10 Weekend Bike Rides from Delhi: Hills, Forts and Highway Breakfasts
The best weekend bike rides from Delhi NCR: Murthal breakfast runs, Neemrana, Rishikesh, Lansdowne, Kasauli, Mussoorie, Chakrata and more, with tips.
· MotoWave team · 3 min read
Delhi’s riders have it good: flat, fast highways in every direction, with the Himalayan foothills within a morning’s ride and Rajasthan’s forts just down the road. Here are ten weekend rides from Delhi NCR, from a breakfast run to a proper hill weekend.
Before you go: distances are approximate from central Delhi. Traffic leaving the city can add hours, so start early. Check road and weather conditions before heading into the hills, especially in the monsoon.
Quick list
| Ride | Approx. distance (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Murthal | 50 km | Breakfast run |
| Damdama lake | 60 km | Short morning ride |
| Neemrana | 120 km | Fort and highway run |
| Sariska | 200 km | Forest roads and a tiger reserve |
| Rishikesh | 240 km | River town and hill roads |
| Lansdowne | 250 km | Quiet cantonment hill town |
| Jim Corbett | 250 km | Forest and rivers |
| Mussoorie and Dhanaulti | 290 km | Classic hill station |
| Kasauli | 300 km | Himachal foothills |
| Chakrata | 330 km | Offbeat hill town |
Short rides (back by lunch)
1. Murthal: the breakfast run
The Delhi biker’s ritual: an early ride up NH44 towards Sonipat for parathas and butter at the famous highway dhabas in Murthal. Leave early to beat the traffic both ways.
2. Damdama lake
A lake in the Aravalli hills near Sohna, south of Gurugram. A short, easy morning ride with views over the water.
Day rides
3. Neemrana
Take NH48 towards Jaipur to Neemrana, with its 15th-century fort (now a heritage hotel). It’s a fast highway run, so watch for trucks and keep a safe distance.
4. Sariska
Via Alwar to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, with forest roads and old temples. Ride only in daylight, and follow the reserve’s rules on where private vehicles can go.
Weekend rides (overnight)
5. Rishikesh
The gateway to the Himalaya, on the Ganga. Ride via Meerut and Haridwar, then continue into the hills towards Devprayag if you have time. The roads beyond Rishikesh are narrow and busy with pilgrim traffic in season.
6. Lansdowne
A quiet cantonment town in the Garhwal hills, reached via Meerut and Kotdwar. The climb from Kotdwar is a lovely winding road. It’s peaceful and less crowded than the famous hill stations.
7. Jim Corbett
Forest, rivers and wildlife near Ramnagar. The ride in is on good roads; inside the park, safaris are by authorised vehicles only.
8. Mussoorie and Dhanaulti
Via Dehradun, then up the ghat road to Mussoorie and on to Dhanaulti for quieter pine forests. Busy on long weekends, so go midweek if you can.
9. Kasauli
A small colonial hill town in Himachal, via Chandigarh and Parwanoo. The winding climb and the view of the plains make the ride worth it.
10. Chakrata
An offbeat hill town beyond Dehradun, with the Tiger Falls nearby. The road is narrow and has fewer facilities, so fuel up in Dehradun or Vikasnagar.
Tips for riding out of Delhi
- Leave before sunrise. Delhi’s exit traffic is the hardest part of every ride.
- Beware of winter fog. From December to February, dense fog on the highways around Delhi can cut visibility to a few metres. If it’s thick, don’t ride; if you must, slow right down and use your hazard lights.
- Summer heat is dangerous from April to June. Ride early, stay hydrated and avoid the midday sun.
- Monsoon in the hills (July to September) means landslides. Check road status before you go.
- Highway discipline: stay left, watch for vehicles on the wrong side and trucks overtaking.
Riding with your crew? Read our group riding rules and touring checklist. Ready for more? Plan a Leh-Ladakh bike trip or the Spiti Valley circuit.