Attihally to Bisle Ghat: A Gorgeous Offbeat Motorcycling Route in Malenadu, Karnataka
Cometh the monsoons and there is no better place to visit than Malenadu (the land of rain) in Karnataka. Every monsoon, I try looking for newer routes to see the land of Malenadu from a different perspective. This time, I came across one such hidden route in the Sakleshpur taluk of Karnataka’s Hassan district. It is tucked somewhere between the Kaginahare reserve forest, Shirdi ghat forest and Bisle forest. It is a single lane newly laid concrete village road that is surrounded by coffee and spice plantations, rolling green hills, mist covered mountains, quaint little villages, mountain streams and dense vegetation. It also happens to be a shorter route connecting Hongadahalla and Kaginahare view point with Mankanahalli ridge point and Bisle Ghat. I am talking about the seven kilometre single lane concrete road between Attihally village and Mankanahalli ridge point and then onwards another 5 kilometres on a one plus one forest highway road to Bisle Ghat.
There is hardly any traffic on this hidden route with the exception of a few motorcycles or any local car/tractor/autorickshaw. And there are lots of scenic pit stops on this route where you can stop, admire nature’s bounty and do a short photo shoot session. This route is also the kind of place where you can become one with your motorcycle, sing your favourite song while not climbing higher than the third or may be fourth gear and take breaks at picturesque locations at every other bend. You will hardly find many locals here, so whoever you find on your way, it is best to strike a conversation with them and may be check with them to see if you are on the correct track. Sometimes during heavy rains, the electricity grid crashes and with that the telecom grid also suffers and thus works only in patches. Hence, it might be prudent not to always depend on your phone and google maps.
The quiet mountain stream that you happen to cross on this route becomes a raging torrent and a tributary of the Kumaradhara river a bit downstream. If you happen to descend from the Bisle view point towards Kukke Subramanya, you will find this very stream to your right at a bend on the Bisle forest highway and it joins the Kumaradhara river a little bit more downstream to your left. This river begins somewhere in the mountains near Attihally village. This means that if you take this offbeat route, you will keep criss-crossing this mountain stream till it joins the Kumaradhara river, while experiencing some amazing nature and waterscapes.
This region of Malenadu is still not as developed as the other parts and thankfully due to that, mother nature here still dons her best look. If you love the monsoons and the Western Ghats, you have to try this gorgeous offbeat motorcycling route in Malenadu between Attihally village and Bisle ghat. It is a monsoon paradise that will be loved by all kinds of travelers, especially motorcyclists and cyclists. I cannot rave enough about this motorcycling route.
How to reach there:
If you are traveling from Bangalore, take the NH 75 to Sakleshpur via Kunigal, Channarayapatna and Hassan. From Sakleshpur, take the Kudrasthe road to Bachalli via Anemahal, Janekere, Byakaravalli and Hethur. And from Bachalli, head straight to Attihally village. The total distance should be about 266 kms.
There is also an alternate route from Channarayapatna via Holenarasipura, Arkalgud, Shanivarasanthe and Kudrasthe. This route carries lesser traffic, but the roads are broken in patches, but ideal for motorcycles.
Best season to visit:
This route is best experienced during the monsoons when the clouds descend on to the road, the water bodies are full and the surrounding nature is dressed in fresh green. If you don’t enjoy the rains too much, you can aim to visit this route right after the rains (say September and October) when the weather will be drier and cooler and the nature will still be extremely pretty.
Where to stay:
There are lots of places to stay in this region. Most premium properties are located closer to Malalli Falls, while really basic homestays can be found near Kudrasthe. For mid-range to entry luxury options, you can try the one at Attihally village, on the Bisle forest main highway and on the Kudrasthe – Sakleshpur highway.
Two of my favourite places to stay in this region are ‘The Malnad Homestay’ and ‘Elemane Farms’. Both these properties are managed by the same family. ‘The Malnad Homestay’ is more basic, but you get to stay with the family and get treated to lip smacking food at every meal. The Elemane Farms is more premium and you get to stay in the middle of coffee and cardamom plantations.
Where to eat:
There are only two places to eat on this route. One is a tiny shop at Attihally village and the other is right before the Bisle forest check post. At both places, you will find hot beverages and may be a snack or two. Don’t expect to find proper meals here. For proper meals, you will either need to backtrack till Kudrasthe or go forward till Kukke Subramanya.
If you wish to experience the traditional food of Malenadu, you should choose some good local homestays in the region. My favourite here is ‘The Malnad Homestay’ at Attihally village.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Kaginahare View Point: A green paradise especially during the monsoons
2) Mookanamane Waterfalls: Hidden amidst pristine forests of Malnad, Karnataka
3) Bisle Ghat: The butterfly forest of India
4) Malalli Falls: Coorg’s prettiest waterfall
5) Trek to Yedakumeri Railway Bridge: Lost in a green world
6) Bisle Beauty Spot: A monsoon paradise and a top motorcycling route
7) Kumaraparvatha Trek: One of the most gorgeous monsoon treks in this region
8) Kukke Subramanya Temple: A popular pilgrimage site on the banks of the Kumaradhara river
9) Manjarabad Fort: A star shaped massive fort built by Tipu Sultan in the 18th century
