There is a saying among the residents of Udhagamandalam that a local can reach the centre of the bustling hill town from any of the hills that surround it in less than 20 minutes if they know the right shortcuts. The shortcuts, known commonly as “bridle paths” were part of the town’s planned infrastructure by the British to ensure that walking was a viable means of getting around the town.
However, due to decades of neglect, most of these pathways are now badly damaged, poorly lit, overgrown with weeds and bushes or have simply disappeared due to becoming encroached upon by local businesses and residential properties.
