KozhikodeWayanad (Kalpetta)Wayanad: up the Thamarassery churam
A short ride from Kozhikode made special by the Thamarassery churam, nine hairpins with the Malabar coast spread out below.
71 km ~2 hrs Sep – May
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Browse motorcycle routes across India — distance, difficulty, best season and road conditions, at a glance.
KozhikodeWayanad (Kalpetta)
KochiAthirappillyAthirappilly: a waterfall morning
Up NH 544 to Angamaly, then east past Ezhattumugham to Kerala's biggest waterfall. Best just after the monsoon, when it is full and the road is dry.
73 km ~2 hrs Aug – Jan
KochiThekkadyThekkady: into the spice hills
Across the plains via Pala, then up the KK Road through Mundakayam and Peermade to Kumily's spice gardens and the Periyar reserve.
155 km ~4 hrs Sep – May
KochiVagamonVagamon: meadows and pine forest
Through Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha, then a steep hairpin climb from Moolamattom to rolling meadows, pine forest and tea. Start back before the afternoon fog.
105 km ~3 hrs Sep – May
ChennaiPulicatPulicat: 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
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
MaduraiRameswaramRameswaram: across the Pamban bridge
Flat, fast road east to the coast, then the long sea bridge onto Pamban island. Carry on to Dhanushkodi, where the road ends in the sea.
173 km ~4 hrs Oct – Mar
MaduraiKodaikanalKodaikanal from Madurai: the short way up
Across the plains to Batlagundu, then a long, steady ghat climb to Kodaikanal at over 2,000 metres. You need a Tamil Nadu e-pass to get in.
112 km ~3 hrs Sep – Jun
CoimbatoreMunnarMunnar via Chinnar: the dry side up
Through Pollachi, into the dry Chinnar forest and up past Marayoor's sandalwood to Munnar's tea. A different ride from the Kochi one.
148 km ~4 hrs Sep – May
CoimbatoreValparaiValparai: forty hairpins and tea
Through Pollachi and past Aliyar dam, then 40 hairpins climbing into tea estates and rainforest. Lion-tailed macaques often sit by the road.
105 km ~3 hrs Sep – May
BangaloreKolli HillsKolli Hills: seventy hairpins
Highway to Salem, then past Rasipuram to the foot of the hills and 70 numbered hairpins in one climb. Much quieter than Yercaud.
275 km ~7 hrs Sep – Mar
BangaloreGandikotaGandikota: the canyon ride
Up NH 44, then across the Rayalaseema plains via Kadiri to a fort above a red granite gorge on the Penna. Camp for the sunrise; it is the reason to come.
283 km ~7 hrs Oct – Feb
BangaloreLepakshiLepakshi: highway to a temple town
Straight up NH 44 into Andhra to a 16th-century temple with a hanging pillar and a giant stone Nandi. An easy breakfast ride.
125 km ~3 hrs Oct – Mar
BangaloreShivanasamudraShivanasamudra: the monsoon falls run
Down Kanakapura Road and through farm country to the Kaveri's twin falls, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. Go in the monsoon, when they are loud and full.
108 km ~3 hrs Jul – Nov
BangaloreYercaudYercaud: twenty hairpins up the Shevaroys
Through Hosur, Dharmapuri and Salem, then 20 hairpins up to a coffee-country hill station with a lake at the top.
214 km ~6 hrs Oct – May