There are many great road trip destinations in Karnataka, but Coorg is one of the best. Located in the South Indian state of Karnataka, Coorg is a beautiful region known for its lush green landscapes and stunning mountain views. You can take a number of different routes from Bangalore to Coorg. You’re sure to enjoy the trip no matter which route you take. So pack your bags and get ready for a road trip to Coorg.
I have visited Coorg countless times over the past 15 years. I have explored various scenic routes and compiled them here based on my experiences. It is imperative that you know where exactly you want to go in Coorg before choosing which road to take between Bangalore and Coorg. Coorg is vast and borders 3 districts of Karnataka. There are several ways you can enter Coorg. You also need to consider how much time you have and what kind of scenery you prefer. Let us discuss the different routes in more detail:
Route 1: Bangalore – Mysore – Hunsur – Kushalnagar – Madikeri (via NH275)
Distance: 250 km
Duration: approx. 6 hours
This is the optimum route to reach Madikeri, the major city in Coorg. This is the least scenic route and you are likely to face traffic along the busy Bangalore – Mysore corridor.
This route is ideal if you plan to visit most of the tourist attractions around Madikeri.
Route 2: Bangalore – Nelamangala – Channarayapatna – Kushalnagar – Madikeri (via NH275)
Distance: 265 km
Duration: approx. 6 hours
This is an alternate to Route # 1 in case you do not want to via Mysore. The route between Channarayapatna and Kushalnagar is scenic and passes through a lush green landscape.
>> Route on Map
Route 3: Bangalore – Chikmagalur – Hebri – Virajpet – Madikeri (via NH206)
Distance: 270 km
Duration: approx. 6 hours
To avoid traffic, consider taking the route via SH17. It takes you through hilly terrain and dense forest that offers picturesque views across the landscape.
>> Route on Map
Route 4: Bangalore – Mysore – Hunsur – Nagarhole National Park – Kutta (via NH275)
Distance: 230 km
Duration: approx. 6 hours
This is the best route if you plan to go south of Coorg towards Irpu Falls. It passes through Nagarhole National Park where you are likely to have multiple encounters with wildlife including elephants, deer, tigers, leopards, etc.
>> Route on Map
Route 5: Bangalore – Nelamangala – Channarayapatna – Somwarpet (via NH75)
Distance: 235 km
Duration: approx. 5 hours
This is the best route if you plan to go north of Coorg to explore some of the hidden gems of Coorg like Mallalli Falls, Kote Betta, Belur Golf Club, Bisle Ghat, etc. The route between Channarayapatna and Somwarpet is scenic and passes through a lush green landscape and coffee estates.
>> Route on Map
Route 6: Bangalore – Nelamangala – Hassan – Sakleshpur – Somwarpet (via NH75)
Distance: 280 km
Duration: approx. 7 hours
This is an alternate to Route # 5 to reach Somwarpet. It is a tad longer but the drive between Sakleshpur and Somarpet is breathtaking. This entire route passes through the hilly terrain of Western Ghats.
>> Route on Map
The routes 4, 5 and 6 are ideal if you are looking for offbeat and adventurous activities in remote parts of Coorg. Klook is a great website for discovering and booking such experiences. It’s one of my favorites as well.
Route 7: Bangalore – Mysore – Hunsur – Virajpet – Ammathi (via NH275)
Distance: 250 km
Duration: approx. 6 hours
This is the ideal route if you want to explore the Coffee Cup of India. Ammathi is one of the most scenic regions in Coorg surrounded by gigantic coffee estates.
>> Route on Map
Conclusion
There are many different routes you can take when traveling from Bangalore to Coorg, but the most popular is the NH48. This route is shorter but less scenic, while the SH17 offers more views of the countryside. If you have time, you can also take a few other routes mentioned above that will give you a chance to see more of this beautiful area. No matter which route you choose, make sure to enjoy the journey. Coorg is definitely worth the road trip!
I would love to hear about your road trip from Bangalore to Coorg. Please share a scenic route that I haven’t mentioned here.
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i have planned a car trip from Banglore to Waynaad via Coorg. what will be yhe ideal car route?
Both Coorg and Wayanad are pretty big, they are districts and not the cities. I can further help you if you tell me where exactly in Coorg and Wayanad you plan to travel.
Hi Rahul,
thnx for your blog.. its really impressive. Actually I am planning to travel from Bangalore to Madikeri. Need to know hich route can we follow which will be safe and beautiful..
With Regards,
Anuj
Hi Rahuldev,
This article was really useful and was very helpful in optimising the travel to Coorg. Especially the route-5 was very beautiful. I have decided to go through Route 5 at least once in a quarter. I believe the nature is so mesmerising that can rejuvenate our mind.
Thanks a lot.
Thanks Ravanan, appreciate your comment.
Route 5 is also a favorite of mine especially during the rainy season.
Can we go from bangalore to chikmaglur & coorg & back to bangalore?
Yes, you can.
Hi Rahuladev, seems route 2 maps is broken between Stop A and B ( B pointing to opp direction). Could you fix it and share it again. I am planning a trip using your navigation option. Thx puneet
Thank you Puneet for bringing this to myr attention. The map is fixed and now you should be able to plan your trip. Thank you once again for stopping by and reading my blog.
Thanks Rahal, any recommended route from coorg to Ooty?
It depends on where in Coorg you are returning from. Most likely you will have to come back to Mysore and then proceed for Ooty, better to check with google maps.
I followed this particular blog for my first road trip to Coorg (18th – 23rd Dec 2022) and it was the best decision I made. Your details of each route ensured that I could select what i want to visit and how I can decide upon the route to be taken, that helped me to cover all points en-route as well as around Coorg. Thanks for details.
Thank you Sunil for your comment. I am glad you found this blog useful in your travel planning to Coorg. Hope you had a wonderful trip to Coorg.
Hello..I am traveling to Coorg from Mumbai on 24th October. Whilst I will land at Mangalore, as I read a lot about the Coorg to Bangalore drive, I have booked my return journey from Bangalore. The flight from Bangalore is at 8:30 PM and hence I have the whole day on 29th to drive (cab) from Coorg to Bangalore airport. Which route would you suggest to capture the best scenic beauty? As I have the whole day, couple of kilometres extra wouldnt be an issue. Thanks in advance for your help
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. The most scenic route is through Holenarasipura and Chanarayapatna. You can directly reach airport after crossing Nelmangala and then taking the NICE road. Google maps will help you further. Hope this helps.
Thanks very much for the prompt revert
Is the route suggested by you better than the Nagarhole National Park route?
Thanks for the prompt response
Is the route suggested by you better than the Nagarhole National park route? Do let me know. Thanks
Both the routes have its own beauty. Nagarhole route will bring you closer to the wildlife if you are lucky on that day but the stretch is not that big enough. Afterwards you will pass through Mysore. This route works best if you are returning from south Coorg otherwise it will be too long.
Thanks very much for your response.
How is the road condition from Channarayapatna >> Somwarpet>>> Madikeri now after the SW monsoon rains (2022) ? Can I come in a car in this route from Bangalore? I plan to travel to Madikeri from Bangalore during Diwali 2022 timeframe.
Thanks for your comment.
Recently, a friend traveled on this route and he says it is in good condition with some bad patches due to the recent rain. It is quite scenic as well. Avoid driving after dark if possible.
Thanks a lot for the response.
very nice post . very well written. love to many more post like this
Thank you for stopping by.
nice post. very impressive .I never found any interesting article like yours.
Thank you for stopping by and reading.
Hi, everything is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s really fine, keep up writing.
Thank you for stopping by and reading.