Here’s a comprehensive guide on the Sampaje Ghat, one of the key ghat roads connecting the coastal region of Dakshina Kannada with the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka:

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🏞️ Sampaje Ghat Overview

• Location: Western Ghats, between Sullia (Dakshina Kannada) and Madikeri (Kodagu).
• Road: National Highway 275 (NH-275).
• Connects: Mangaluru ↔ Madikeri ↔ Mysuru.
• Length of ghat section: ~30–35 km (winding uphill road)

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🚗 How to Reach Sampaje Ghat

✅ From Mangaluru (West side)

• Distance to Sampaje Ghat start (near Sullia): ~90–100 km
• Route:
  • Mangaluru → BC Road → Puttur → Sullia → Sampaje Ghat → Madikeri
• Approx Travel Time: 3–3.5 hours
• Road Type: Two-lane NH with moderate curves and forest patches

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✅ From Madikeri / Mysuru (East side)

• Madikeri → Sampaje: ~25 km
• Mysuru → Sampaje Ghat (via Madikeri): ~150 km
• Route:
  • Mysuru → Kushalnagar → Madikeri → Sampaje → Sullia → Mangaluru

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🏔️ Features of Sampaje Ghat

Feature	Details
Altitude Rise	From ~200 m to ~1,100 m above sea level
Hairpin Bends	Fewer than Charmadi or Shiradi (gentler slope)
Forests	Dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
Rainfall	High during monsoon; heavy mist and poor visibility common
Viewpoints	Not many developed spots, but natural vistas throughout
Waterfalls	Seasonal streams and roadside cascades during monsoon

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🌿 Ecological Importance

• Part of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot.
• Rich in flora and fauna:
  • Elephants, bison, monkeys, and tropical birds are commonly spotted.
• Forests are monitored by the Karnataka Forest Department; some areas are restricted.

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⚠️ Common Issues

Issue	Notes
Landslides	Occur in heavy rains (June–August)
Fog	Dense fog in mornings and evenings during monsoon
Road Work	Periodic road repairs may delay travel
Truck Traffic	Not as heavy as Shiradi, but still present

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🧭 Quick Travel Summary

From	Distance to Sampaje Ghat	Route	Travel Time
Mangaluru	~100 km	NH-275 via Puttur, Sullia	~3–3.5 hrs
Madikeri	~25 km	NH-275 via Sampaje	~45 mins
Mysuru	~150 km	NH-275 via Madikeri	~4 hrs
Bengaluru	~300 km	NH-275 via Mysuru, Madikeri	~6–7 hrs

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🧳 Places Nearby to Explore

Place	Description
Madikeri	Hill station with Raja’s Seat, Abbey Falls, coffee estates
Talacauvery	Source of River Cauvery, ~45 km from Sampaje
Sullia	Small town; gateway to Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subramanya	Pilgrimage center ~35 km south of Sampaje

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🚌 Travel Options

• KSRTC buses connect Mangaluru, Sullia, and Madikeri via Sampaje Ghat.
• You can take a bus from Mangaluru to Madikeri—all pass through Sampaje.
• Private cabs are available from both sides (Mangaluru or Madikeri).