Wonderful places to explore in Karnataka on a motorbike
Author(s): City Air NewsBiking is a combination of exhilaration, relaxation, adventure, and pleasure that makes every rider feel one with his motorbike. Ask any rider and he/she will tell you it is their ultimate joy. Fortunately, there...
Biking
is a combination of exhilaration, relaxation, adventure, and pleasure that
makes every rider feel one with his motorbike. Ask any rider and he/she will
tell you it is their ultimate joy. Fortunately, there are many places in
Karnataka that are perfectly suited for exploring
on a bike. Here is a curated list of ideal road-trips from Bangalore.
1. Nandi Hills
A
popular road trip from Bangalore, for drives and bike rides, is the much
visited Nandi Hills. Amazing weather, exquisite landscape, and fresh unpolluted
cool breeze welcome the riders. The 60 km ride witnesses good roads and fairly
less traffic. You can also stop over at Discovery
Village Resort at the foot of the hill for a scrumptious brunch.
2. Mysore
Mysore, the ‘City of Palaces’ is located around 160 km
away and is known for its royal heritage, architectural genius, historic
legacies, yoga, dazzling silk sarees, and sandalwood. The opulent Mysore Palace
is an ode to the regal era that has gone by. You can also ride up to the
Chamundi temple. The three-hour-long ride
can be done on the superb 4 lane state highway connecting the two cities and
though the route is busy, the traffic is uninterrupted and fast.
3. Shivanasamudram Falls
A little off the Mysore highway perched by the Kaveri
River not more than 135 km from Bangalore is the Shivansamudram Falls. A
perfect one day ride along NH209, you can set out early to enjoy a perfect ride
and relax here by the cascading fall before the crowd gets in.
4. Bheemeshwari
Around 105 km away is the fishing town of Bheemeshwari
known for its picturesque lush landscapes and exotic wildlife. The place is
ideal for trying out sports like river rafting, boating, kayaking, fishing, and
trekking. You can also find many adventure camps and fishing sites here. After
the two hour ride, treating yourself to some fresh fish is the icing on the
cake. The roads are good with ample restrooms and petrol bunks en route.
5. Coorg
Supposedly
the Scotland of South India, Coorg or Kodagu, is a 280 km ride from Bangalore
and is set amidst lush green coffee estates with enviably cool misty weather
throughout the year. The roads are good making it a
perfect ride. Once in Coorg, you can indulge in adventure sports activities
like river rafting and trekking and riding through coffee estates.
6. Kabini
The
beautiful Kabini is nestled uniquely in the Nagarhole forest presenting you
with dense greenery, rich wildlife, and incomparable serenity. The Kabini
Wildlife Sanctuary is popular for being the home to one of the single largest
congregation of Asiatic Elephants and is a paradise for nature lovers. This has
been declared as a tiger reserve and is home to 250 species of flowers and
trees. What more could you ask for? There are several Jungle
lodges in Kabini,
but we recommend The Discovery Village Resort,
for its rustic ambiance, delectable food, and great service.
7.
Skandagiri
Skandagiri,
an ancient mountain fortress is about 70 km away from Bangalore and makes for a
great weekend ride. Known for its night treks, bikers reach there after dark
and return the next morning after taking in the stunning sunrise from the top.
You could also camp out there and bird watch in a picturesque setting. Bikers
take the NH 44 to reach Chikbellapur and move to
Pappagni Matt to park their bikes before the trek.
8. Wayanad
Located around 265 km from Bangalore, Wayanad is scenic
with a pristine unpolluted environment and options for adventure sports. The
ride, however, is a bit bumpy, but the shaded road through the Nagarhole forest
with nothing but lush green towering trees, insight, more than makes up for any
inconvenience. Bikers take note that the route through Nagarhole Forest is
closed from 7 PM to 7 AM, so plan your ride accordingly.
9. Ooty
Embraced by the Nilgiri Hills, The ride to Ooty via the
Bangalore-Mysore highway and later the SH 66 is 266 km away from Bangalore.
Ooty has a chilling climate and spectacular
awe-inspiring view of the Blue Mountains, tea gardens, and serene waterfalls.
The mesmerizing landscape of Ooty is a perfect respite from the city through
the climb has several hairpin bends, making it a thrilling ride.