Majestic mountains, lush greenery and smoky clouds are what Ooty is all about. Planning a road trip from Bangalore to Ooty promises you one of the best road trips of your life. This 281 km road journey is going to create memories for a lifetime. Nature reserves, parks, and the entire road throughout this route are amazingly scenic. Leaving behind the busy city life of Bangalore, as you embark on your journey to Ooty you get endless opportunities to explore accompanied by serenity. Be it nature lovers or adventure freaks, this road trip is going to be a perfect retreat.
Best Time To Plan Your Road Trip From Bangalore To Ooty
The best part of a road trip from Bangalore to Ooty has to be the picturesque view of the Western and Eastern ghats, cloud-touching hill trails and lush greenery. Considering the suitable weather conditions, you can plan your road trip as per your availability and choice.
October To June (Peak season)
For an exciting and refreshing mountain experience, embark on a journey to Ooty from October to June. Though Ooty is known to be a captivating year-round tourist spot, these months are the most favourable for fun activities, family trips and a lot of adventure!
October To February (Winter season)
The winter months in Ooty feel fresh, brisk and chilly. The days are blissful, and the warmth of sunlight makes it easy to traverse through the hills, plains and valleys. The evenings are windy while nights feel frosty and look as beautiful as frost fairies. At night, the temperature falls to freezing degrees. It can be the ideal season to visit Ooty only for people with a higher tolerance towards the cold.
March To May (Summer season)
During the summer, Ooty has a pleasant climate, and the average temperature drifts within a normal range. The days are very warm, even hot at times, but the nights feel cold. As a whole, this hill station is bestowed with a pleasant climate all year round. For some people, this might be the best time to visit Ooty. There are several spots for one to bask in the summer glint such as Pine Forest, Mukurthi National Parks, Ketti Valley, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Toda Huts, Pykara River and Rose Garden.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Ooty In 2 Days
Route For Road Trip from Bangalore to Ooty
If you’re wondering how to go from Bangalore to Ooty then the most commonly taken route for a Bangalore to Ooty trip by far is the Mysore-Masinagudi route. The distance covered via this route is nearly 280 Km and it takes 7 hours to cover the distance without any stopover. Here’s a breakdown of the journey:
Bangalore To Mysore
Mysore is at a distance of 150 km from Bangalore and it takes almost 3 hours to reach. You can take the Bangalore-Mysore highway to avoid traffic. There are many eateries and places to relax or take a short stopover.
Mysore To Nanjangud
Nanjangud or Nanjangudu is a small city situated at a distance of around 13 km from Mysore along the banks of the Kapila River. You need to take a small diversion to reach this place. This little attractive town is famous for its religious values and the main point of attraction here is Srikanteshwara Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva. For those who aren’t aware, this place is often called Dakshina Kashi which means Kashi of the South.
Najangud To Bandipur
You need to drive for another hour (nearly 50 km) to reach Bandipur via Gundlupe. You can enjoy the scenic view of the national park or spot wildlife too. From 9 PM to 6 AM, traffic is banned in Bandipur so try to cross this place before 9 PM if you’re not planning to stay here for the night.
Bandipur To Mudumalai
Right where the Bandipur National Park ends, you’ll enter Tamil Nadu and you need to drive through another national park, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Put simply, you’ll just drive out of a national park and enter into another. That’s undoubtedly amazing yet can be a bit confusing for some people. From here, there are two routes for Ooty namely the Masinagudi and Gudalur route. The former route is known to be shorter.
Masinagudi To Ooty
From Masinagudi, it takes just an hour to reach Ooty as it is approximately 30 km away via the MDR 700. You’ll see that both the Masinagudi and Gudalur routes merge at a spot almost 6 km before reaching Ooty.
Places You Must Visit On A Road Trip from Bangalore to Ooty
There are many places to discover on your Bangalore to Ooty trip by car. Be it dams to waterfalls or temples to scenic spots, there’s so much you can add to your itinerary.
1. Krishnagiri Dam
One of the most important places to visit in Krishnagiri is the Krishnagiri Reservoir Dam popularly called the KRP Dam too. This dam not only fulfils the irrigational requirements of the people residing in the nearby villages, but with time it has also become one of the remarkable places of attraction in Krishnagiri. Many people come here for picnics too. This place is a must-visit when you travel from Bangalore to Ooty by car.
Suggested Read: Ooty Resorts
2. Dolphin’s Nose Coonoor
Located at a distance of around 10 km from Coonoor, Dolphin’s Nose is another must-visit place when you’re in Coonoor. The reason behind the extreme popularity of this place is that it provides a bird’s eye view of the majestic Nilgiri Hills.
3. Shoolagiri
Image Source: Pradeep.ela for wikimedia commons
Once you’re here at the foothills of the Shoolagiri mountains, you’ll notice that the appearance of the hills is quite similar to the trident or shoola of Lord Shiva. You may also pay a visit to the Varadaraja Perumal temple which was constructed in the Vijayanagar period.
Suggested Read: Ooty Guest Houses
4. Hogenakkal Falls
To visit this place, you’ll have to take a small deviation but once you’re there, you’ll find it to be worth all the travel. This waterfall is mostly known as the Niagara of India. Encircled by endless greenery and continual streams, the route that goes to the waterfall presents amazing scenic views. You can also go for some other activities like boat riding or indulgence in therapeutic baths.
5. Mettur Dam
Mettur Dam is one of the most popular dams in India. There are grass-covered mountains and eye-catching landscapes surrounding the dam which makes it even more famous amongst the tourists. The most unique fact about this dam is its layout and design.
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6. Kottai Kovil
Kottai Kovil is a well-known place for sightseeing and worship in Dharmapuri. It is also known as the Mallikarjuneswara Temple. The temple is built on the northern side of the city. Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple is famous for its distinguished architects, eye-catching paintings beautifying the walls and admirable architecture and is about 1300 years old. The temple also has another unique architectural structure called the “hanging pillar” which is the main highlight of this place.
Tips For A Safe And Sound Ooty Road Trip From Bangalore
On your Ooty road trip from Bangalore, you must follow the necessary safety tips to ensure that your trip is successful at the end of the journey. Here are some basic yet important tips to help you execute your trip better:
Proper Planning
It is very important to plan your trip. The main benefit of a road trip is the flexibility it offers. Hence, plan everything prior including the routes, stopovers, accommodation and sightseeing spots.
Check The Road Condition
Depending upon your travel time, you must check the condition of the roads. Check the weather forecasts particularly if you travel in the monsoon season. The roads may become slippery creating higher chances of accidents.
Pack The Essentials
Make sure to keep all the necessities like food, water and other essential items in your car. Don’t forget to add a first-aid kit as it can be of great help during an emergency.
Safety Comes First
Be very vigilant and careful while driving as there are many hairpin bends along this route. Try to maintain a moderate speed so that you can control your car whenever needed.
Further Read: Hotels Near Ooty
Further Read: Hotels Near Ooty
A road trip from Bangalore to Ooty presents a charming experience of national parks and ancient architecture. While planning a road trip from Bangalore to Ooty, you must add places that offer relaxation, adventure as well as religious indulgence throughout the way. So, if you’re trip to Ooty you can consider taking a road trip
from Bangalore to Ooty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Road Trip From Bangalore To Ooty
How much is the toll charge from Bangalore to Ooty?
The toll charges from Bangalore to Ooty are Rs 660/- (one-way).
What are the timing details for the Bangalore to Ooty road trip at night?
The Bangalore to Ooty route passes through the Bandipur National Park, which remains closed from 9 PM to 6 AM. If you’re planning to travel during the night, make sure that you cross Bandipur before 9 PM. Other than this, it is completely safe to travel at night.
Are there any offbeat places in the Kanakapura-Kollegal route?
The Kanakapura-Kollegal route has quite a few sightseeing places like Shivanasamudra, Chunchi Falls and Mekedatu.
Are there any recommended places to stop in between Bangalore and Ooty?
You can stop at main cities while travelling from Bangalore to Ooty such as Gundlupete, Kurahatti, Mysore and Nanjagud.
Are there any hairpin bends en route from Bangalore to Ooty?
Even in the shortest route, there are nearly 36 hairpin bends while travelling from Bangalore to Ooty and it is not recommended for new drivers.
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