Heading for Wayanad this Onam? Know alternative routes to avoid Thamarassery Churam

Wayanad is finally gearing up for a vibrant tourism season after a brief slump caused by heavy monsoon rains and landslide scares during the Kalladi tunnel construction. With a favourable weather forecast and a long holiday weekend, local tourism operators are looking forward to a busy Onam season with renewed hope.

However, this spike in tourist footfall brings with it the dreaded prospect of gridlocks. Thousands of vehicles from within Kerala, as well as neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, are expected to wind up the hills, which could choke the primary arterial route - the Thamarassery Churam (ghat road). While the local police are implementing special traffic management systems, experienced travellers suggest taking alternative routes to bypass the heavy congestion. Here is a guide on how to reach Wayanad without getting stuck in the Churam traffic.

Travelling from Kozhikode to Wayanad
For those driving from Kozhikode, the Kuttiady and Nadukani Churam roads are excellent alternatives to avoid the main ghat road. If you are heading towards Sulthan Bathery, you can take the Nadukani Churam. To do this, head along the National Highway to Kunnamangalam, then drive via Mukkam, Areacode, and Nilambur. Alternatively, you can take the Kozhikode Medical College – Edavannappara – Areacode – Nilambur route to join the Nadukani path.
For travellers bound for Mananthavady, the Perambra – Kuttiady – Thottilpalam – Niravilpuzha road is a viable option. However, do note that this is a relatively narrow stretch, making it less suitable for heavy or large vehicles. Ongoing works on the hill highway might also cause minor delays on this stretch.

Travelling from Kannur to Wayanad
Travellers coming from Kannur can make use of the Periya Churam, Palchuram, or the Mahe–Thottilpalam route. To reach Mananthavady, you can drive via Koothuparamba and Periya. Another scenic route to Mananthavady is via Iritty, Peravoor, Kottiyoor, and Boys Town, crossing Palchuram. However, keep in mind that local authorities sometimes place restrictions on Palchuram during heavy rains for safety reasons. If you are unfamiliar with this steep and winding terrain, it is highly recommended to plan your journey through here during daytime. Another alternative is the Thalassery – Mahe – Thottilpalam route to Mananthavady.

Travelling from Southern Kerala and Malappuram
If you are travelling from the southern districts of Kerala or Malappuram, you can completely avoid Kozhikode by heading through Nilambur. The ideal route is Nilambur – Vazhikadavu – Nadukani – Cherambadi – Vaduvanchal. Once you reach Vazhikadavu, those headed to Ooty should keep right, while Wayanad-bound travellers must take the left fork. This road takes you directly to Vaduvanchal. From there, you can turn right to head towards Sulthan Bathery, or proceed towards Kalpetta and Vythiri.