Tick these Epic Road Trips from Bengaluru Off Your Bucket List!

One of the best ways of experiencing the real beauty of the outdoor experience is by taking a road trip! Here are some awesome destinations near Bengaluru that you can take a road trip to:

1. Sangam

If you love photography then a road trip to Sangama from Bengaluru has to be on your list of things to do! As you get off the highway, you begin a 30-kilometre stretch to reach Kanakapura set amidst the lush green coconut trees. Don’t forget to try the mouth-watering fresh coconut water sold along the stretch. Adventure enthusiasts will enjoy the large boulders along the way, perfect for rock climbing! Enjoy driving on the narrow, winding and curvy roads after which you will reach the confluence of two rivers- Akravarthi and Kaveri. This is a perfect weekend getaway!

• Approximate distance: 96 km
• Approximate driving time: 2.5 hours
• Pit stops: As you need to leave early to reach Sangam, don’t forget to stop at Kamat Lokaruchi to relish some delicious breakfast. Take another halt at Kanakapura where you can enjoy sugarcane juice and breath-taking lush green views.

2. Sakleshpur

 

The beautiful blend of lush greenery and coffee plantations, make Sakleshpur an unforgettable experience hence it is an ideal road trip and weekend getaway from Bengaluru! As you take the Nelamangala exit, you will find yourself driving on one of Bengaluru’s finest roads where you can hit the cruise control setting of your car to enjoy a relaxing drive. As you enter Hassan from the bypass, the road becomes winding and offers picturesque views along with sounds of the wind gushing through the valleys.

• Approximate distance: 220 km
• Approximate driving time: 4 to 5 hours
• Pit stops: Near Channapatna, you can get clean toilets along with many petrol pumps. Finding food is not a problem on this route.

3. Agumbe

Enjoy a journey with an abundance of coffee plantations and cardamom estates with the aroma of coffee drifting inside your car! The plush tropical landscape of the hills offers scenic views throughout the drive. Through the journey, the landscapes change from seaside to the Western Ghats, ideal for photographers who like to capture breath-taking views.

• Approximate distance: 350 km
• Approximate driving time: 7 to 8 hours
• Pit stops: There are numerous petrol pumps and dhabas on the way to enjoy delicious hot paranthas with white butter!

4. Wayanad

Wayanad is a picturesque plateau located in the foothills of the Western Ghats. Enjoy a smooth drive from Bengaluru to Wayanad, surrounded by green mountains and pit stops, which will make your journey so much more exciting! A number of different tribes inhabit the region of Wayanad and you can spot them along the way.

A road trip from Bengaluru to Wayanad is highly recommended as the terrain keeps changing every half an hour and serves as a treat to the eyes.

• Approximate distance: 270 km
• Approximate driving time: 7 hours
• Pit stops: About one hour after leaving the city roads, you will find a bowling venue at Grips, which is a perfect way to relax. A few miles ahead is one of Asia’s largest amusement parks Wonderla, perfect for children. At Gundlupet, take a right from the MysoreOoty Road and enter the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary where elephants crossing in herds is a stunning sight.

5. Pondicherry

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If you are a beach person, then Pondicherry is the faultless weekend escape from Bengaluru. On your journey, you will drive through the beautiful countryside, with clean water bodies swarming with flocks of birds. On your way, you can stop at Gingee Fort, which is a complex of structures across three hills.

Don’t forget to drive on East Coast Road or State Highway 49 to enjoy the fresh air from the beaches nearby.

• Approximate distance: 315 km
• Approximate driving time: 6.5 hours
• Pit stops: Stop at Hosur to visit the hilltop Chandira Choodeswarar Temple with amazing views. You can also stop at a McDonald’s on the Shoolagiri Highway for a scrumptious meal especially breakfast!

6. Hassan

A drive to Hassan will give you a quick glimpse of village life as you travel on one of Bengaluru’s best highways (NH 48). As you drive towards Bellur, there are several nurseries on the way with various plantations, stop and click snaps! On your way, visit Shravanbelagola, the most popular pilgrimage site for Jains, with one of the tallest monolithic statues. 

• Approximate distance: 185 km
• Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours
• Pit stops: For a lunch break, you can stop at Swathi Delicacy for north Indian food. On the way, there are various petrol pumps and shops open 24/7 so you can stock up snacks for the way.

7. Goa

The journey from Bengaluru to Goa is exciting and makes a road trip that no one should miss. Traveling via Hubli is the most common choice and offers a number of detours. If you’re travelling via Hubli, then stop at Chitradurga as it is known for its huge rocks and attractive valleys, making it an ideal place to relax after a long drive.

If you opt to travel via Karwar or Honnavar, Jog Falls is something you should definitely see. India’s second highest plunge waterfall, Jog Falls makes for a perfect detour to enjoy a stroll amidst the mist.

• Approximate distance: 600 km
• Approximate driving time: 12 to 15 hours
• Pit stops: Don’t forget to stop at Kamat Upachar in Dobaspet for a quick bite! As you continue, you’ll find a Café Coffee Day in Arasikere where you can use clean washrooms.

Read more: Best Luxury Hotels in Goa for a Great Family Holiday

8. Nandi Hills

For bikers, Bheemeshwari is the perfect destination! The 60-kilometre journey boasts of well-kept roads and multiple rest stops. Bikers can enjoy the curving hill roads and the rugged terrains that are fun to ride on. As you bike, the gradient of the slopes gets steeper, making the ride more challenging!

• Approximate distance: 60 km
• Approximate biking time: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Pit stops: It is a popular route so there are various tea stalls on the way along with a number of clean washrooms. You can stop at Kodigehalli to buy drinks for an energy boost between the rides.

9. Coorg

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Coffee plantations, fertile hills and beautiful views will greet you. The route from Bengaluru to Coorg is packed with interesting de-tours right after crossing the outer-ring road. On your way, you can stop at Shivanasamudra Falls, one of India’s largest segmented waterfalls. The scenic views and an enjoyable weather throughout the year make it perfect for a romantic stroll!

The Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is a great place to observe diverse species of birds and has the largest population of fresh water crocodiles in Karnataka!

• Approximate distance: 250 km
• Approximate driving time: 6 to 7 hours
• Pit stops: If you’re travelling with kids, stop at Wonderla, an amusement park with over fifty dry and water rides! After which, near Bidadi Town is the Innovative Film City with entertainment centres including Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum and Ripley’s Museum. For a quick highway treat, stop at Rasta Café in Ramanagaram or at Café Coffee Day in Maddur.

10. Coonoor

Known for its tea and spice plantations, grasslands and forest trails, Coonoor is the ideal destination for a road trip. Enjoy the curvy roads with various viewpoints offering panoramic vistas.. If you opt to travel via Bandipur,stop at  Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, a hill enveloped with fog throughout the year (perfect for a small trek).

Wildlife enthusiasts can explore Bandipur National Park to spot tigers!

• Approximate distance: 290 km
• Approximate driving time: 7.5 hours
• Pit stops:  For a scrumptious lunch, you can stop at Saravana Bhavan in Gudalur. On the way, you will find multiple tea stalls where you can enjoy hot tea along with Maggi! Being a popular route, there are various petrol pumps and clean washrooms along the way.

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