8 Weekend Bike Rides from Hyderabad: Ananthagiri, Srisailam and More
The best weekend bike rides from Hyderabad: Ananthagiri Hills, Bhongir fort, Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam ghat, Warangal and Ramappa — with timings and tips.
· MotoWave team · 3 min read
Hyderabad’s riders get long, open highways in every direction, rocky Deccan landscapes, forts and some surprisingly green forest roads. Here are eight weekend rides from the city, from a sunrise run to a full day through a tiger reserve.
Before you go: distances are approximate from central Hyderabad, and forest-road timings can change. Check before you ride.
Quick list
| Ride | Approx. distance (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bhongir fort | 50 km | Short morning ride |
| Ananthagiri Hills | 80 km | Forest roads, sunrise |
| Pocharam | 115 km | Lake and forest |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | 150 km | Dam and river |
| Warangal | 150 km | Kakatiya heritage |
| Srisailam | 215 km | Ghat road through a tiger reserve |
| Ramappa temple | 210 km | UNESCO World Heritage temple |
| Laknavaram lake | 210 km | Hanging bridge and lake |
Short rides
1. Bhongir fort
A fort on a huge monolithic rock, an easy ride east on the Warangal highway. Climb up for the view over the Deccan plain.
2. Ananthagiri Hills
Near Vikarabad, the Ananthagiri forest is one of the greenest spots near the city, with winding roads, a temple and viewpoints. It’s lovely in the monsoon and early winter. Ride slowly in the forest, and don’t ride it after dark.
Day rides
3. Nagarjuna Sagar
South-east to one of the largest masonry dams in the world, on the Krishna river. The highway is fast and straight, so pace yourself and take breaks in the heat.
4. Warangal
The capital of the Kakatiya dynasty: the Warangal fort, the Thousand Pillar Temple and the Bhadrakali temple.
5. Ramappa temple
Beyond Warangal, the Ramappa (Rudreswara) temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its carvings and its “floating” bricks. Combine it with Warangal and Laknavaram for a full weekend.
6. Laknavaram lake
A lake with islands and a hanging bridge, in the forests near Mulugu.
7. Pocharam
A lake and wildlife sanctuary north of Hyderabad, with quiet forest roads.
The big one: Srisailam
8. Srisailam through the Amrabad Tiger Reserve
The ride to the temple town of Srisailam on the Krishna crosses the Nallamala forest in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, with a spectacular ghat road down to the river.
- Timings: the forest road through the reserve is closed to all traffic, including motorcycles, from 9 pm to 6 am. Plan to be through the forest well before closing time.
- Speed and stopping: there’s a speed limit in the forest, and stopping on the forest road isn’t allowed. Keep moving, and watch for animals crossing.
- Fuel up before entering the reserve.
Tips for riding out of Hyderabad
- Summer heat from March to June can be brutal. Ride at dawn, carry water and rest in the shade at midday.
- Highway speeds are high. Watch for trucks, vehicles on the wrong side and cattle near villages.
- Monsoon (June to September) makes the forest rides beautiful, but watch for slippery roads and potholes. See our monsoon riding tips.
Riding with your crew? Read our group riding rules and see the 15 best motorcycle road trips in India.