Satellite map of Charmadi Ghat

Karnataka · India

Charmadi Ghat

NH73Charmadi to Kottigehara

Distance15.0 mi24 km
Drive time39 minon the road
DifficultyDemandingtightness 10 of 10
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The deepest and remotest of Karnataka’s ghat roads, climbing 817 m through unbroken rainforest across 12 hairpins on a single-lane road that sees almost no tourist traffic.

The ghat begins at Charmadi village and climbs immediately into dense evergreen forest, the 12 numbered hairpins spread out with long climbs between corners. Genuinely narrow (two trucks cannot pass), it is part of NH73 linking Mangalore to Tumkuru; heavy vehicles avoid it for the lower Shiradi Ghat. Above the trees the ridge opens westward toward the coast, the summit at Kottigehara at 970 m.

Scenery

ForestGorgeValley

Best seasons

AutumnWinter

In these collections

Charmadi Ghat on the map15.0 mi · point to point

CharmadiStart · Karnataka
KottigeharaEnd · Karnataka

Character

Corners145bends
Tightness10of 10
Max gradient12%≈ 1-in-8
Hairpins11bends over 150°
Climb953 mtotal ascent
Summit977 mhighest point of the line · 3,205 ft

Corners

busiest around mile 4
4711 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%136.3 – 977 m
summit · 977 m 200400600800 m 0715 mi

Points of interest1 stop

  • Charmadi GhatiViewpoint
    9.2 mi in

Hazards

  • Narrow single-lane road
  • Blind corners
  • Wildlife crossing
  • Monsoon closures
  • Landslides

Sources

  • “This ghat section is very deep compared to the other Ghat sections of Karnataka. The roads in this ghat section are very narrow.”

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Charmadi Ghat: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Charmadi Ghat?
Charmadi Ghat runs 15.0 miles (24 km) and takes about 39 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Charmadi Ghat to drive?
We rate it demanding: 145 corners including 11 hairpins, a maximum gradient of 12%, and a tightness of 10 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Charmadi Ghat?
Autumn and Winter are best.

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