Charmadi Ghat, Mountain pass in Western Ghats, Karnataka, India

Charmadi Ghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats where National Highway 73 climbs from Charmadi village at 153 metres to near Kottigehara at 970 metres. The road has twelve hairpin curves, and Baalekallu Gudda stands at the eleventh. The pass lies between Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada and Mudigere taluk of Chikmagalur.

This pass developed over centuries as a key trade route connecting coastal Karnataka with inland regions. The route enabled movement of goods and people between different areas and helped link the region economically.

People living near the pass grow crops using methods passed down through generations and celebrate regional festivals connected to the mountains. These traditions show how communities have adapted to life in this elevated landscape.

Visitors can travel this route year-round, but October to February provides the clearest visibility and most pleasant temperatures. Drive carefully through the curves and note that the road becomes slippery during heavy rainfall.

From the highest point at 970 meters, visitors can see the Mangalore coastline on clear days while surrounded by mountain peaks. The ridge names reflect the Kannada and Tulu languages spoken by people who have long called this region home.