mumbai - malshej ghat ------ mumbai - lonavala
mumbai - raigad fort ------ mumbai - gadeshwar dam
mumbai - jawhar ------ mumbai - murud janjira
mumbai - matheran ------ mumbai - mahabaleshwar
mumbai - palghar ------ mumbai - karjat
mumbai - dahanu ------ mumbai - srivardhan
mumbai - goa ------ mumbai - daman
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
WELCOME TO Kurago0-e-link............LINK THE WORLD
Post your reviews and comments on products, Compare prices, read consumer written product reviews on cars, digital cameras and other products and services.
Quote of the Day
|
The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday - but never jam today.
Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) |
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
14 comments:
Mumbai to Malshej
Route
Mumbai-Murbad-Malshej
Distance
160 km
Best Part
The curves are too good.
Cool climate to ride.
Very little traffic.
Bikes are meant to hug curves and there are many here.
Description
Country roads turning and twisting... best to ride in the monsoons when you actually have to go through the water falls.
Stopovers
Murbad
Fuel Stations
Murbad, Kalyan
Tips
Carry ample fuel because petrol pumps are 30 km apart
Mumbai to Lonavla
Route
Mumbai - Panvel - Lonavla
Distance
146 km
Best Part
Good open road with Ghats, corners and some excellent weather.
Description
After driving on so many National Highways and of course highways better than NH4, this strech from Mumbai to Lonavla remains a personal favourite.The road begins from Mumbai till Panvel after which one has to get on the Mumbai Pune NH4. Post Panvel the road is mostly 4 laned and is currently being broadened from the sides. The 4 laning affair goes on till Khapoli where the Ghat starts. Good corners, steep slopes follow but unfortunately the roads from Khapoli till Lonavla aint upto the mark. After reaching Lonavla take the right after Kumar Water park and continue towards bushi dam and then uphill towards the air force base. The Climate here in the rains is pure bliss. Amby Valley gates are 46kms away from Lonavala. But the main attraction is the breathtaking scenery and views before Amby Valley. During the rains, gusty winds are most common. The roads are great and there are times when u actually drive in the clouds.
Stopovers
Panvel, Lonavla
Fuel Stations
Lots till Khapoli. Few in Khandala and Lonavala.
Tips
This could be a great one day trip. Fill enough petrol needed for the whole trip from Mumbai itself.
Mumbai to Raigad Fort
Route
Mumbai - Panvel - Mahaad - Raigad
Distance
175 km
Best Part
Too good and refreshing nice road surface twists and turns
Description
Raigad is a heavenly experience. Start from mumbai and by any route come on the mumbai-pune road upto Panvel.
Take the goa highay upto Mahaad (not mahad of the ashtavinayak ganesha) from Mahaad the raigad fort i about 25 kms. this road is a beauty after the monsoon rains. lots of turns and speedying stretches. can easily do 80-100kmph. after reaching raigad fort either trek or take the ropeway, the ropeway i the best bet though. ghat section is challenging enough to raise ur adrenaline (i rate it the next best ghat after matheran) ...
Stopovers
lots of dhabas and teastalls on the route
Fuel Stations
after a tank up at mumbai there is hardly any need...but many fuel pumps upto Panvel
Tips
plan overnight as raigad in the night is exhilarating and check for ropeway operation on www.raigadropeway.com since it is closed for maintanance sometimes
Mumbai to Gadeshwar Dam
Route
Mumbai-Vashi-Panvel-Gadeshwar Dam
Distance
100 km one way(thanks, Nitin Pathre!)
Best Part
Lovely scenery all the way. The Dam is set in the foot of Matheran amidst high craggy hills. Just right for a relaxing day.
Description
Take the Sion-Panvel Highway till the flyover for New Panvel (left side of the road once you reach Panvel, before the Panvel ST Depot). Take the flyover and travel for 15 kms on the winding and twisty roads. You will reach a lake and the Gadeshwar dam.
Stopovers
Vashi or Panvel for anything u need. A few Tea Stalls on the way.
Fuel Stations
Panvel is the last place to fuel up.
Tips
Narrow roads - look out for the S.T. buses and guys on bikes. Return during the day as the route is very twisty and not properly lit.
Mumbai to Jawhar
Route
Mumbai-Vajreshwari-Wada-Khodala-Jawhar-Charoti-Manor-Mumbai
Distance
350 km
Best Part
Of the 350 km, only about 100 km are straight. The rest is twist, twist and twist some more...
Description
Start on superb, but straight NH8, turn off to Vajreshwari some 40 km later. The road is bumpy, mostly straight but has enough corners to keep you amused.
Blow by Vaj'wari and keep going until the road ends. Turn left for Wada. Road is good, fast, has a few corners and does have traffic.
Past Wada, the road to Khodala may not be great, but changes direction every 200 m or less. AWESOME. You are inside the Tansa forest, and there is a 10 km ghat section which has awesome surface. Expect to meet another vehicle every hour or so. NICE.
Past Khodala, the road quality remains the same until about 20 km from Jawhar. Reaching Jawhar, passing through to Charoti is FANTASTIC. All hilly, all squiggly with great road quality and absolutely no traffic to speak of.
Expect to be dog tired when you return to Mumbai. There are a couple of alternatives routes to return, apart from the drone down NH8, but have not tried them out yet.
Stopovers
Road side dhabas abound. All the towns make nice stops.
Fuel Stations
Wada, Khodala and Jawhar have fuel stations, but they are few and far between. So stock up before.
Tips
Vaj'wari supplies water to Mumbai, the 23 km from highway can be slippery and wet. For Charoti, use the route that goes THROUGH Jawhar, not the Silvassa short cut. And when you get to the Thane/Charoti fork past Jawhar, pick Charoti.
Mumbai to Murud-Janjira
Route
Mumbai-Panvel-Alibag-Kashid-Murud
Distance
170 km
Best Part
Not far from Bombay! Great coastal food almost every where you'd want to take a bite
Description
This route is a treat, but for its paradox. The best time for the beach is certainly not the monsoon, but the ride is best during the rains.A ride to there is early winter (nov) could provide a best of both!
The ride to Panvel is a drag.... once you're past Panvel the ride changes in charecter. The road is quite well laid and you make good time. Do watch for the diversion to Alibag. else you'd find yourself hurtling towards Goa (not bad really) After Alibag is when the ride is at its best. the road is narrow and you pass thru the Bazaarpeth of Revdanda.
The town is seeped in history for those who seek to explore it. This town was a hub for arab traders in the years past. The mosque at Choul is HUGE, but is scarecely known. Revdanda is also a place where you can wander along the remenants of the old portugese fort and see the ruins of the chapel where St. Francis gave perhaps his first sermon in india. From Revdanada you head on to Kashid with is a magnificient beach. along the way you pass by an another portugese fort of Korlai and also drive thru the Phansad wildlife sanctuary. Past Kashid the views continue to enthrall.
One is almost sad to reach the destination !!
Stopovers
Plenty... i would particularly recomment the 'woods' at Karnala.
Fuel Stations
No fuel stations as you pass thru the santuaries at Karnala and Phansad.
Tips
I'd encourage you to explore and make some detours... this route has a lot to offer!!
Mumbai to Matheran
Route
Mumbai-Airoli/Thane-Dombivli Shil Phata-Badlapur-Neral-Matheran
Distance
85 km
Best Part
Narrow semi-finished roads with lotz of bad patches and a great Ghat section makes the journy on this route a real adventure and thrill
Description
If you are from Central Mumbai Sub-urbans, hit the Eastern Express Highway and continue till Airoli. From Airoli reach to Dombivli
Shil Phata via Mahape. If you are starting from Western Mumbai Sub-urbans, take Ghodbunder road and reach Thane. From Thane, you can reach Dombivli Shil-phata by two ways:
1. Thane-Mumbra-Dombivli Shil PhataShil Phata.
2. Thane-Airoli-Mahape-Dombivli
The 2nd route will be a better choice as roads are always bad in Mumbra.
Once you reach Dombivli Shil-phata, take left turn and continue along the road that goes to Dombivli city. Just 7 to 8 kms before the Dombivli city, you will find a old Octroi Naka, take right turn after the naka. The new road is called Badlapur-Pipeline road. Your fun journey starts from here.
The road is excellent (except few bad kms near Badlapur) and the traffic is also very less.
After you take right turn from Badlapur, the road till Neral is a real
beauty. The road isn't that good what makes it great is good scenic nature along the road and beautiful view of great mountains and waterfalls.
Hey...don't look at them too much concentrate on driving
Once you cross Neral the road to your right goes to Matheran....your dream destination. Matheran is just 7 to 8 kms from here but what a road it is....real thrill....I am sure that you will never forget those 7 kms of Ghat climbing experience, especially when you have a bulky pillion rider with you on your back seat :)) You can test all your Ghat climbing skills on this small road.
Park your vehicles in Dasturi and start walking towards Matheran
station......Yes you can't continue on your vehicles after Dasturi
Stopovers
No stopover is required as this is a very small route of 85 to 90 kms from Mumbai
Fuel Stations
After Dombivli Shilphata to Matheran, you won't find any fuel station. So get your tank full in Mumbai itself
Tips
The road from Thane/Airoli till Badlapur Pipeline road is a big pain.These few kms that are sufficient enough to give you a hard back pain...so drive carefully
Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar
Route
Mumbai - Panvel - Khopoli - Pune - Vai - Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar
Distance
285 km
Best Part
Prior to this trip, I haven't found any road where I can drive my 110 cc bike at a top speed of 100 to 105 kmph continuously for 20 to 30 mins. Isn't it a sufficient reason ? Well compared to the curves and sharp turns and heavy traffic on the Mumbai - Panvel - Pen - Mahad - Poladpur - Mahabaleshwar route, this route is very straight and with very minimal traffic.
Description
Real Pleasure for the Bikers!! This route has everything what a true hi-speed lover wants. You can really get your bike speed tested on this route.
I've touched a top speed of 105 kmph on my Caliber Croma
(double seat + fully loaded with luggage) Although the distance is more by 40 to 50 kms compared to the other alternative route, there is no comparison between the riding speed between the two routes. You can also enjoy the two wheeler riding experience on Mumbai-Pune express highway from khopoli to khandala.
The cream of this route is Pune Satara highway (From Katraj till Vai). You really can't afford to miss the fun of speedy ride on express highway quality Pune Satara 6 lane highway....really superb. Feel the real ghat climbing experience from Vai to Panchgani.
Stopovers
Two to three halts are more than enough. Take first one at Khandala or Lonavala and enjoy the famous lonavala chikki with really cool & scenic nature. You can take the second break before Pune, somewhere near Dehu Road and take the last break at Vai. Visit the famous Ganpati temple in Vai.
Fuel Stations
Get your tank full at Panvel and then near Pune (if required). No good fuel stations from Lonavala till Pune and from Pune till Panchgani...
Tips
Don't get in to the Pune city if you want to save your 40 to 50 mins. Take xxxxx diversion route (just few kms before Pune city??..sorry can't recollect the name of that place).
Mumbai to Palghar
Route
Mumbai-Manor-Palghar-Kelva
Distance
150 km loop
Best Part
This isn't a route for the corner carving addicted. This is for the chap with a fast bike, or a laid back disposition. The fast bike, at least for me is the better alternative.
Description
Head down the western express highway, or go down the eastern express, take Ghodbunder Road from Thane on, until you hit the Ahmedabad highway.
Enjoy the fresh four-lane experience minus too much traffic, till Manor, about 60 km from Mumbai. At Manor, take the right to Palghar. The next 20-odd km are particularly nice. The road is almost deserted, and has two ghat sections. The first is short, under one kilometre. The second one, is about three km and has everything. Plus great surface, good sightlines but for two corners, and even a couple of crests.
Palghar, or Kelva beach, choose your fancy, aren't all that hot though. Turning around the doing the second ghat eight or nine times is more satisfying.
About five km from Manor, a turn off goes to Devkop, which is supposed to be this picture perfect lake, though it requires a short trek after you park the bike. Haven't tried it, though.
Stopovers
Loads of highway dhabas, nothing exceptional
Fuel Stations
Lots
Tips
Keep an eye on your mirrors for the odd car doing well over 160 kph down the deserted, beautifully kept highway.
Mumbai to Karjat
Route
Mumbai-Kalyan-Murbad-Malshej-Murbad-Mhasa-Karjat-Chauk-Panvel-Mumbai
Distance
310 km
Best Part
Extreme variety anyone? Twisty hills, undulating tarmac, straights, and little traffic.
Description
This may be just a 310 km route, and not more than 60 km is proper mountain twisty type, but this is one tiring day. Which, is a guarantee of great sleep. The ride up to Malshej is pretty cool, as you avoid traffic almost all the way. The ghat roads are AWESOME, Mumbai-Goa types should think Poladpur-Chiplun. The small turn off the Karjat is almost unmarket and is the Maharashtra State Highway 38. The 50 km ride is on okay to good roads, not very twisty, but not very straight either. Lack of traffic is a huge attraction. Be careful on the Karjat-Chauk stretch which is chockful of idiots in cars heading to Matheran.
Stopovers
Lots of highway Dhaba types along the way
Fuel Stations
Lots till Murbad, none between Murbad and Karjat. Lots again between Karjat and Mumbai
Tips
Malshej can get crowded on Sunday, so avoid that day. Especially in the monsoon. Watch for cows all the way, they appear in oddest of places. Ditto ST buses. And they go uphill and downhill almost too fast.
Mumbai to Dahanu
Route
Mumbai-Manor-Charoti-Dahanu
Distance
116 km
Best Part
Not much traffic,nice roads,and the beach is unspoilt.
Description
Head of from Mumbai via Dahisar toll naka to Manor, that is about 70 km of superb NH8 for you. After Manor go further for some 20Km to come to Charoti where you take a left. Head in for another 20km to get to the Dahanu beach.
Stopovers
Manor-lotsa dhabbas
Fuel Stations
Plenty
Tips
Beware of the six seater rickshaws on the Charoti-Dahanu road.
Mumbai to Srivardhan
Route
Mumbai -Panvel - Indapur - Mhalsa - Srivardhan
Distance
~160 km
Best Part
The drive through the jungle at Mhalsa and the Bazaarpeth
Description
Not quite the right season for this ride. but plan this ride as soon as the rains halt.Well lets not talk about the ride to panvel.. UUURRRGGGHHH!After panvel you hit the goa highway nice paces for breakfast, You can also halt at the karnala santuary and spend some time wondering... why do they call it a bird santuary?Make sure you dont take the diversion for alibaug. The dirve along the goa highway is rather uneventful, but the road is in good shape.
At indapur you can turn for mhalsa. If you like wandering thru a age old bazzar peth untouched by time; then stop at mhalsa and you wont be dissapointed.The drive just before and after mhalsa is also very interesting with narrow roads thru thick forests. carry and picnic lunch and stop here for a meal in the company of jungle sounds, maybe even catch a few winks under a tree.
it isn't time to turn around yet, reach the srivardhan beach and realx with some delicious sea food, the hold temple of harihareshwar is only a few kms away (16)
Stopovers
Plenty
Fuel Stations
Fuel up before you get off the Goa highway
Tips
In all my travels, i have never had as much difficulty in finding a place to stay as here. Somehow i think there is something they have against single male travellers.
Mumbai to Goa
Mumbai - Panvel - Mahad - Chiplun - Ratnagiri - Sawantwadi - Panjim - Madgaon
Distance
620 km
Best Part
This road has IT ALL!!! Corners, Ghats, long straight open roads, small villages on the way where one has to slow down a bit. Everything is there, name it and you've got it. The 12 odd hours of continuos driving make this route a real challenge cum adventure.
Description
Itinéraire magnifique. Thats the word. What a road! What scenery! The journey begins from NH17 after Panvel crossing through places like Pen, Poladpur, Khed, Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Sawantwadi to name a few. NH17 is a single lane road right till Panjim but is an absolute pleasure to bike on. Scarce traffic, slopes, tight corners, ghats and straight open roads name it and this road has got it. One can easily keep the bike between 80-100kmph constantly. Averaging 60+kmph on this road is not a difficult task. Trip time is approx 12hrs and driving time is approx 10 1/2 hours.
Stopovers
Panvel, Mahad, Poladpur, Ratnagiri, Sawantwadi.
Fuel Stations
Very Scarce. Can find the odd pump at a town on the way. Top up the tank from Mumbai itself.
Tips
Wear long sleeves or apply sunblock lotion on hands and face or get ready for a horrible sunburn. Keep drinking water regularly to avoid dehydration. Dont skip a meal to reach early as it could affect your concentration.
Mumbai to Daman
Route
Mumbai - Manor - Udwada - Devka - Daman - Vapi - Manor - Mumbai
Distance
450 km
Best Part
The climate is great in the mornings. The this road is pure smooth tarmac with 4 and even 6 lanes in some sections. Post Udwada in great driving through rural life and greenery.
Description
Mention NH8 and all you can think about is an open playground for your bike to do a MINIMUM 80kmph! NH8 starts after Dahisar toll naka and one can access it throught the somewhat crowded Western Express Highway or the Godhbunder road divert on the Eastern Express highway. The road is smooth and pothole free and is a treat to bike on. There is little scenery around and one has to admit that there aren't any exciting curves, corners or Ghats on this road, which could make it a bit boring and predictable.
If you start from south or central Mumbai, take the Western Express Highway in the mornings and make sure you come via the Ghodbunder road (Eastern Express Highway) during day as there is a hell lot of traffic on the other road.
Stopovers
Manor, Charoti or Vapi. Manor has lots of Dhabas
Fuel Stations
Plenty
Tips
Beware of a crook cop at a small chowki after Manor. The crook demands money even if you have all papers in order.
Post a Comment