Heading from Mysore to Ooty is quite common, but not many exit Mysore via the Chamunda hills for Ooty via Masinagudi. The incredible ride through Bandipur and Mudumalai is absolutely breathtaking with mobs of deer grazing not too far from the road, monkeys creating the usual chaos and, if you are lucky, a few elephants ambling in the forest. The really lucky ones spot leopards hanging off tree branches. You need to watch your speed through the forest boundaries, but once you are on the other side, turn left towards Ooty.

The road is narrow and gives you a spectacular view of the Nilgiris before climbing rapidly through a series of 36 hairpin bends to get to the top of the hill. You need to be careful about traffic coming downhill because everyone tends to cut corners as they make a quick descent.