The ride
East out of the city through Raipur, onto the quiet, narrow Maldevta road and down to the Song river, which rises on the Mussoorie ridge. Maldevta, about 20 km out in Shripur, is a picnic spot in the forest with a temple up a flight of steps and clear pools in the dry months.
Beyond it the tarmac gets narrower, and the stony river beds and dirt tracks of the valley are popular with trail riders. Experienced riders can follow the road as it climbs after a small bridge over the Song towards Kaddukhal, Surkanda Devi and Dhanaulti. That is a full day out and back.
Along the way
Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar)
Leave the city eastwards on Raipur Road.
Raipur
The last market on the way out. Buy water and snacks here: there is no food at Maldevta.
The Song river
The road drops to the Song: wide, stony beds and clear water in the dry months, forest on both banks.
Maldevta
A forest picnic spot on the river in Shripur, with the Maldevta temple up a flight of steps and pools for a dip in summer.
About 10 AM–6 PM. Leave before dark.
What to see and explore
River-bed and dirt tracks
Stony river beds and dirt tracks along the valley floor, popular with trail riders. Only on the Scram 440 or Himalayan 450, and never when the river is up.
Kumalda and the valley villages
Small villages on terraced slopes above Maldevta. Park and walk the lanes for a slower look at the valley.
On to Kaddukhal and Dhanaulti
The road keeps climbing towards Kaddukhal, the base for Surkanda Devi temple, and on to Dhanaulti about 8 km further. A full-day ride for experienced riders; check road conditions first.
Cafés and food
Raipur market
The last stop for snacks, water and chai before Maldevta. Pack a lunch here.
Ride safe
- Helmets are compulsory for rider and pillion.
- There are no food stalls at Maldevta. Carry water and a packed lunch.
- Stay out of the river in the monsoon: the Song rises fast after rain upstream, and cloudbursts have damaged village roads in this valley.
- Wild animals pass through after dark. Do not camp alone, and leave before sunset.
- On gravel, stand on the pegs, keep the speed low and look ahead. On the Scram and Himalayan, switch off rear ABS only on loose surfaces.
- Take your litter home: plastic left by picnickers is choking the river bed.
Opening hours change with the season. Check locally before you set off.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: NN10 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map relief from SRTM elevation data; roads © OpenStreetMap contributors.