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| Trip Tips |
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Hunkal Woods is best in the monsoons though you have to be prepared to be feasted upon by leeches if you want to trek through the forests in rainy season. Tourists descend from October till March since they prefer the cool climes during the time. Pack in a pair of walking shoes, windcheater (irrespective of the time of the year that you visit) and if you are keen on birds, a bird watching book to explore the innumerable fauna on view.
The Route
There are four basic stages in the drive from Bangalore to Hunkal Woods.
The first is from Bangalore to Nelmangala, where you turn into NH4 towards Hassan and Mangalore. Its imperative that you take this turn before 8 A.M as this will give you very little traffic on an otherwise crowded highway. Any later and you’ll be irritated and stressed by the suburban traffic by the time you get to the turn- off. This would be a shame since the road form here to Hassan is a dream – rated one of India’s best Highways by Autocar- Oct ’03
This second stage of the journey is fast and smooth with exciting corners, minimal traffic and tantalizing tar, this road is sure to have enthusiastic drivers fighting to take the wheel.
The Third stage is from Hassan to Chkimagalur via Belur. We suggest you take a break in the earlier stage at the Kamat Facility a little after a town called Chennarayapatna. This restaurant that’ll come to your right is attached to a petrol pump with good wholesome south Indian fast food in clean surroundings. Also take a coffee or tea break at Hassan to let all the adrenalin buzz of driving the earlier route settle down. From here the road becomes narrower and with the occasional pedestrian, cyclist or cattle apart from abrupt and frequent drops in the road embankment. This stage is only the last 60 kms. The fabulous scenery however compensates for the pedantric intrusions with green fields and approaching mountains.
The Final stage is from Chikmagalur town towards Hunkal Woods on the Kemmanagundi Rd.. This road is recently renovated and the closest a main road could come to a go-karting track with curves and perfect quality throughout its 26 kms. Stock up on medicines, cool drinks or preferred snacks at the town before setting out on this road. Look up the map attached alongside for further details.
In all this is a five hour drive from Bangalore that most people would want to repeat again and again.
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