I have these piles and piles of photographs lying around from my heydays of trekking in the Western Ghats. I used to share them on Facebook but I deleted my old account. I haven’t documented them anywhere and I though I should do something about it. Initially I planned to write a post for each trek but it was going to take forever. I resorted to one mega photo essay.
Karnataka
Revisiting Kodachadri trek
Kodachadri mountain peak, one of many in Western Ghats, attracts trekkers and pilgrims alike.Near The approach is from Kollur town in Shimoga, some 400 odd km from Bangalore.
Revisiting Sakleshpur trek
Sakleshpur railway is a part of the railway line that connects Mangalore to Bangalore in South India. The stretch from Sakleshpur to Kukke Subrahmanya was closed for years for conversion to broad gauge. During which it became a trekkers paradise rightly called Green Route. It passes through thick green forests, numerous streams, waterfalls, some 50 tunnels and countless bridges.
To BR Hills, Kotagiri and Manjoor
After a trip to Goa before last Christmas, I haven’t been on the road. A trip, any trip to somewhere was really due.
This was a dream on the map. The plan: Take the Bangalore-Kanakpura-Malavalli-Kollegal-Sathyamangalam route to Kotagiri and swing by BR Hills on the way. On the second day, drive to Ooty, Manjoor and back to Ooty. The return trip from Manjoor will show us Avanlanche Lake from a distance. From Ooty, drive straight back to Bangalore.
This trip took us through roads like this…
.. and showed us views like this.
No trip to Yelagiri
This post is about the much awaited trip to Yelagiri that did not happen. The route was carefully planned. Hotel booked. Lunch will be at Ambur at the famous Star Briyani. The onward journey will run parallel to Old Madras Road. Return journey will involve a ride through Javadhu hills, swing by the Observatory if possible, turn left into Vellore and connect Old Madras Road after Chittoor. Playlist carefully selected.
But it did not happen.
Stay
I booked Kannas Guest House, Athanavoor Main Road through Stayzilla. At 1600 for 2 occupants, with a resort like campus, backed by a comment at TripAdvisor, it seemed like a good deal.
Route – Onward https://goo.gl/maps/nR7NURjTMtq
Route – Return https://goo.gl/maps/GWRWZW2dWeS2
I am sharing the route I planned to take should someone find it useful. The idea of this route is not meant to be the shortest route but to be exploratory and fun.
