East Coast Road — Chennai to Pondicherry viaMahabalipuram.
Distance
160 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
200 m
East Coast Road — Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram.
The classic Tamil Nadu coastal day ride. The East Coast Road (TN-49 / ECR) runs 160km along the Bay of Bengal from Chennai's Marina Beach to Pondicherry's French Quarter, threading between Coromandel salt pans, fishing villages, the UNESCO Pallava monuments of Mahabalipuram, and Auroville's experimental township. Flat, fast, well-paved — ideal beginner day ride. Best in winter (Nov–Feb); avoid noon heat.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance160 km
Days1
Total climb200 m
DifficultyEasy
Loading map...
The route.
Marina Beach ChennaiStart · Start at Marina Beach, the longest urban beach in India (6km). Head south on TN-49 (ECR) — leave by 7am to beat traffic out of the city.
Muttukadu BackwaterScenic Point · Lagoon between road and sea. Catamaran rides and a Boat Club. Cool sea breeze; first taste of open coastal road.
Madras Crocodile BankScenic Point · Founded by Romulus Whitaker in 1976 — gharial, mugger and saltwater crocs. India's most successful captive-breeding centre. Quick 30-min stop.
Mahabalipuram Shore TemplePhoto Spot · UNESCO 7th-century Pallava temple right at the surf line — built from a single granite outcrop. Arjuna's Penance bas-relief and Pancha Rathas a short walk inland.
Mahabalipuram (lunch)Restaurant · Lunch at Moonrakers or a seafront cafe. Fresh prawn, crab masala, coconut feni. Park bikes in the central tourist lot.
Sadras Dutch FortScenic Point · 17th-century Dutch East India Company trading post. Quiet ruin overlooking the sea — often you'll be the only visitor. Coffee farms inside the walls.
Marakanam Salt PansPhoto Spot · Salt fields stretch to the horizon. Workers shovelling pure white pyramids — striking photo opportunity. Pull over only on the shoulder.
Auroville MatrimandirScenic Point · Experimental township founded by The Mother in 1968. Visitor centre and viewpoint to the golden Matrimandir sphere. Inside-entry needs a day-ahead booking.
Pondicherry White TownEnd · End in Pondicherry's French Quarter. Walk the Promenade Beach at sunset; cold beer and steak frites at one of the colonial cafes on Rue Suffren.
More routes in IN TN
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS