Monsoon in its full vigor from past 2 months along the western ghats region. The paths to coastal karnataka is damaged due to excessive landslides. Hence we chose shivamogga route since the mountains are stable.
After gorgeous views of jog falls we headed towards kundapura via bhatkal. From jog falls, bhatkal is about 85kms distant. The path has been numbered as state highway 50. We were skeptical to drive along this unknown road fearing treacherous paths marred by landslides and potholes. The caretaker in one of the restaurant in sagar cleared our apprehension by asserting clean & clear road without pot holes and believe me he was bang on target.
On the way after visiting linganamakki with only distant views, our journey towards bhatkal resumed. Snaking through the twists and turns of rainforest highway, we enjoyed the drive along the thick forests. The region was sparse with humans/vehicles, however dense with trees.
All along the path roads are wider and pot hole free. The path consists of innumerable curves or only curves. More than that it has thick cover of pristine rainforest for about 30kms out of which a patch has been concreted. The roads in middle of forest is quite narrow but at safe distance from ground. Since the region belongs to sharavathi valley conservation the roads would not have widened to preserve the treasure of western ghats. Owing to feeble traffic the road does not need much maintenance. We could hardly notice traffic in this area. Few ksrtc buses originating from bhatkal could be seen here. There were couple of landslides enroute but not major as to block road. This may be attributed to the tall & thick rainforest tress underpinning the hills with giant roots. Small villages located all along route but hardly any shops. Hence carry food and get your vehicle checked and fueled before driving along this highway.
For nature lovers, this place is heaven especially the thick rainforests covering the mid stretch. We spotted a hornbill, a langur and green snake :-). Since monsoon has taken break, we only encountered intermittent rains. However, streams were flowing with full vigor. Along the thick rainforest stretch, you spot two waterfalls which is worth beholding for hours. Both were pounding with exuberance. The second one had enough energy to sprinkle water onto road and generate wind. I had tough time shooting this might. Apart from these two roadside waterfalls, you can also visit bheemeshwara temple (2km interior) to main highway and dabbe falls (9km interior to main highway). I was eager to visit both of these but dearth of time thwarted our plans. Nevertheless these spots are earmarked for further visit (not sure when). We had plans to reach kundapura before dusk breaks out mainly due to following reasons.
Consequently, we dropped our plan to visit aforementioned interior beauties. With rains unabated, I was confident that Dabbe falls would be at its peak charm. Lack of time postponed our plans.
Indication of humid weather means ghat descent was over and coast has arrived. It was further confirmed at the concluding gate of sanctuary. The confidence doubled when the widened road re surfaced and horizon turned bright. Even plains nearby bhatkal portrayed finest views to behold those lush green rainforests with thick monsoon clouds smashing & kissing the pinnacle. It is an enticing moment to watch the low clouds resting over fjords.
The stretch in summary. Based on my estimation.
Jog falls to Bhatkal - 85kms
The first 35odd kms consists of hilly regions with sparse human presence. The roads are wider even for two minibus to simultaneously pass. Too many curves but manageable.
The next 30kms is thick rainforest with absolutely no visibility to sky. Chances of heavy rains are high. The roads are narrow even for two cars pass by. The stretch has steep curves as well. The stretch is scenic with 2 waterfalls beside road.
The last stretch of 20kms is coastal road with intermittent curves and straight path. The sight of western ghats from here is magnificent to behold especially during evening hours.
Road condition is fantastic as of now with zero potholes.
Things to remember
Keep your vehicle in healthy condition and sufficiently fueled before your journey along this route. There are absolutely no repair shops or fuel stations all along stretch.
Carry ample food again owing to lack of shops
Mobile network is unavailable throughout.
If you have kids carry scarfs and warm clothes to cover their body especially ears.
Carry polyethene bags if you prone to vomiting along the ghats (due to never ending curves)
Visit during break monsoon season to avoid hassles like flooding rains landslides etc..
Last but not least do no trash the rainforest. Carry waste along with you and dump it in designated trash locations. Also enjoy the waterfalls silently. Do not scream in this paradise which may disturb the peace of rainforest residents ! Do not embitter the idyllic nature with trash and clamor. Let the euphony of nature prevail.
Eventually true nature lovers hope to (Not my lines.)
Leave only footprints
Take only pictures
Video time
We hardly had time to capture pictures but it is worth stopping every meter. We spent 90 mins in this 85km stretch but it is more worth than 90mins. Here are two waterfall videos for you to enjoy.
Our journey of 550kms from Bangalore to Kundapura concluded around dusk. We took long route via Chitradurga-Shivamogga-Jog-Bhatkal and was worth. I never felt tiredness due to omnipresence of natural beauty from Chitradurga to Kundapura. We reached our place around dusk time just before night could break out with warm greetings from heavy monsoon shower.
This region vis-a-vis to Coorg receives heavy rains but still with lesser disasters. This is attributed to the tall beauties which strengthen the hills. Despite the persistent warnings by nature, politicians are deliberately oblivion to monsoon tragedies due to their greed. Even if authorities try to obviate such disasters, it is not possible to overpower nature. Because the war is always one sided and nature's victory is imminent!
After gorgeous views of jog falls we headed towards kundapura via bhatkal. From jog falls, bhatkal is about 85kms distant. The path has been numbered as state highway 50. We were skeptical to drive along this unknown road fearing treacherous paths marred by landslides and potholes. The caretaker in one of the restaurant in sagar cleared our apprehension by asserting clean & clear road without pot holes and believe me he was bang on target.
On the way after visiting linganamakki with only distant views, our journey towards bhatkal resumed. Snaking through the twists and turns of rainforest highway, we enjoyed the drive along the thick forests. The region was sparse with humans/vehicles, however dense with trees.
All along the path roads are wider and pot hole free. The path consists of innumerable curves or only curves. More than that it has thick cover of pristine rainforest for about 30kms out of which a patch has been concreted. The roads in middle of forest is quite narrow but at safe distance from ground. Since the region belongs to sharavathi valley conservation the roads would not have widened to preserve the treasure of western ghats. Owing to feeble traffic the road does not need much maintenance. We could hardly notice traffic in this area. Few ksrtc buses originating from bhatkal could be seen here. There were couple of landslides enroute but not major as to block road. This may be attributed to the tall & thick rainforest tress underpinning the hills with giant roots. Small villages located all along route but hardly any shops. Hence carry food and get your vehicle checked and fueled before driving along this highway.
For nature lovers, this place is heaven especially the thick rainforests covering the mid stretch. We spotted a hornbill, a langur and green snake :-). Since monsoon has taken break, we only encountered intermittent rains. However, streams were flowing with full vigor. Along the thick rainforest stretch, you spot two waterfalls which is worth beholding for hours. Both were pounding with exuberance. The second one had enough energy to sprinkle water onto road and generate wind. I had tough time shooting this might. Apart from these two roadside waterfalls, you can also visit bheemeshwara temple (2km interior) to main highway and dabbe falls (9km interior to main highway). I was eager to visit both of these but dearth of time thwarted our plans. Nevertheless these spots are earmarked for further visit (not sure when). We had plans to reach kundapura before dusk breaks out mainly due to following reasons.
- This was the first drive in this path and with toddlers. Hence no question of staying till dark. Also sparse human presence fueled additional fear on us.
- The incomplete road work between kundapur-bhatkal stretch. This untidy haphazard stretch is under the 4 lane work and unscientifically managed. The unsafe boards, the ad-hoc humps, the truck traffic, the tortured roads and the rains would make it difficult to drive during dark hours.
Consequently, we dropped our plan to visit aforementioned interior beauties. With rains unabated, I was confident that Dabbe falls would be at its peak charm. Lack of time postponed our plans.
Indication of humid weather means ghat descent was over and coast has arrived. It was further confirmed at the concluding gate of sanctuary. The confidence doubled when the widened road re surfaced and horizon turned bright. Even plains nearby bhatkal portrayed finest views to behold those lush green rainforests with thick monsoon clouds smashing & kissing the pinnacle. It is an enticing moment to watch the low clouds resting over fjords.
The stretch in summary. Based on my estimation.
Jog falls to Bhatkal - 85kms
The first 35odd kms consists of hilly regions with sparse human presence. The roads are wider even for two minibus to simultaneously pass. Too many curves but manageable.
The next 30kms is thick rainforest with absolutely no visibility to sky. Chances of heavy rains are high. The roads are narrow even for two cars pass by. The stretch has steep curves as well. The stretch is scenic with 2 waterfalls beside road.
The last stretch of 20kms is coastal road with intermittent curves and straight path. The sight of western ghats from here is magnificent to behold especially during evening hours.
Road condition is fantastic as of now with zero potholes.
Things to remember
Keep your vehicle in healthy condition and sufficiently fueled before your journey along this route. There are absolutely no repair shops or fuel stations all along stretch.
Carry ample food again owing to lack of shops
Mobile network is unavailable throughout.
If you have kids carry scarfs and warm clothes to cover their body especially ears.
Carry polyethene bags if you prone to vomiting along the ghats (due to never ending curves)
Visit during break monsoon season to avoid hassles like flooding rains landslides etc..
Last but not least do no trash the rainforest. Carry waste along with you and dump it in designated trash locations. Also enjoy the waterfalls silently. Do not scream in this paradise which may disturb the peace of rainforest residents ! Do not embitter the idyllic nature with trash and clamor. Let the euphony of nature prevail.
Eventually true nature lovers hope to (Not my lines.)
Leave only footprints
Take only pictures
Video time
We hardly had time to capture pictures but it is worth stopping every meter. We spent 90 mins in this 85km stretch but it is more worth than 90mins. Here are two waterfall videos for you to enjoy.
Our journey of 550kms from Bangalore to Kundapura concluded around dusk. We took long route via Chitradurga-Shivamogga-Jog-Bhatkal and was worth. I never felt tiredness due to omnipresence of natural beauty from Chitradurga to Kundapura. We reached our place around dusk time just before night could break out with warm greetings from heavy monsoon shower.
This region vis-a-vis to Coorg receives heavy rains but still with lesser disasters. This is attributed to the tall beauties which strengthen the hills. Despite the persistent warnings by nature, politicians are deliberately oblivion to monsoon tragedies due to their greed. Even if authorities try to obviate such disasters, it is not possible to overpower nature. Because the war is always one sided and nature's victory is imminent!
Can you pin the locations that are good for a stop-over and sight seeing on this route?
ReplyDeleteSometimes, what you are looking for is exactly what you get!
ReplyDeleteThank you sooo much!
I was planning to do this trip next week, and this is a of great help!