The hill station of Chikmagalur is a wonderful getaway from Bangalore. Its close proximity means that you can easily make a short trip without much planning or thinking. In fact, by following our directions, you’re sure to enjoy the sights, sounds and cuisines on your way as these are some of the best road trips in India that you must experience. Here is how you can do a road trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur.
Best Time To Visit
Chikmagalur is a good place to visit any time of the year. However, for a fun trip and a wonderful experience it is always best to visit between September and March. This is when the monsoon has just disappeared, filling up the streams, lakes and waterfalls that makes Chikmagalur look magical.
How to Get There
To get to Chikmagalur you can drive down by bike, car or hire a bus. The roads are great, but an experienced driver would be necessary if you’re driving there yourself, as there are several uphill roads. There are many private and government (KSRTC) buses that operate on this route. Fares for private buses begin at Rs. 499, while government buses will cost Rs. 299.
Route Options
There are three routes by road you can take to get to Chikmagalur from Bangalore, they are mentioned below.
Route 1: The Belur Route
Route Map: Bangalore > Yediyur > Channarayapatna > Hassan > Belur > Chikmagalur
Popular Things to Do On A Bangalore to Chikmagalur Road Trip (The Belur Route)
There are a few interesting places along this route that you could make pit stops at.
- Yediyur Lake: Spend a few hours at this gorgeous lake and try your hand at water scooter rides and boating.
- Gorur Dam: The Gorur Dam is one of the tallest reservoirs in Karnataka, sitting at a height of 146 feet above sea level.
- Shettyhalli Church: The Drowning Church at Shettyhalli, which now lies in ruins, is mostly submerged during the monsoon. An impressive sight.
- Chennakeshava Temple at Belur: The Chennakeshava Temple, featuring intricate stone work, was completed over a period of over 100 years.
- Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid: With architecture typical of the Hoysala period, this temple is a great brief stop, particularly around the Shivratri festival.
Also Read : Bangalore to Pondicherry road trip
Route 2: The Arsikere Route
The second route map is on NH 75 via NH 73 which is around 265 kilometres and takes about five hours to reach Chikmagalur.
Route Map: Bangalore > Kunigal > Yediyur > Dasarighatta > Arsikere > Chikmagalur
Popular things to do on a Road Trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur (Arsikere Route)
There are a few interesting places along this route that you could make pit stops at.
- Begur Lake: You can spot over 15 varieties of birds in a matter of minutes here.
- Sri Chowdeshwari Temple in Dasarighatta: An ancient Hindu temple located near Tiptur, the idol here is installed here on an anthill.
- Manjarabad Fort in Donigal: At a height of 3240 feet, Manjarabad Fort has a unique star shape and is a good short trek.
Route 3 : The Tumkur Route
The third route perhaps is the longest and can be taken if traffic jams are anticipated on the other two popular routes. Driving through this round will take you around 6 hours to reach Chikmagalur and you will have to cover a distance of about 340 kilometers.
Route Map: Bangalore > Tumkur > Sira > Hiriyur > Ajjampur > Kadur > Chikmagalur
Popular things to do on a Road Trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur (Tumkur Route)
There are a few interesting places along this route that you could make pit stops at.
- Devarayanadurga State Forest in Tumkur: For wildlife and nature lovers.
2. Siddara Betta: A hotspot for cave exploration and trekking and a great place for nature lovers because of the many species of migratory birds that can be spotted here.
3. Chitradurga Fort in Chitradurga: Bit of a detour, but Chitradurga Fort is interesting, with four secret entrances, 35 special entry points and 38 small doors.
4. Z-Point near Chikmagalur: An interesting, three-kilometre-long trail for avid trekkers. - Madagadakere Lake in Ayyanakere: It is a gorgeous, calm and serene lake where the travellers can go boating and watch the sunset from its banks.
Also Read : Road Trip from Bangalore to goa
Safety Measures
The road from Bangalore to Chikmagalur is not very challenging, particularly if you have been driving for long. That said, it is a long uphill drive. Therefore, you should ensure that you have slept well, have had your car checked and even verified that there is no ongoing expansion or repair work on the route you have chosen.
These three routes make for a great road trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur. Pack some snacks, check traffic and get ready for an awesome drive. Do you have any questions about these routes? Let us know in the comments.
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