The National Highway 73 (previously national highway 234) climbs the Western ghats from Charmadi. This ghat section has 12 Hairpin curves and receives very heavy rainfall of over 7000 mm during the monsoon. Some of the prominent peaks in this region include Jenukallu Gudda, Baalekallu Gudda and Kodekallu Gudda. In Kannada and Tulu, kode means 'umbrella', kallu means 'rock' and gudda means 'hill'. The roads in this ghat section are very narrow. Baalekallu Gudda is located at the 11th hairpin curve. On a clear day, the Mangalore coastline is visible from the top of Charmadi ghat. The Netravati river originates at Bangarabalike which lies between Charmadi and Kudremukh. This ghat section is very deep compared to the other Ghat sections of Karnataka. Compared to other places in Dakshina Kannada, the winter is quite chilly in Charmadi because of the elevation.