7 OF THE BEST CYCLING ROUTES IN SOUTH INDIA
04:06:10 June 12, 2025
Finding the best routes for cycling in India can be a challenge. With the country’s vast size and incredibly diverse terrain, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose a trail or circuit that matches your interests and riding style. To make things easier, we’ve put together a curated list of 7 cycling routes across India—each offering a unique blend of scenery, culture, and adventure.
We hope this guide helps you narrow down the perfect route for your next cycling expedition in India.
The following is the list of the routes that we have selected;
- Beach & backwaters cycling tour- Kerala
- Coast and hills- Goa to Kochi cycling
- Coast to coast cycling – South India (Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
- Jungle trails cycling south India tour
- Kerala cycling tour
- South India cycling and wildlife watching tour
- Peninsular curve – beach and village cycling tour of south India
We think you will like the suggestions that we have put together, go on and find out where the wheels are going to take you next!
Beach and backwaters cycling tour – Kerala
Cycling distance- 300km
Start/finish- Kochi-Kovalam
Duration-10 days
Surface- Tarmac and trails
Ride through Kerala’s coastal charm on this immersive cycling journey blending tranquil backwaters, quiet beaches, and vibrant village life. Starting near Kochi, pedal past lush paddy fields, coconut groves, and traditional fishing hamlets. Cruise the Alleppey backwaters on a canoe and unwind by the Arabian Sea as sunsets paint the sky. Perfect for those seeking a slow-paced, scenic adventure.
Kochi, where the journey begins, is a historic port city that once served as a key hub in the global spice trade. Its past is layered with Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences, visible in its colonial architecture, churches, and old forts.
Alleppey—often called the “Venice of the East”—was once the center of the coir industry and an important inland port. Today, it’s famed for its intricate network of backwaters and houseboats
Coast and hills- Goa to Kochi cycling
Cycling distance- 636km
Start/finish- Goa – Fort Kochi
Duration- 16 days
Surface- Tarmac
This spectacular route from Goa to Kochi combines India’s tropical coastline with the misty heights of the Western Ghats. Starting in the laid-back beaches of Goa, the ride traces the Arabian Sea through quiet fishing villages, cashew groves, and temple towns, before gradually ascending into the lush forested hills of Karnataka and Kerala.
The terrain transitions from flat coastal stretches to rolling hills and shaded forest roads, offering a rewarding mix of challenge and scenery. En route, experience the cultural richness of coastal Karnataka, visit historic forts, explore spice plantations, and ride through the cool highlands of Wayanad or Coorg before descending into Kerala’s palm-fringed lowlands.
Ending in Kochi, the journey blends sun, sea, and mountain air—an unforgettable ride through some of South India’s most diverse landscapes and cultures.
Coast to coast cycling – South India (Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
Cycling distance- 775km
Start/finish- Mahabalipuram, Chennai – Kochi
Duration- 14 days
Surface- Tarmac
This unique coast-to-coast ride takes you from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, crossing the heart of South India through two culturally rich states—Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The route winds through spice-scented hills, forested valleys, and tea-covered slopes before descending onto Tamil Nadu’s drier plains and finally reaching the Coromandel Coast.
Along the way, ride through vibrant temple towns, colonial hill stations, and sleepy rural landscapes. The terrain includes a mix of gentle coastal roads, winding hill climbs, and open countryside. From the tropical greenery of Kerala’s backwaters to the grand Dravidian temples of Tamil Nadu, this journey is as much about cultural discovery as it is about cycling.
Finishing on the eastern shore, you’ll have pedalled across peninsular India—a rare chance to truly experience its depth, contrast, and continuity.
Jungle trails cycling south India tour
Cycling distance-
Start/finish-Kochi
Duration- 08 days
Surface- Tarmac
This cycling tour winds through the wildlife-rich forests and hillscapes of South India, offering an immersive ride through the Western Ghats’ most biodiverse regions. Beginning near the Nilgiri foothills, the route takes you through a mosaic of tropical forests, wildlife sanctuaries, tea plantations, and tribal villages.
Pedal through the heart of the Munnar and Chinnar where sightings of elephants, gaur, and even elusive big cats are possible. Continue to the misty heights of Valparai, surrounded by lush rainforest and home to endemic species like the Lion-tailed Macaque and Great Hornbill. Ride along forest corridors connecting Anamalai and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaries, where dry scrub meets montane woodland, alive with bird calls and wild encounters.
The tour balances thrilling jungle rides with moments of quiet beauty—river crossings, canopy views, and campfire evenings under starry skies. It’s an ideal journey for those seeking adventure, wilderness, and a deeper connection with South India’s natural heritage.
Kerala cycling tour
Cycling distance- 485km
Start/finish- Kochi
Duration- 11days
Surface- Tarmac
This all-encompassing cycling tour explores the best of Kerala—from misty highlands to coastal backwaters—offering a rich blend of landscapes, culture, and local life. Starting in the foothills of the Western Ghats, the route climbs into the tea gardens and shola forests of Munnar, where cool mountain air and scenic views set the tone.
From here, the journey continues through vibrant paddy fields, rubber estates, and sleepy canal-side settlements before reaching the famed backwaters of Alleppey.
End the ride along the Arabian Sea, where quiet beach roads and fishing hamlets offer the perfect coastal finale.
South India cycling and wildlife watching tour
Cycling distance- 455km
Start/finish- Bangalore-
Duration-10 days
Surface- Tarmac
This tour blends the thrill of cycling with the excitement of wildlife exploration across the biodiverse landscapes of South India. Ride through forested backroads, mountain passes, and plantation trails, with each day offering the chance to encounter nature up close.
The journey winds through some of the Western Ghats’ most renowned reserves—Mudumalai, Chinnar and Periyar—home to elephants, langurs, hornbills, and a wide array of endemic birds and mammals. Between safaris and guided walks, you’ll cycle through tribal settlements, spice-scented hills, and tea-covered slopes, with regular pauses for wildlife spotting and cultural encounters.
With a mix of challenging hill terrain and gentle countryside trails, this tour is perfect for nature lovers seeking an active way to explore South India’s rich ecological and cultural fabric.
Peninsular curve – beach and village cycling tour of south India
Cycling distance- 1250km
Start/finish- Chennai – Calicut
Duration- 26days
This relaxed, scenic ride follows the gentle arc of peninsular India’s coastline—from the Coromandel shores of Tamil Nadu to the Malabar coast of Kerala. Along the way, cycle through palm-lined beaches, vibrant fishing villages, sacred temple towns, and quiet rural heartlands that few travellers get to see.
The route hugs the sea for much of the way, with detours into serene backroads, paddy fields, and culturally rich towns like Pondicherry, Rameswaram, and Kanyakumari—the southern tip of the subcontinent. Each day offers a new rhythm: coastal sunrises, village markets, historic ports, and warm hospitality.
Perfect for those who love slow travel, this tour offers a deep dive into South India’s coastal charm, local life, and diverse cultures—bringing the journey full circle across the peninsula.
Now! What’s your favorite from the list??
Pick your path—coast, hills, jungle, or villages—and let the ride begin!