Going on a trip to Wayanad can be an exciting adventure that you will never forget in your lifetime. Wayanad is a beautiful part of Kerala adorned with rolling hills, dense forests, stunning waterfalls, and rich wildlife. Every minute spent in this spot is worth remembering. Road tripping to Wayanad from Bangalore is a lot of fun and an ideal way to spend your weekend. What makes a road trip exciting is the journey, noticing little things, and taking in the beauty around you. You might have tons of questions about a road trip from Bangalore to Wayanad. Don’t panic; you can find all your answers here.

Bangalore to Wayanad Distance

Wayanad is about 350 km from Bangalore, and the distance varies depending on the path you take. It takes about 6-7 hours to cover the distance, as most of the path passes through hilly terrain, where you can’t do high speed.

The journey from Bangalore to Wayanad is easy for most of the trip, as these are toll roads very well maintained by the Dept. of Highways. These are four-lane highways, with medians dividing oncoming traffic, well-planned configurations, and service roads. White lines, cat eyes, and blinking LED road studs are additional protection measures on these highways. You pass the toll booths at an average distance of 40-60 km from each other.

The Ghats roads are narrower and a little more challenging. As one thing, you’re constantly climbing, and there are sharp hairpin bends that take skill and precision to navigate while avoiding traffic down. Also, hilly terrain is unpredictable, with fog rising without warning, hindering visibility. Keep this in mind when making a road trip plan for your Bangalore to Wayanad. Start early to avoid driving along the Ghat stretch after sunset.

Planning for a budget trip? Checkout: Budget trips in India

Best routes from Bangalore to Wayanad

You’re in your own vehicle when you’re on a road trip, so you’re free to choose the route you want to take. There are three distinctive routes that you can choose from. All three routes are good; we suggest that you take one route on your way up and another on your way back. This way, you’re going to see a lot more and make the ride a memorable one.

The Mysore route

You’re going to cross a few interesting sights on this route, along NH 275. The path you must take is Bangalore–Channapatna–Srirangapatna–Mysore–Kattikulam–Wayanad. It’s 324 km long and takes about 7 hours, with a few pit stops.

But if you want to stop at tourist sites, it will take a little longer. The places of interest that we would recommend are—

Heritage Winery: The winery in Channapatna offers tours of the vineyards and the distillery, showing how the Sula wine is made. It’s an enchanting place, and it’s an informative tour. You’re going to get to taste the wine.

Barachukki Falls: Worth a detour during the monsoon, when the fall is at its glory

Mysore: There is plenty to see and do in Mysore; we recommend visiting the Amba Vilas Palace, the Brindavan Gardens and the Mysore Zoo at least for a full day

Checkout: How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip Like a Pro

The Coorg Route

Reaching Wayanad via Coorg is through a slightly longer route; however, every bit of your time and effort is worth it. It’s a long, scenic drive, over 250 km to Coorg, via NH 75 Hit the Bangalore – Mysore Road – Bidadi – Ramanagara – Channapatna – Hunsur – Periyapatna – Karadigodu (Coorg) – SH 89 – Wayanad. Coorg is close to 110 km away from Wayanad.

Visit the seasonal waterfalls—Abbey Falls and Mallalli Falls—if you have the time. Check out the perspectives for a bird’s-eye view of the Western Ghats and take a historic tour of the Madikeri Fort.

The Somnathpur-Bandipur Route

The route cuts through the area of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve Forest and is a drive of almost 400 km. You’re going to take NH 275 and NH 766. Bangalore—Channapatna—Malavalli—Gundlupet—Bandipur—Wayanad—Somanathapura.

The highlight of this route is the National Park and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. On your drive, you will probably meet animals: deer, elephants, foxes, mongooses, peacocks, etc. Stop off for a wildlife safari at the Forest Reserve office. This is a tiger territory, and there are high chances to see a tiger in the wild.

The other places of interest on this route are the ancient Temple of Chennakesava, founded by the Hoysalas, and the highest Gopalaswamy Betta and the Peak of Chembra, both for the views.

Nature lover? Checkout: Top Waterfalls in India

Best time to Travel

The months between October and May are the best for planning a road trip from Bangalore to Wayanad. By then the rains have subsided, and the mercury has fluctuated between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius, which is very satisfying. The woods turn lush green, and the warm environment is bringing out wildlife.

The months from June to September are also good if you don’t mind the rain because there’s plenty of it. It’s an ideal time to visit, though—the landscape comes alive. The rains are drinking up the earth, and the surroundings are becoming green. An endless surge of frothy water bursts from the waterfalls, and the rivers and streams dance a little more. Nature throws up a beautiful series.

Safety measures

Here are a few things that you must keep in mind while you are on a road trip—

Make sure your car is in good order, gets it serviced, tanks up and checks the wheels’ air pressure, including the spare wheel
Don’t drink, drive and stick to the speed limit
When driving uphill (1 or 2), shift to a lower gear and do not go at high speed
Don’t park your car on the highway-go to the laybys
Carry water, snacks and foodstuffs
Make sure to rest before you fly
Start your journey early so traffic avoidance
Make sure you traverse the Ghats until it is dark
Warn yourself when driving through the Ghats and Forest Reserve; wildlife can come out of nowhere
Do not be distracted while the Ghats negotiate; stay focused

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the distance between Bangalore and Wayanad?

The road distance between Bangalore and Wayanad is approximately 280 to 300 kilometres, depending on the route taken.

2. Are the roads well-maintained, and what about rest stops or facilities along the way?

The roads are generally in good condition, particularly the highways. Along the way, there are numerous restaurants, gas stations, and rest stops for refreshments and facilities.

3. Are there any noteworthy attractions or stopovers on the way to Wayanad from Bangalore?

Yes, there are several interesting places to visit along the way, including Mysore, Bandipur National Park, Sultan Bathery, and the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad.

4. Which are the preferred routes for driving from Bangalore to Wayanad?

There are several options, but the most popular are via Mysore via National Highway 275 or via Bandipur National Park. Another route goes through Kanakap.

5. Are there any noteworthy attractions or stopovers on the way to Wayanad from Bangalore?

Yes, there are several interesting places to visit along the way, including Mysore, the Bandipur National Park, Sultan Bathery, and the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad.

There you are, with plenty of reasons and nothing to stop you from your road trip. Just give it a go, and we assure you that you will have the time of your life. It’s always better to take a break from your everyday life once in a while. Let the breeze hit your face and refresh your soul like nothing else. If you are into road trips, why don’t you check out our international tour packages to explore road trips in New Zealand or Italy? Life is all about creating wonderful memories.