Adventuring on Off-Road Trails with the Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Honda Vstrom 250

Exploring the Trails Around Chikkaballapur: An Off-Road Adventure
BHPian nasirkaka recently shared their thrilling experience with fellow adventure enthusiasts:
OFF-ROAD RIDE REPORT
Last Sunday, I decided to take my 400X motorcycle for some trail exploration. My friend joined me on his Vstorm SX 250, and together, we ventured into the scenic landscapes of Chikkaballapur, located about 60 kilometers from Bangalore. As the days are getting warmer, we wanted our outing to be easy and enjoyable. We packed enough water and energy bars to stay refreshed and set out early in the morning on the NH44 highway.
As we left the main highway, we started to look for smaller roads, which rewarded us with stunning views of the countryside. The hills were draped in a light fog, and the cool early morning weather felt delightful.
Once we were off the main road, we discovered plenty of trails, especially since my friend is skilled at finding them on the fly. We stumbled into a more rugged area, which led us further away from our planned route. Intrigued, we decided to explore this wilderness.
The landscape was captivating, with stretches of dry grassland gradually giving way to dense thickets. The weather was still holding up nicely with dark clouds occasionally passing overhead.
We continued riding deeper into the trails as the foliage grew denser. However, the maps were unclear, and we started to wonder if there was any exit from this maze of trails.
The terrain became increasingly challenging, so we opted to return to our original plan. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves back on the country road.
As we rode, we noticed patches of vibrant green amidst the arid landscape, which were a refreshing sight.
Finally, we found the starting point of the trail we had been searching for, hidden behind a small village. This lead to a temple nestled within the woods, which was typically accessible only on foot—a unique challenge we attempted on our motorcycles. The surroundings bore signs of a recent forest fire, leaving the area charred and dry.
Filled with excitement, we began exploring this new stretch, which took us through sections of forest and rocky hilltops. After passing the temple, we ventured deeper, wanting to find an exit.
As the path grew more complicated and less clear, we had to dismount several times. We trekked for hundreds of meters, scouting for an exit and ensuring there was space to turn our bikes around if needed.
In our journey, we encountered a lovely spot in the forest that would undoubtedly showcase a different beauty during the monsoon season. A rocky slope indicated it could become a waterfall with the rains.
After a day full of adventure—with moments of getting lost and using up our hydration supply—we decided it was time to head back. Exiting the area was uncertain and tough, so we retraced our steps along the trail.
For more insights and experiences, don’t forget to check out the comments from fellow BHPians!