Friday, September 12, 2014

Ride to Manchanabele Dam - Savandurga - Magadi - Huliyurdurga - Kunigal

This page is still under construction
September 7, 2014

A beautiful ride through the villages, fields, hills and reserved forests.
This was the second ride on my new Bullet 500.

We started off at 7 a.m. Knowing that our food options were fewer, we stopped at our favorite idly point on Uttarahalli main road for breakfast and also packed some idlis for lunch.

Post breakfast, we continued onto uttarhalli main road to join Mysore Road, where we took a left towards Mysore. At Hejjala junction we took a right at the sign board which says 13 k.m to Manchanabele Dam. After riding for 20 mins we reached Manchanabele Dam . Stopped there for a while to click a couple of pics with Manchanabele Dam and Savandurga in the background.
We thought of getting closer to the water through one of the roads but its was closed to our bad luck.



Isnt that good enough for a facebook profile pic .. :)


Our Group - Bro, Sis , Me and my wife.

Came across a cyclist who happened to be from my locality. He was kind enough to click some group pictures.
We continued onto Magadi via Savandurga through Savandurga reserve forest. The road is patchy initially and gets better as you approach Savandurga.

A very calm road though the forest with hardly any vehicles.




Weather was ideal for a trek up the Savandurga hill. However, due to time constraint we decide to move on to Magadi.

A glimpse of Magadi fort.
The route from Magadi to Huliyurdurga is a patchy but worth the ride. 
We stopped for lunch few k.ms before Huliyurdurga. Got off the road looking for a nice place to rest and have lunch . Came across a flat surface overlooking the nearby hill and the field at the foot hills which we found to be an ideal place.


Fun time 
Post lunch we moved towards Koppa. Previously I had cycled through Koppa and was taken away by the beautiful fields along the roadside . I wanted to get back there this time , but we missed the road completely. I felt I should have done a better job while planning this route. However,it was a nice experience passing by the villages while practicing some off-roading skills.

Bridge across Shimsha River.

Natural speed breakers 








We decided to head back to Huliyurdurga and then push towards Kunigal.
Reached the main road at Nidasale where we took a left to Kunigal which is around 25 k.m.
The road to Kunigal is pretty good in shape with lesser traffic and greenery on both sides.

Stopped at Kunigal for some refreshment . Had dosa and a nice cup of coffee in a hotel near Kunigal bus stop.

We decided not take the highway to bangalore via Nelamangala instead we choose to get back home via Magadi and Thippgondanahalli reservior.
Bro and Sis showcasing some camera skills.
There's isnt much traffic until Sunkadakatte and can be covered in good time. Along the way, farmers sell some fresh vegetables and groundnuts. Don't miss out on the tender Knol Khol and fresh carrots they are very tasty and lot cheaper. 

Reached home after completing 240 k.m of ride. A very fun filled , refreshing and a memorable ride.



Ride to Valparai and Munnar


Here is the much awaited ride of the year.

Planned Dates : 2nd Oct to 6th Oct
Trip Distance : 1500 k.m
Places Planned : Valparai , Munaar

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rzyae

Photo Courtesy : Internet :) . Thanks to all the amazing pictures.

Best part of the ride to Valparai is the 40 hair pin curves. A thrilling ride to the top and back down.


Along the route we come across breathtaking views of the tea estates.







Monkey Falls: A waterfall along the route to Valparai. As the name says, this falls is crowded with monkeys and our visit to the falls will add to the count :) :) .


Nirar Dam:






Kodiakanal :





More details to come.

Day wise plan:
  • Day 1 : Drive to Coimbatore
  • Day 2 : Valparai
  • Day 3 : 
  • Day 4 : Munnar
  • Day 5 : Drive back to Bangalore
Day 1

Bhuvaneshwari nagar---> Krishnagiri---> Salem/Erode---> Coimbatore.
Distance - 364km
Time - 7hr drive + 3 hr break.
Breakfast point : Krishnagiri (91km)
Lunch : Salem (112km)/ Erode(172km)
Dinner : Coimbatore (167km/100km)

Day 2
Coimbatore  > Valparai
Distance :

Day 3:

Day 4 :  Munnar

Day 5 : Palani > Bangalore
400 k.m.


Stay Options:
Valparai :
  • Gayathri Home stay : 09487847892 . 
  • http://www.gayathriresorts.com/contact.php
  • Srilakshmi Mess : 9443460986 ; 9443818047 ; 9442010991 ;
  •  http://valparaisrilakshmimess.blogspot.in/
Places of Interest:
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.in/2013/05/valparai-places-of-interest-ii.html
Aliyar : Aliyar Dam, Monkey Falls
Loam's View Point - 9th hair pin bend
Attakatti view point
Nirar Dam

Sholayar Dam

View points: http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.in/2013/05/valparai-places-of-interest-iii.html

Nallamudi View point : http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.in/2013/05/valparai-places-of-interest-iii.html

Add ons:
Peringalkuthu Dam : Need special permission.
Topslip : http://topslip.co.in/