A Day Out on Your Bike in Bengaluru: Two One-Day Ride Plans

Got a free Sunday and a full tank? Here are two ways to spend a whole day on your motorcycle in and around Bengaluru: a sunrise loop in the hills to the north, and an old-city ride through Bengaluru’s heritage and breakfast spots. Both are easy to ride solo or with your crew.

Before you go: distances and timings are approximate, and opening hours, entry rules and parking change. Check before you ride.

Plan 1: North Bengaluru sunrise loop (about 150 km)

Best for: riders who want hills, highway and history in one day.

4:30 am — Leave the city

Head north on NH44 (Bellary Road) past Hebbal while the roads are empty. Wear a warm layer; mornings on the hills are cold, especially from November to February.

6:00 am — Sunrise at Nandi Hills

Join the queue at the gate and ride the hairpins up for sunrise. On a winter morning after rain you may get the famous sea of clouds. Walk around the top, then head down before the crowds peak.

8:00 am — Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple

At the foot of Nandi Hills, in Nandi village, this temple dates back more than a thousand years and is one of the most beautiful in the region. It’s peaceful in the early morning. Dress modestly and leave your boots at the entrance.

9:00 am — Breakfast

Stop at one of the many darshinis and dhabas on the way back towards the highway for idli, vada and strong filter coffee.

10:30 am — Devanahalli fort

Devanahalli, near the airport, is the birthplace of Tipu Sultan. The old fort walls and the small memorial marking his birthplace make a good, quick stop.

Afternoon — Back to the city, or keep going

Head back into Bengaluru before the afternoon heat, or extend the ride west towards Makalidurga or north to Avalabetta (see our offbeat places guide).

Plan 2: Old Bengaluru heritage and food ride (about 40 km)

Best for: a relaxed day in the city, short rides between stops, and a lot of food.

7:00 am — Breakfast in Basavanagudi or Malleshwaram

These two old neighbourhoods are home to some of Bengaluru’s most famous breakfast places, known for crisp benne dosa and filter coffee. Get there early on weekends, when the queues are long.

8:30 am — Bull Temple and Bugle Rock (Basavanagudi)

The Dodda Basavana Gudi houses a huge monolithic Nandi, and the Bugle Rock park next to it is a quiet green space with great old trees.

9:30 am — Lalbagh

Park outside and walk in. The glass house, the old trees and the Lalbagh rock (one of the oldest rock formations in the world) are worth an hour.

11:00 am — Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and the Bengaluru Fort

A short ride away in the old city, near the busy K.R. Market. The wooden summer palace and the remains of the Bengaluru fort show the city’s history before it was the IT capital.

1:00 pm — Lunch

Try a traditional meals place for a banana-leaf lunch, or head to the food streets near V.V. Puram or Shivajinagar, depending on your taste.

3:00 pm — Cubbon Park and Vidhana Soudha

Park outside and walk through Cubbon Park — parts of it are closed to traffic on weekends — to Vidhana Soudha’s grand facade.

Evening — Sunset ride out of town

End the day with a short ride to Hesaraghatta lake for the sunset, then home.

Tips for a day on the bike in Bengaluru

• Beat the traffic. Start early and avoid the Outer Ring Road and central business district during peak hours.
• Park legally. Towing is active in central Bengaluru; use proper parking and lock your helmet to the bike or carry it.
• Carry water and stay hydrated — riding in city heat is tiring.
• Don’t ride tired. A full day of stop-start riding takes more out of you than a highway run.

If you ride with friends, keep the group small in the city, and agree where to meet if you get separated at signals. For longer rides, see our list of weekend bike rides from Bengaluru.