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Road trips are the best travel modes to connect with yourself, the surroundings, and the partner(s) you are travelling with. The best part is that you can curate your travel itinerary yourself and start driving to your destination. Road trips are an opportunity to revive your lost self, explore less traversed territories, and return as a changed person.
Are you a Bangalore resident planning a road trip? Keep reading this article to get a complete list of the best destinations for road trips from Bangalore.
Road trips are often popular for being super simple, affordable and personalised. It helps you experience the entire journey and not just the destination. If you are in Bangalore, you are in for a treat as we are all set to introduce the best road trips from Bangalore.
If you are planning a short road trip from Bangalore, consider these destinations within 100 km.
Ramangara can be the best location for a short road trip. Wildlife lovers prefer visiting the Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary, which is home to nine diverse forms of vulture species. There are some fancy resorts as well, perfect for some refreshment options. There is also a famous temple called Ranganathaswamy Temple featuring 108 idols of Vishnu.
Skandagiri is a historical sight and is also popular as Kalavara Durga. Tipu Sultan used this hill to fight a battle against the Britishers. Trekking up the mountains on a full moon night to reach the peak at dawn is a feeling inexpressible in words. Night trekking helps you enjoy the view of the sunrise from the peak.
A small and beautiful town near Bangalore, Nandi Hills is home to multiple monuments, shrines, and monuments. Its scenic beauty is mesmerising, and multiple activities ranging from camping, paragliding, cycling, etc., that you can enjoy at this spot. An early morning drive can be extremely rejuvenating. However, the roads are narrow and have sharp turns, so be a little careful while driving.
If you are planning to go on a short road trip from Bangalore, then Kolar can be an ideal choice of destination. It has a lot of popular attractions, such as Kolaramma Temple, Antharagange Caves, Someswara Temple, Avani, Markandeya Hill and so on. There are also multiple hotels on the way, so you can take some rest if you feel tired from travelling.
Mysore is a beautiful destination for a road trip due to its monuments and museums. One of the major highlights is Mysore Palace, famous for its splendid architecture and rich heritage. If you wish to know more about the existing traditions and cultures, a road trip can help you explore its other historic spots and temples. You can also enjoy a tonga ride or spend evenings at Brindavan Gardens.
Your desire to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city will take you to Avalabetta, a mesmerising tourist destination. This place is a must-visit for nature lovers. You can set out on early morning treks in Avalabetta, one of the smaller hills in the Deccan Plateau. Don't miss the nearby tourist attractions, such as the Beat Rock, Hilltop Pond, and Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.
If you are a nature lover and want to go out for a short tour, then Sangam can be one of the best road trips from Bangalore. Arkavati and Kaveri meet in Sangama. The waterfall has a greater force during monsoon when you can ride a Coracle boat. You can also visit some off-roads near Sangama. These are narrow hilly roads with lush green surroundings.
These locations will be perfect if you are planning a road trip within 100-200 km from Bangalore:
Adventure lovers can visit Kunti Betta to rappel and climb steep rocky hills. There are boulders which can make climbing quite challenging. The hill is located at a height of 2882 feet which is ideal for trekking. One can find plenty of temples at the base of the valley. Check out the other activities mentioned below.
Hogenakkal Falls, a dazzling waterfall in the Kaveri, is derived from the word ‘smoky rocks’ as once the river falls on the rocks, it resembles a beautiful view of smoke emanating from the rocks. Surrounded by hills, Hogenakkal Falls is worth the trip. You can also receive oil massages from the local people.
An ideal weekend getaway, Doddamakali is a great escape from fast and chaotic city life. It is popular for bird watching, allowing you to spot some rare species. Doddamakali is known to be home to more than 200 bird species. Tourists are attracted to the lush green forests around this place. It allows you to go on jungle safaris to view the wildlife.
If you have a deep connection to architecture, Lepakshi makes for a fantastic road trip from Bangalore. The Lepakshi temple stands out for its historical significance. There is much to explore here, from hanging pillars to cave chambers. To gather more details, you can hire a tour guide to explain the history.
Yelagiri is a small hill station with pleasant weather between the town of Jolarpettai and Vaniyambadi. It is popular for its nature park with aquariums, rose gardens, and artificial waterfalls. One of the most popular attractions here is the Yelagiri Summer Festival, showcasing boat houses, cultural programmes, dog shows, and flower shows.
Horsley hill is a place with amazing scenic beauty and hilly landscape. It features over 113 species of birds with an abundance of flora and fauna. There are multiple places to visit around Horsley Hills, starting from Talakona Waterfalls to Gangotri Lake. The weather remains pleasant almost throughout the year.
Also known as BR Hills, Biligiri Ranga Hills is located on the westernmost edge of the Eastern Ghats and is northwest of the Western Ghats. It supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna. One of the most conspicuous mammals in this region is the wild elephant. It is one of the ideal destinations for forest adventures. If you love wildlife, then BRT Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit for you.
Here are a few destinations you can consider for a road trip within 200-300 km from Bangalore:
Yercaud is also known as the 'Lake Forest'. It gets this name from Emerald Lake or Yercaud Lake. This beautiful natural water body's emerald-green colour makes it worth visiting. You can explore spices, coffee, and fruit orchards in Yercaud. It is also known as the ‘Jewel of South India’ because of its picturesque beauty and stunning vantage points.
If you are bored with your same daily routine, take a break and go for a 2-3 day road trip from Bangalore to Sakleshpur, a wonderful hill station where you trek and enjoy the natural beauty. It is a hidden paradise of the Western Ghats with a favourable climate. You can get affordable accommodations as well, which will not exceed your budget.
Bandipur National Park is a favourite tourist destination in Bangalore, which is also ideal for a road trip. You can indulge in birdwatching, which is the most common activity in this park. As it remains open daily, you can execute any spontaneous road trip plan here seamlessly. Bandipur houses a wide range of wildlife, including Chital, tigers and other animals. Hence jungle safari is popular among visitors.
It is also known as 'Young Daughter's Town' as it was given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada (Chief of Sakrepatna). Lush green trees in the Mullayanagiri ranges are one of the hot favourites of trekkers. Shankar Falls, Kadambi Falls, and Hanuman Gundi Waterfalls are some of the awe-inspiring waterfalls in Chikmagalur. 2 days are enough if you want to cover all sites around Chikmagalur.
Lose yourself to the beauty of lush greens and rich wildlife by heading to Wayanad, a great spot for a road trip near Bangalore. Wayanad, one of the most scenic locations in South India, will surely make your road trip memorable. This location offers a lot, from taking the forest route and passing by gushes of waterfalls to spotting wild animals out of the blue.
Coorg is a visitors' attraction for its picturesque natural view and wildlife. It is called the Scotland of India because of the similarity in the geography, climate and overall atmosphere of the two places. It is rich in cultural aspects, making it a perfect place to plan for a weekend. You can also choose a few offbeat places for a better experience.
Plan a bike trip from Bangalore to Ooty to explore world-famous tea plantations. Known as the 'queen of hills, Ooty is South India's most popular hill station. Don’t miss stopping at a hotel or cottage close to the tea plantations. Avalanche Lake, Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, and Deer Park are some celebrated tourist attractions in the vicinity.
When planning your bike trips near Bangalore, don’t skip Coonoor, a well-known tea garden town. The speciality of this region is that it enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. Experience the goodness of Nilgiri tea when visiting Coonoor. Dense forest cover, colonial bungalows, and tea plantations add to the popularity of this hill station.
If you enjoy long drives, here are some destinations you can consider for a road trip within 300-400 km from Bangalore:
Your desire to experience short drives around Bangalore will possibly lead you to Pondicherry. Pondicherry has become famous as the ‘French Capital of India.’ Take this opportunity to experience its colonial ambience. When in Pondicherry, do not forget to explore the ancient temples, churches, heritage buildings, and pristine beaches. Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Ashram are well-known tourist attractions in Pondicherry.
Agumbe is the place you should go if you want to see the highest sunset point in the Western Ghats on the Udupi-Agumbe road. Just sit here on one fine evening and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. And don’t forget Barkana Falls, Jogigundi Falls, Sirimane Falls, etc. – some of the majestic waterfalls in Agumbe. Agumbe rainforest research station also attracts visitors.
It will be a big miss if you do not go to Hampi when planning short road trips from Bangalore. Hampi will fulfil your desire to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient temples, forts, and other monuments of interest. The best part about Hampi is its architectural excellence, which attracts both Indian and foreign tourists.
Calicut has gained popularity because of its pristine beaches, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, sanctuaries, and historic sites. Mother of God Cathedral is one of the most-visited pilgrimage sites in Calicut. A road trip here will allow you to enjoy splendid moments at Mananchira Square with your friends and family. Remember to taste the local dishes here, cooked with a perfect combination of spices.
Explore the beauty of rock-cut monuments by planning a road trip to Badami and explore the Badami cave and structural temples. Make sure you visit the Badami Shivalaya, Jambulingesvara, and Bhutanatha temples. If historical and mythological places excite you, then Badami is worth a visit.
How can you miss a road trip to the Princess of Hill Stations, Kodaikanal? This hill town will welcome you to cliffs, waterfalls, grassy hills, lakes, and valleys on any typical day. Abundant with natural beauty, this spot does not fail to fascinate families, couples, or adventure enthusiasts alike. The rich flora in this region is unmatchable.
Gokarna is an awesome beach destination where you can spend a peaceful vacation. Few people know about this beach, so it remains less crowded, offering a secluded beach time. Apart from that, Gokarna can be ideal for religious people. Its sacred sites, like Mahabaleshwar Temple and Koti Teertha, have attracted tourists and pilgrims from across India.
“Roads are made for journeys, not destinations” – this is something road trips help you experience. If you have been going back and forth on planning your road trip from Bangalore, now is the time to take the plunge. We also recommend having a proper car or bike insurance policy in place to be fully protected as you embark on some fantastic journeys.
So, without any ado, pack your bags, sandwiches, and toolkit to explore the hidden gems in and around Bangalore.
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