Read more answers as I got on this isuue : A: Loads of broken surface and some really bad potholes. Loast a Michelin Pilot Sport3 a fortnight ago. Claim rejected by Michelin today. Drive at 60-80 kmph should be okay From Moradabad to Rampur it's fair return is not good B : Yes Route is all good but not safe at odd hours. C: This route is not safe D: Ager raat me koi roke tou bilkul mat rukna Don't Stop, If someone tries to stop you. E: Returned on Sunday from Ranikhet... Took same route. Started from Delhi @0300 Pilkhuwa is a mess due to elevated highway construction however should not be an issue at night or early morning. Reached Gajraula at 0530. Road between Belwara and Tanda was bad with deep craters... Rest is all good. Reached Ranikhet at 1130. Was stuck at Pilkhuwa for about 1 hour on our way back @1900 hrs on our way back. Used the Delhi - Gajraula - Tanda - Bazpur - Kaladungi - Nainitaal - Ranikhet route both ways.
Thanks for all the information. Will plan accordingly, might leave Delhi early morning around 3.30-4am, rather than late night.
In my opinion, there are 3 routes: 1. Delhi-Moradabad bypass-Rampur-Rudrapur-Kiccha-Sitarganj-Khatima-Tanakpur-Lohaghat-Pithoragarh-Dharchula 2. Delhi-Moradabad bypass-Bareilly-Pilibhit-Khatima-Tanakpur-Lohaghat-Pithoragarh-Dharchula 3. Delhi-Moradabad bypass-Rampur-Rudrapur- Kathgodam-Almora-Danya-Pithoragarh-Dharchula Although, Google maps and most people suggest, first 2 routes. I personally prefer the 3rd route. There is more hill driving in 3rd route, but roads are generally better once you reach Kumaon. If time is not the constraint and you love hill driving, take the third route, its more scenic and much less traffic. My information is slightly dated, I went 2-3 years back on this route, but in my opinion Kumaon roads are generally good as compared to mess between Rudrapur and Tanakpur on 1st route and Pilibhit and Tanakpur on 2nd route.
If you are planning Delhi Nainital and beyond and back to Delhi, use this route both ways. Do not make mistake of using Rampur, Rudrapur. It was crazy, we were driving faster in the mountains, pot holes. 4 lane work is on, and only very short lengths are done on one side only so the rest of the road is not being repaired, pot holes and pot holes. The taxi guy told us this is faster route. but i guess this guy had not been on this route for some years. I dont expect any improvement for another 3 years. @rameshtahlan
Road on plains beyond Moradabad Bypass is not fast. Better enjoy route in hills if comfortable to drive on curves other than missing pot holes / craters & braking suddenly !
Above is good choice but road construction work is going from ghat to pithoragarh. And road condition is really bad. If you're planning dharchula, add narayan ashram also. Beautiful place.
