Nandi Hills Sunrise Ride

• Sunrise

Out of Hebbal in the dark, up Bellary Road past the airport, a quick coffee, and into the gate queue as it opens at 6am. First light over the valley from the top, a short walk, and home by nine.

1. 04:45Assemble at Hebbal. Quick briefing and headcount under the flyover lights. Full tank, a warm layer and gloves; it is noticeably colder at the top.

2. 05:00Ride out on Bellary Road (NH44). Empty roads past the airport towards Chikkaballapur, then the turn-off for the hills. About 50 km to the gate.

3. 05:35Filter coffee stop on the way up. A short, hot, strong filter coffee near the foothills to warm the hands before the climb. Kept brief so we reach the gate before it opens.

4. 05:50Hairpins to the gate, queue for opening. The road winds up through a string of hairpins. Gates open at 6am; weekends draw a queue, so we aim to be near the front.

5. 06:10First light from the top. At around 1,478 m, on a good morning the valley below sits under a sea of cloud as the light comes up. Sunrise is earliest mid-year, so timing varies by season.

6. 06:50Walk to Tipu's Drop and Yoga Nandeeshwara. An easy stroll to the sheer cliff edge of Tipu's Drop and the old stone Yoga Nandeeshwara temple on the summit, with the fort walls along the way.

7. 07:30Breakfast on the hill. Time for idli, dosa or a second coffee at the eateries on top before the ride down.On your own

8. 08:00Ride back to Hebbal. Down the hairpins in daylight and back along NH44 before the city traffic properly wakes up.

9. 09:00Trip ends at Hebbal. The whole day is still yours. If you have time on another visit, the ancient Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple in Nandi village at the base is worth a detour.