/2012 , Blogger Brinda said...

Thanks Shibaji. The western ghats during this time of the year is eye candy!

 
At 8/29/2012 , Blogger Unknown said...

South India pulls lure tourists from crosswise over the globe. This interesting goal is stitched in by Bedouin Ocean, Indian Sea and Bayou of Bengal. South India Tourism offers inclinations like beaches, natural life, backwaters, legacy landmarks, old temples, mount stations, tea, java and flavor enclosures, Ayurveda and fairs and celebrations. From instinctive wonderfulness to experience in South India Travel

 
At 8/29/2012 , Blogger Srikanth Manjunath said...

Chikamagalur always throws up the surprises from her sleeve on every visit..Whether it is summer/rainy/winter..but she is her best in rainy and winter. The mist clad valleys, playing hide and seek are worth a billion rupee..

Wonderful information about one of my hometown The mist clad Chikamagalur!!!

 
At 9/03/2012 , Blogger INSTINCT said...

this is beautiful. thanks for the lovely narration and the pictures. :)

 
At 12/27/2012 , Blogger Discovery Journeys India said...

Excellent narration and superb photos!

Thanks,

Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 | Sufi Music India

 
At 6/12/2013 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks alot for the pictures adn directions... I am new in bangalore..LOves to drive... Western ghats are my favouret...

 
At 12/19/2013 , Blogger mohanj said...

nice info we are planninf to drive from chennai to chickmagalur by bikes is it worth riding there in jan 2014

 
At 12/19/2013 , Blogger Brinda said...

Thanks Mohan. Yes, Jan is an excellent time for riding in Chikmagalur. Give me a call at 98450 44486 for any help.

 
At 4/29/2014 , Anonymous Journeymart said...

Chikmagalur hill station is a popular town in Karnataka.

 
At 5/10/2014 , Blogger Brinda said...

You are correct. It is popular indeed.

 
At 6/11/2014 , Blogger GSKR said...

we are planning to chickmaglur with my friends in Maruthi SX.How is the road condition from bangalore to chickmagalur ,is it heavy ghat raod.Is this the right time to visit chickmagalur.Kindly suggest best home stays and best places to visit in and around.

 
At 6/23/2014 , Blogger Brinda said...

Thanks GSKR. Why don't you give a call @ 98450 44486. Happy to help!

 
At 11/03/2014 , Anonymous Letzstepout said...

Amazing place.....!
Also visit @ http://www.letzstepout.com

 
At 12/04/2014 , Blogger Unknown said...


Chikmagalur is a awesome place and most visited tourist destination in Karnataka covered with hills and mountains, water falls, coffee plantations and many other. Many homestays in Chikmagalur are being existed across the city, which indicated the popularity of tourist in Chikmagalur.

 

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