ChennaiMahabalipuramMahabalipuram: an hour of coast
The shortest ride here — barely over an hour on coastal highway, with stone temples at the end. Easy enough for a first ride out of Chennai.
55 km ~2 hrs Nov – Feb
Explore RidesChennaiMahabalipuram 
ChennaiPulicat
ChennaiTada Falls
ChennaiTirupati
ChennaiGingee
ChennaiPondicherry
ChennaiYelagiri
ChennaiKodaikanal
Bike rides from Chennai
8 motorcycle routes that start in Chennai, shortest first (55 to 518 km). Each has its distance, riding time, difficulty, best season and road conditions.
Routes8
Shortest55 km
Longest518 km
For beginners6
Good in Oct3
ChennaiMahabalipuramChennaiPulicatPulicat: the lagoon road north
North through Minjur to a quiet fishing town on India's second-largest lagoon, with flamingos in winter and an old Dutch cemetery.
56 km ~2 hrs Nov – Mar
ChennaiTada FallsTada Falls: a short escape
Barely two hours on highway to a waterfall trek. One of the shortest real rides out of Chennai.
93 km ~3 hrs Oct – Feb
ChennaiTirupatiTirupati: an easy highway day
Straightforward highway with plenty of stops, easy enough to do and return the same day.
135 km ~4 hrs Oct – Mar
ChennaiGingeeGingee: a fort on three hills
Down the GST Road and inland to a fort spread across three granite hills. A good day ride, and an early start means you climb before the heat.
151 km ~4 hrs Nov – Feb
ChennaiPondicherryPondicherry: East Coast Road
The ECR is the ride, not just the way there — long open stretches with the sea alongside for much of it. Easy road, so you can enjoy the view.
160 km ~4 hrs Nov – Feb
ChennaiYelagiriYelagiri: highway, then hairpins
Five hours of highway before the road turns up into the hills. The climb is short but tight — worth arriving with energy left for it.
221 km ~5 hrs Nov – Feb
ChennaiKodaikanalKodaikanal: a long climb up
Hours of flat highway before the road turns upward. Save something for the climb — it comes right at the end of a long day.
518 km ~12 hrs Oct – May