Facile and efficient protocols for the synthesis of 2- R-6,8-dinitro [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines from commercially available starting materials have been developed. The reactions proceed via cyclization of corresponding 3,5-dinitropyridine-2-yl hydrazides or aldehyde 3,5-dinitropyridine-2-yl hydrazones followed by in situ Dimroth rearrangement to provide these triazole fused bicyclic heterocycles in good yields under mild conditions. Another synthetic route to target N-bridged dinitro [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a]pyridines includes arylation of 5-aryltetrazoles with 2-chloro-3,5-dinitropyridine and subsequent thermal decomposition/cyclization.