Where do you go from a city that is blessed with pleasant weather all year round? Well, these five epic road trips from Bengaluru are ideal choices for a weekend getaway post the lockdown. By Kumar Shree
Most scenic road trips from Bangalore
Bengaluru to Hampi
The ruins of the Vijayanagar kingdom, the Forgotten Kingdom, as it is otherwise known, has evolved into a modern-day UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hampi is home to numerous old temples and monuments that make it an important religious site. Its other-worldly terrain marked by heaps of giant boulders, palm groves, banana plantations, and paddy fields makes Hampi a sight to behold. Make sure to set some time to watch the sunset.
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Duration of the trip: It takes somewhere around seven hours to cover the 350 km distance.
Best time: November to February is ideal.
Where to stay: Heritage Resort Hampi and Kishkinda Heritage Resort are good options.
Highway restaurants: NH48 has a good number of roadside restaurants and dhabas; you can choose to grab a quick bite at any of these. NH50 and SH have less of these, so it is advised to keep some snacks handy.
Things to keep in mind: Take the route that takes you through Bellary and Hiriyur for a scenic experience.
Bengaluru to Sakleshpur
This enchanting hill station nestled in the verdant Hassan district of Karnataka is a pride of the Western Ghats. Sakleshpur is also a coffee-growing region, thanks to the pleasant weather all year round. A bevvy of trekking and adventure opportunities makes Sakleshpur a favourite road trip destination from Bengaluru.
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Duration of the trip: the stretch of 250 km takes about five hours to cover.
Best time: Sakleshpur enjoys good weather throughout the year.
Where to stay: Robin Woods Homestay and Whispering Woods Adventure Camp are great picks for staying in Sakleshpur.
Highway restaurants: Swathi Delicacy is one of the best restaurants on this route, and you can also ask for in-car service where the staff delivers food to your car.
Things to keep in mind: Sakleshpur has many trekking and adventure sports activities, make sure to pack accordingly.
Bengaluru to Ooty
A road trip from Bengaluru to the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty, is one of the most relaxing and pleasant drives. The 32 hairpin bends on the route add a touch of thrill to the trip. Drive at a leisurely pace as the route is dotted with many landmarks. And guess what! This is one of our favourite road trips from Bengaluru too.
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Duration of the trip: The distance of 266 km via the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and SH 66 takes anywhere between 5 to 6 hours.
Best time: October to June.
Where to stay: Accord Highland Hotel Ooty and Hotel Lakeview would be ideal choices.
Highway restaurants: Kamat in Channapatna and Gayatri Tiffin Room in Chamundipuram are great choices on this route.
Things to keep in mind: Mysuru, Nanjangud, Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai, and Masinagudi are some of the must-check places en route.
Bengaluru to Wayanad
Another gem in the Western Ghats, Wayanad makes for a great scenic road trip from Bengaluru. The roads on this route are some of the most picturesque ones in South India and they take you through mystical forests and waterfalls. It is one of those trips where the journey is more beautiful than the destination.
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Duration of the trip: The distance of about 265 km takes around five to six hours.
Best time: You can go on this trip any time of the year.
Where to stay: LakeRose Wayanad Resort and Planet Green Plantation Resort.
Highway restaurants: Local eateries near the forest reserve areas serve authentic fish delicacies. Holiday Hill Hotel & Suites is also a great choice for some classic dosa and kaapi.
Things to keep in mind: The road through the Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary is closed from 07:00 pm to 07:00 am, but is supremely scenic. Make sure to plan your journey accordingly so that you get to pass through this area during the daytime. Off-roading is not advised in this region. Do not miss out on a safari ride at the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bengaluru to Puducherry
What Goa was for the Portuguese, Pondicherry was for the French. The quaint colonial town still embraces the past through food, architecture, wine, and adventure. Its colonial-era buildings, palm-fringed beaches, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, backwaters, the city of Auroville, Promenade Beach, and the French War Memorial will surely transport you to a bygone era. A road trip from Bengaluru to Pondicherry is a must on every traveller’s bucket list.
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Duration of the trip: The 350 km drive takes about six to seven hours.
Best time: October to March
Where to stay: Le Royal Park and Palais de Mahe offer comfortable stays.
Where to stop and eat: There are plenty of eateries on the route, but we suggest settling for the local cuisine.
Things to keep in mind: The road from Krishnagiri to Chengam is in poor shape, use the Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram route, which is about 100 km longer, but makes for a swift drive.
If you have embarked on these magical road trips from Bengaluru already, do share the pictures with us on social media and use the hashtag #TnlRoadTrips.
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