Beyond the Sahastradhara-Robber's-Cave circuit lies the Dehradun locals actually ride to, riversides without entry queues, ridge temples, wetlands full of winter birds. Ten of them, all real, all reachable on a ₹700 day rental, ordered by distance from the city.
Under 15 km, the after-class escapes
1 · Khalanga War Memorial (~8 km). A forested ridge above Sahastradhara Road holding an 1814 Anglo-Gorkha war story and the best quiet viewpoint this close to town.
2 · Tapovan on the Rispana (~10 km). Ashram-and-riverbank calm on the city's eastern edge, an hour of peace priced at one hour of scooter.
3 · Shikhar Falls (~12 km). A short walk from the road-head to a waterfall that's all yours on weekdays. Skip during peak monsoon flow.
4 · Old Rajpur village (~12 km). The heritage lanes below Mussoorie Road, colonial houses, the old pilgrim route's first mile, and cafes at the finish.
15–25 km, the half-day loop
5 · Maldevta (~15 km). The riverside default: shallow water, maggi points, zero planning. Weekday mornings are pure privacy.
6 · Santala Devi temple base (~15 km). Ride to Punjabiwala, then a proper uphill walk to the ridge shrine, earn your view.
7 · Kimadi waterfall road (~20 km). The forest road toward Kimadi village strings together stream crossings and picnic bends, the ride IS the destination.
8 · Lachhiwala (~20 km). Forest pools on the Haridwar road. Known, yes, but weekday-empty and lovely (nominal fee where applicable).
25–40 km, the committed morning
9 · Asan Barrage wetland (~40 km). Winter (Nov–Feb) turns it into a migratory bird theatre, bring zoom, leave drone. Flat, easy riding via Herbertpur.
10 · Mohand & the Rajaji fringe (~35 km). The forest gateway on the Saharanpur road, ride the buffer-zone stretch at dawn for the big-jungle feeling (respect park rules; entry into Rajaji proper is regulated).
Field notes
- Weekdays > weekends everywhere on this list, that's the "hidden" mechanism.
- Monsoon changes rivers. Maldevta and Shikhar in spate are watch-from-the-bank places; the seasonal notes aren't decoration.
- Fuel first. Several of these have no pump en route, top up at Premnagar or the city edge.
- Want the famous list too? Things to do around UPES covers the classics.