[vivek95]

Originally Posted by anand.shankar82

Sorry if this is a repeat question

Planning to drive down to South Goa from Pune next week in a Hyundai Verna

The plan for route is Satara - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Anmod - Mollem

However, wanted to check if this road is in good shape or should I go with Satara - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Chorla - Sankhali route?

Please advise

Go ahead with the Pune-Kolhapur-Belgaum-Anmod ghat-Mollem route. There is a very bad patch of about 3 kms as you are nearing the exit of Belgaum and intermittent rough patches on Karnataka side of the Anmod ghat. None of these should be a deterrent though for taking this route.

[nitinralli]

Thanks Guys for your input on my query. Planning to Goa via Chorla route and then maybe return to Pune via Amboli route just to be daring enough to update all of you here

By the way Off topic though, why is everyone traveling to Goa next week

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

Thanks Guys for your input on my query. Planning to Goa via Chorla route and then maybe return to Pune via Amboli route just to be daring enough to update all of you here

By the way Off topic though, why is everyone traveling to Goa next week

School holidays in Karnataka due to Dussehra

Btw, Amboli route isn't that bad. A colleague went to Sawantwadi couple of weeks ago, and she said it's manageable with careful driving (she has a Polo).

Cheers,
Vikram

[nitinralli]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

2 weeks school holidays in Karnataka due to Dussehra

Btw, Amboli route isn't that bad. A colleague went to Sawantwadi couple of weeks ago, and she said it's manageable with careful driving (she has a Polo).

Cheers,
Vikram

When she says careful driving, is it because of bad roads or because of traffic and ghats sections?

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

When she says careful driving, is it because of bad roads or because of traffic and ghats sections?

She was referring to the road conditions. Even though they are less than perfect, they aren't bad enough to warrant going via Chorla for someone visiting North Goa (her opinion, not mine - I use Chorla even for North Goa).

She went on a week day, so there was almost zero traffic

Cheers,
Vikram

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

Planning to Goa via Chorla route and then maybe return to Pune via Amboli route just to be daring enough to update all of you here

I suggest, go via Amboli route so that if it is really that bad, you can still manage it as it will be discending drive. If you find it manageable for return journey, then you can come back via Amboli itself or Chorla is there as an alternate route.

[nitinralli]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

(her opinion, not mine - I use Chorla even for North Goa).

And your reason for picking Chorla route even though its longer??

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

And your reason for picking Chorla route even though its longer??

For me, that is more convenient as my 1st stop in any Goa trip is our family deity, which is located just 15-20 kms from Sanquelim on the Goa border, after descending Chorla. If I use Amboli, I have to travel inside quite a bit from erstwhile NH17, and that takes a lot of time.

Also, it helps that more often than not, Chorla is in better condition than Amboli. ;-)

Cheers,
Vikram

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

And your reason for picking Chorla route even though its longer??

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Also, it helps that more often than not, Chorla is in better condition than Amboli. ;-)

And you make up for time on the stretch between Sankeshwar and Belgaum (as against Sankeshwar/ Gadhinglaj to Ajra/ Amboli)

And you get full value for the toll you paid earlier by using the road till Belgaum

And you have better eating options in Belgaum than in Amboli

And the views are more scenic

And you end up directly in Sanquelim, as against driving down from Sawantwadi. Wait you already mentioned that.

For South Goa, you get all of the above in the Bhimgad/ Anmod route plus awesome roads till Madgaon. As against the traffic pileups on NH17 from Panaji to Madgaon.

This now looks like an ad for different variants rolled out by a car manufacturer or a DTH service provider

[moralfibre]

Plan to ride to Goa next weekend. Is the Amboli route bad for bikes too? Which section is broken?

[nitinralli]

Thanks guys. I just googled and the distance from starting point (Blue Ridge Apartments Pune) to Veera Strand Hotel in Calangute is 438 kms taking 8.25 hrs via Amboli. However if going via Chorla, then its 473kms taking 9.20 hrs.

[Amey Kulkarni]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Plan to ride to Goa next weekend. Is the Amboli route bad for bikes too? Which section is broken?

Would suggest to take Anmod route to Goa just to enjoy the jungle and roads.

Chorla was broken last time I went. But Anmod is known to be more scenic with better roads.

Cheers,
Amey

[Ertigiat]

Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni

Would suggest to take Anmod route to Goa just to enjoy the jungle and roads.

Chorla was broken last time I went. But Anmod is known to be more scenic with better roads.

One can enjoy Jungle (Provided the route taken to reach Goa is through Bhimgad wildlife Sanctuary) for a short distance of journey.

But Anmod is definitely not scenic compared to Chorla or Amboli. Rather Anmod is one of the most boring ghat section in entire western ghats.

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Plan to ride to Goa next weekend. Is the Amboli route bad for bikes too? Which section is broken?

I have not traveled through Amboli recently but given an option, I surely will pick Amboli over Chorla or Anmod.

Chorla is narrow & scary for bikers where as Anmod is too bland.

I am pretty sure Amobli route won't have patches so rough that it will trouble seasoned bikers.

[mpksuhas]

Came across this today. I feel it's bit on pricier side, however good option for those who want to experience cruise ship.

Link

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Caution:
Just read news about Luban storm and Goa beaches. Almost all beaches in Goa are under rising water. Goa tourism department has issued warning not to venture in the sea till 14th Oct. The shacks are also closed.
Check the details about this warning before proceeding toward Goa.