The Journey is The Destination
Now we all know that India has an abundance of breathtaking travel destinations to choose from, they range from the centuries old palaces and forts to the scenic mountain tops and valleys. No matter what your choice of destination is, the most important part (at least to me) is how I’m going to get there. Do I take the road that everyone does or do I take the one less traveled? Well, if you’re like me, I know you’d choose to explore and travel on paths that offer peace and serenity as well as an inexplicable satisfaction of journeying on roads that make you feel special. That being said, here are a few underrated biking trails that are sure to take you to a new place as a rider.
1. Bangalore to Wayanad
With a distance of 282 kilometres between the start and end points, the journey between Bangalore and Wayanad is one filled with everything that a rider craves to experience. From cutting through traffic on the Bangalore city streets to cruising through the Bandipur forest, this south Indian biking trail offers an addictive experience. The 6 hour journey can be taken any time of the year thanks to the well maintained roads, though it is preferable to make the trip in monsoon so that you can witness the true beauty of Wayanad. This route is slowly gaining popularity and might soon drop out of this list, so it might be better to make this trip while this trail is still considered underrated.
2. Guwahati to Tawang
This biking trail is as beautiful as it is dangerous and needs some pre-planning because the 550 kilometer distance (Via Nagaor - Tezpur - Bhalukpong - Dirang) consists of having to cross over into Arunachal Pradesh from Assam and requires a ‘Inner Line Permit’ which is relatively easy to procure if all your documents are in order. Once you’ve taken care of the formalities you will get to see the true beauty of the northeastern states as you will ride through tea plantations, a tiger reservation and if you’re lucky, you will get to ride through the clouds. This 3 day ride is enjoyed best in the Summer and with a group of friends who are ready and willing to ride with you to the gates of heaven.
3. Pollachi to Chalakudy
The second south Indian biking trail on this list, the comparatively short distance of 130 kilometers between Pollachi and Chalakudy can be covered within 3 hours. The dense rainforest along the entire route will make sure that you remain cool throughout the journey, add to that the dams and wildlife reserves along the way and you will have yourself an unforgettable experience. Riding along this route is completely safe throughout the year making it one of the safest and best options for a novice rider to get some road time under his belt. Don’t let the short distance and less ride time of this trail let you overlook it, because once it gets popular, you will regret not riding on it when it was still underrated.
4. Visakhapatnam to Lambasingi
Lambasingi is the only place in South India where the temperatures get so low that it snows, yes! you read it right. It snows in Andhra Pradesh! Now that I have your interest piqued, let’s talk about the biking trail. The road from Visakhapatnam to Lambasingi is the shortest on this list at 105 kilometers, but as you start your 3 hour journey to witness something that you never thought possible (snow in south India) you will feel an inexplicable connection with your ride and the newly laid down concrete roads, which will feel so smooth that you’ll think you’re gliding towards your destination. Best time to visit is in the winter (obviously) but make sure that you carry proper thermal wear for the cold so that you don’t get overwhelmed by this underrated biking trail.
5. Ahmadabad to Rann of Kutch
With a total distance of 767 kilometers this biking trail takes us through the heart of the fastest developing state in India. A 4 (for experienced riders) to 5 (For novice riders) day ride, this biking trail will take you into the white desert, take you to historical architectural marvels like Dholivara (The only city of the Harappan civilization in India) which is sure to make you think about where we’ve come from and it will also show you the most stunning sunsets as you sit and watch the sun set into the white desert sand. Even when the journey ends and you reach the Rann of Kutch, you can rent a Bhunga (mud house) and experience moonlight in a way that you’ve never seen before.
So there we have it, our list of underrated motorbiking trails in India.
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