13 May 2011

Bababudan Giri to Kemmangundi

by | posted in: Asia, India, Karnataka | 14
23rd April 2011
I had heard that the “shortcut road” connecting the two hill stations of Karnataka was very scenic. My two attempts to drive on this road were unsuccessful. I had tried to start from Kemmangundi but horrible roads made me return back on both occasions. I even gave a thought of walking on that road but like many other plans it never materialized.

 

 

Recently, my friend Arjun showed me a news clip that mentioned about the road being repaired between Bababudan Giri and Kemmangundi. I quickly planned a trip this summer as I was skeptical about the quality of newly laid roads after monsoon. This time I decided to start from Bababudan Giri. As expected, accommodation at Kemmangundi was not available thus forcing me to make it a day trip.

 

 

As indicated in the news clip, the road was extremely smooth from Bababudan Giri. The winding roads through the coffee estates was paradise for the people in the vehicle. But all good things must end at some point and suddenly the tar road vanished. The bumpy ride started and the next 16 km to Kemmangundi promised to be torturous. Few vehicles from the opposite side convinced that the road was still “drivable”.

 

 

After the roads turned bad, we entered into Bhadra wildlife sanctuary area. That might be the reason for bad roads!! Getting permission to repair or construct roads inside wildlife sanctuary is difficult these days.

 

 

The scenery changed dramatically after the entry into the National forest. The road passed through the shoal grasslands with deep valleys and lofty hills on the side of the road. The hills were brown as it was summer. There was absolutely no human habitation till Kemmangundi. As the roads winds through the grasslands, one can see a vehicle moving on shoulder of some hill from a far distance. Though it was a long weekend, number of vehicles was quite less ensuring peaceful drive.

 

 

For me, this was one of the best scenic drives in Karnataka. The closest would be the drive through Kudremukh National forest but that being a National highway does not offer the solitude and freshness of BababudanGiri – Kemmangundi stretch.

 

 

The road become extremely bad as Kemmangundi neared. Kemmangundi was filled with people and vehicles. First time I visited Kemmangundi was 20 years ago with my parents. There was hardly couple of other tourist families at that time. With time, lot of things has changed and so is the crowd. Facilities still remain the same!!

 

 

Very soon, we were back on the scenic stretch of Kemmangundi – Babbudan Giri. At a view point, I parked the car to the side and took out my camera while my Wife and daughter started climbing a small hill.

 

14 Responses

  1. Srikanth Manjunath
    | Reply

    Nice post Arvind..The brown browny mountain mounds are always treat to watch just like the green green blanket clad mounds..

    Planing for Mullayyana giri, Kemmannu Gundi, Bababudan giri trip next month..this is an eye opener..and a handy details..

    Super blog, and nice write up, breathtaking photoshots..

  7. Naveen
    | Reply

    Sakkath Aravind…everytime I open ur blog from ur chat status…thrz an update 🙂 gr8 shots as usual 🙂

  9. Aravind GJ
    | Reply

    Srikanth,
    Thanks. Good to know that the information helps you.

    Niranjan, Arjun,
    But I feel that the bad road also results in less interference from Human Beings. Anyway, it is inside National park. I am OK with bad roads inside forest!!

    Sandeep KB,
    Thanks.

    Sandeep,
    Thanks. I also mark all your treks in my "todo" list. I only see it growing!!

    Naveen,
    Thanks for your comments.

    Rajesh,
    Roads with open grasslands are rare in Karnataka.

  11. Poorna and Brinda
    | Reply

    Hi Aravind,

    Brilliant pictues of the drive! How is the road condition? we are going to Chikkamaglur this weekend and thought of doing this drive.

    Cheers,
    Poorna

  13. Kartik
    | Reply

    Lovely post with superb photographs. Reminds me of the time in 1997 when a few friends and I walked most of the way from Kemmangundi to Bababudan Giri (until the final climb to the top of Bababudan Giri). The road was just as bad then as you saw it now. We saw so many dead snakes on the road, all run over by buses. There were hardly any buses on the road so we were wondering how those few managed to kill so many snakes.

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