We have seen many roads abroad that are pure bliss to ride a motorcycle on. And some roads even in India offer a thrilling experience and one of them is a hidden gem in South India — the Kothagiri Ghats. Many have travelled on this strip of road that connects Ooty and Mettupalayam, but seldom realise how good the road is on a motorcycle. Here are more details.
Kothagiri Ghats — Where is it and how long is the stretch?
The Kothagiri Ghats actually starts in Ooty and connects a serene little village called Kothagiri, and then on to Mettupalayam, another town at the foothills of Ooty. The 61km stretch of road winds and twists through small villages and if one’s lucky, they can encounter wildlife too — elephants, leopards, tigers, bison, and deer.
The stretch takes you from an elevation of 325 metres above sea level to an altitude of 2,240 metres above sea level. If the journey starts in Ooty, one is treated to a straight stretch of road at the end of the ghats. But be warned, this is an elephant crossing zone so one has to keep the speed in check.
Kothagiri Ghats — What makes the route special?
Most of the Kothagiri stretch is twisty roads and is surrounded by tea estates till the town of Kothagiri. Past the town, and the surroundings change to a forest area and past that is a blissful view of the plains.
What truly makes this ribbon of tarmac special is the various sections of roads — it has everything from hairpin bends, fast corners, slow tight corners, and multiple switchback corners. The roads are wide enough for traffic, however, a mistake can be potentially risky.