Pune to Goa - advice on planned route would be appreciated

[pilbeam]

Would appreciate some advice on a new route we are planning to take to travel from Pune to Goa. Here's the full story :

We have been driving from Pune to South Goa (Margao) every year, and we have tried all the better-known routes. The main difference between the various routes is the ghat used to transfer from the NH4 (Mumbai-Bangalore) to NH17 (Mumbai-Goa). We have eventually settled on the route through Amboli Ghats, with the Nipani-Uttur-Ajra shortcut (this avoids Gadhinglaj) as this has been the quickest way.

This year we want to go all the way down to Belgaum on the NH4 before turning off. The conventional way would be to take the NH4A (Belgaum-Panaji) but I am told that the stretch between Londa and Molem is a complete disaster. Apparently a large number of huge trucks carrying ore are always on the road, and they have reduced it to a dirt track.

An alternative seems to be the Chorla Ghat road. The route appears to be like this :

(1) take the NH4A out of Belgaum and turn right at Piranwadi (this is very close to Belgaum)
(2) Pass through Jamboti to Chorla, where the ghat begins. A break at a new resort called "Wildernest" at Chorla has also been recommended.
(3) Come down Chorla Ghat towards Senqelim and Mapusa.
(4) Turn off left at Valpoi (this is just before Senqelim) and go through the Bondla Sanctuary to Ponda.
(5) There is then a reasonably good road from Ponda to Margao.

Is anyone aware of these roads or better still travelled by them recently? Would appreciate feedback on them.

[Esteem77]

Can someone help melease:

I am planning to travel from Goa to Pune on 25th Sep, 2007 through the route Goa->Poladpur->Mulshi->Pune (mostly NH17). Will start early morning to reach Pune by evening. As Ganesh Chaturdashi falls on the same day, can you please advise if I am likely to face traffic problems on the way?
Any alternatives are welcome.

Cheers,
Esteem77

Mod's Note: Please post in the correct section and in existing open threads on the subject. Also, not more than 2 smilies per post is allowed.

[hvkumar]

The Mulshi road is normally in a bad shape during the rains - I would avoid it unless I am really keen on doing it for the heck of it. I have driven through NH17 on Ganpati day, you will encounter some minor processions here and there, but by and large there is no problem in that route.

I would take the Chiplun-Koyna-Karad route instead of the Pholadpur-Mulshi route.

[vikram18]

Originally Posted by pilbeam

Would appreciate some advice on a new route we are planning to take to travel from Pune to Goa. Here's the full story :

We have been driving from Pune to South Goa (Margao) every year, and we have tried all the better-known routes. The main difference between the various routes is the ghat used to transfer from the NH4 (Mumbai-Bangalore) to NH17 (Mumbai-Goa). We have eventually settled on the route through Amboli Ghats, with the Nipani-Uttur-Ajra shortcut (this avoids Gadhinglaj) as this has been the quickest way.

This year we want to go all the way down to Belgaum on the NH4 before turning off. The conventional way would be to take the NH4A (Belgaum-Panaji) but I am told that the stretch between Londa and Molem is a complete disaster. Apparently a large number of huge trucks carrying ore are always on the road, and they have reduced it to a dirt track.

An alternative seems to be the Chorla Ghat road. The route appears to be like this :

(1) take the NH4A out of Belgaum and turn right at Piranwadi (this is very close to Belgaum)
(2) Pass through Jamboti to Chorla, where the ghat begins. A break at a new resort called "Wildernest" at Chorla has also been recommended.
(3) Come down Chorla Ghat towards Senqelim and Mapusa.
(4) Turn off left at Valpoi (this is just before Senqelim) and go through the Bondla Sanctuary to Ponda.
(5) There is then a reasonably good road from Ponda to Margao.

Is anyone aware of these roads or better still travelled by them recently? Would appreciate feedback on them.

There is a road from Belgaum, which, I think will take you via Amboli, and you exit at Sawantwadi. The road to Belgaum is BRILLIANT, the ghat, though a tad too long, has a great road. I did this on the 19th of May. Left Pune in the evening, stopped at Belgaum, took this road to Palolem. Took me around 8 hours overall. 4+4. Did this driving comfortably in a Civic; no really high speeds.
Hope this helps. Go Goa!

[BunnyPunia]

Yep, the Belgaum-Amboli route is the best

[moralfibre]

BTW guys, you don't have to go all the way to Belgaum to take this route. You have to turn off at Nipani on the ghat.

[JUDA]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

BTW guys, you don't have to go all the way to Belgaum to take this route. You have to turn off at Nipani on the ghat.

I agree , you have to take the right after kolhapur on Nipani, this is the best route, good country roads no traffic at all and yes it gets you to Goa quicker saves time. Very scenic road liked it last year traveled twice via that route. The belgaum route adds about 50-60 kms more.

[Esteem77]

Thanks moderator for posting on correct thread.

Thanks for the responses

[goandude]

Originally Posted by JUDA

I agree , you have to take the right after kolhapur on Nipani, this is the best route, good country roads no traffic at all and yes it gets you to Goa quicker saves time. Very scenic road liked it last year traveled twice via that route. The belgaum route adds about 50-60 kms more.

the nipani amboli rd abt 70 kms, is narrow and bad in patches. other wise pune goa is best thru this route

[JUDA]

Originally Posted by goandude

the nipani amboli rd abt 70 kms, is narrow and bad in patches. other wise pune goa is best thru this route

Has anyone used the Nipani route lately, wanted to know the condition of the roads, I am using the SWIFT, planing to travel soon to GOA for a vacation. Need to know how good the roads are at present. GOANDUDE need your first hand opinion here.

[JUDA]

Originally Posted by JUDA

Has anyone used the Nipani route lately, wanted to know the condition of the roads, I am using the SWIFT, planing to travel soon to GOA for a vacation. Need to know how good the roads are at present. GOANDUDE need your first hand opinion here.

The route i was talking about is

PUNE-KOLHAPUR-NIPANI-SANKESHWAR (TURN RIGHT OFF EXPRESSWAY)-VILLAGES>>> GADHINGLAJ-AJRA-GHATKAR-SAVANTWADI-BANDA-MAPUSA. Anyone used this route before? or know about this route road condition at present?

[dinar]

the condition is not that good... it takes quit a long time because of this... try going to belgaum and from there anmod. have heard from my friend that the road is done up real good on that route...

[king_julian]

I just got back from a trip to Goa, and on the onward journey we drove till Belgaum and followed the NH4A via Londa & Anmod to reach Panjim via Ponda. The road is simply awful with monstrous potholes and areas where there is no real road surface. I'm happy that I appear to have escaped without any major issues with the car.

Just wanted to tell other members driving down from Pune to avoid this route at all costs.

Thanks,
Amit.

[JUDA]

Originally Posted by king_julian

I just got back from a trip to Goa, and on the onward journey we drove till Belgaum and followed the NH4A via Londa & Anmod to reach Panjim via Ponda. The road is simply awful with monstrous potholes and areas where there is no real road surface. I'm happy that I appear to have escaped without any major issues with the car.

Just wanted to tell other members driving down from Pune to avoid this route at all costs.

Thanks,
Amit.

So the best route to GOA still stands at

[FONT=&quot]Satara>Karad>Kolhapur>Nipani>Sankeshwar> [Right turn to Ghadinlaj] >ajra> Savantwadi> [Left turn for Banda] Banda > Pedne [police Station]>Chapodem>Anjuna Beach>Baga.

Anyone got a fresh first hands on this ? or any other route after the rains? Need opinion fast may be leaving in a day or two..


[/FONT]

[spadival]

Hi all..

Any idea if some of the routes to Goa apply in case of going from Pune to Tarkarli beach near Malwan?

Yahoo India gave this option - > Yahoo! India Maps

But I am not sure if the route actually exists !! Such is my confidence on Yahoo India and mapmyindia maps