[tiger_stripes]

Originally Posted by TaurusAl

I was very scared looking at the buses driven at break neck speed and coming on me head on many instances. Even the private cars hit the brakes at the last moment as they spot you on steep turns. My wife was very uncomfortable all the time in Chorla and we did not enjoy the journey 1 bit due to this maniacal driving. Because of all this, I think, I am happy to drive over a potholed road of Amboli than to risk my life because of some fools who have no sense of safety.

I will agree with you on this one. The road is excellent, but it's narrow with blind corners. Cars, trucks and buses are in a mad rush, and you can't enjoy the scenery because you are busy focusing on who is coming head on. Didn't face this in Amboli.

During my earlier trip, I had taken this route when departing from Goa, and traffic was sparse in the early morning. But this time, I was heading into Goa and reached Chorla around 4 pm and hence encountered more traffic.

I would prefer to use the Chorla route in mornings, and go via Amboli in the later half of the day.

[Ketan T]

I am heading to Goa for this long weekend. Will be driving from Pune to Benaulim (south Goa). I plan to take the Chorla Ghat route. Is the road in Chorla Ghat smooth? I have heard that as the mining has resumed, there is lot of heavy vehicle traffic on this route and that has led to bad roads. Is it worth taking that route? Or should I stick to Amboli route?

[livetodrive]

How are the road conditions from
1. Kolhapur - Gaganbawda - Tarkarli
2. Kolhapur - Radhanagari - Tarkarli
3. Tarkarli - Siolim (any ghats on this section)

I have never driven on the above routes, so here I am...

Trojan,

I have never driven too...but planning to drive this long weekend from Pune to Ashvem Beach followed by Tarkali for Scuba diving and back to Pune on Sunday.

Can you please share which route you took for Pune - Tarkali? I heard that Gaganbawda route is good. I will be leaving Tarkali around 2PM on Sunday for Pune.

[TaurusAl]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

How are the road conditions from
1. Kolhapur - Gaganbawda - Tarkarli
2. Kolhapur - Radhanagari - Tarkarli
3. Tarkarli - Siolim (any ghats on this section)

I have never driven on the above routes, so here I am...

Trojan,

I have never driven too...but planning to drive this long weekend from Pune to Ashvem Beach followed by Tarkali for Scuba diving and back to Pune on Sunday.

Can you please share which route you took for Pune - Tarkali? I heard that Gaganbawda route is good. I will be leaving Tarkali around 2PM on Sunday for Pune.

Kolhapur - Gaganbawda is the best route if going to Tarkarli.

Tarkarli - Siolim is narrow and you have to drive slow. (not driven, heard it from a friend)

[jogidada]

Annual Goa trip scheduled in mid May . I used the Chorla ghat route last year and based on the updates on the thread, looks like it's still the pick for reaching South Goa. Last year I just followed the GPS after the Goa entry fee check post which took me through some route I don't recollect now. Google Maps shows 2 potential routes to reach Varca beach. I'm unsure as too which is the best one - the blue or grey route? Other suggestions welcome as well!

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by jogidada

Annual Goa trip scheduled in mid May . I used the Chorla ghat route last year and based on the updates on the thread, looks like it's still the pick for reaching South Goa. Last year I just followed the GPS after the Goa entry fee check post which took me through some route I don't recollect now. Google Maps shows 2 potential routes to reach Varca beach. I'm unsure as too which is the best one - the blue or grey route? Other suggestions welcome as well!

Both are good routes. One comes via Usgaon into Ponda city while the other sticks to highways (Grey one) and you can bypass Ponda altogether. I'll choose the Grey one as it leaves a lesser chance of you losing way.

[Trojan]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

I have never driven too...but planning to drive this long weekend from Pune to Ashvem Beach followed by Tarkali for Scuba diving and back to Pune on Sunday.

Can you please share which route you took for Pune - Tarkali? I heard that Gaganbawda route is good. I will be leaving Tarkali around 2PM on Sunday for Pune.

Hey hi LTD,

Seems like our plans are similar

I am leaving tomorrow evening, 29-Apr, will be staying over at a friends place at Kolhapur and leave for Tarkarli on the morning of 30-Apr.

As advised by HVK, the best route is, if you avoid Kolhapur altogether and go by the Ajra route. Since I am anyways going to be staying at Kolhapur, I plan to take the Radhanagari route.

Gaganbawda route is in bad shape as per information received.

Radhanagari may be in similar condition, but I want to take that chance as I love driving through forests and new roads. Will update once am back.

Drive safe!

Cheers!
Trojan

[livetodrive]

Thanks Trojan, one question: I will start from Lohegaon after lunch. Planning to join Bangalore Road @Warje bridge. Have you ever tried Katraj Ghat road ? Should I experiment this road if I am starting late (I have to reach Panaji at night) or should I continue with my plan.

Thanks!

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

Thanks Trojan, one question: I will start from Lohegaon after lunch. Planning to join Bangalore Road @Warje bridge. Have you ever tried Katraj Ghat road ? Should I experiment this road if I am starting late (I have to reach Panaji at night) or should I continue with my plan.

Thanks!

If you are joining at Warje bridge, stick to the tunnel route which will save you time. The road in Katraj ghat was quite bad some time back. We might cross paths on the highway tomorrow

[livetodrive]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

We might cross paths on the highway tomorrow

Sure Sir, I will check for your red Fiat Palio...mine is a red DZire Zxi, number ends with 571

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

Sure Sir, I will check for your red Fiat Palio...mine is a red DZire Zxi, number ends with 571

Don't have the Palio anymore. I'll be in an Ertiga with a live to drive sticker.

[bigwheelz]

Returned from South Goa on 28th Apr. Chorla ghat is smooth as usual. Started at 4:30 from Chinchwad and reached Varca at 1:30pm with stop at Sai International for breakfast.
Belgaum is short on Petrol I guess. Didnt get normal petrol anywhere. Checked at 3 petrol pumps. They had premium only. Topup on the NH4 highway before you enjoy the cheaper petrol in Goa.
A word of caution: I was cheated at Kini toll. I asked for Toll till Satara i.e including toll a Taswade which is Rs. 145. The guy took Rs. 145 and gave me the toll receipt. At Taswade, I showed the toll receipt but it was given only for Rs. 75. Had to pay another Rs. 70 at Taswade. I gave an earful to the attendant there at Taswade but he just smiled. Seems it's their usual modus operandi. My mistake was that I didn't verify the receipt after collecting it at Kini.
Please verify the toll receipts if you are taking it for multiple tolls.
Started from Varca at 7:30am, No checks at any of the checkposts. Good for me.
Planned to have breakfast at the KFC/McD/Subway/Pizza hut near KLE hospital (NH4 entry), Belgaum. I reached at 10:30am. All of these were closed and was told that they would open at 11am. Had to drive further on NH4 for breakfast.
Had lunch at Manas restaurant just after Satara. Absolute delight for Non-veg people. They have their food festivals going on this and next month. Worth trying atleast once.

[Ketan T]

Good to know that the road surface on the Chorla ghat route is good. Is there any way to bypass Belgaum city? Last time I went through this route, there was a traffic jam in Belgaum city. I wasted nearly an hour just to pass through Belgaum.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Ketan T

Good to know that the road surface on the Chorla ghat route is good. Is there any way to bypass Belgaum city? Last time I went through this route, there was a traffic jam in Belgaum city. I wasted nearly an hour just to pass through Belgaum.

There is no way you can bypass Belgaum city. You will have to go through it.

[jogidada]

Originally Posted by Ketan T

Good to know that the road surface on the Chorla ghat route is good. Is there any way to bypass Belgaum city? Last time I went through this route, there was a traffic jam in Belgaum city. I wasted nearly an hour just to pass through Belgaum.

There is a route via Khanapur - Gharli - Mollem - Ponda. The last I heard, this route did not have good roads and the Chorla ghat route (which can be accesed only via Belgaum) is preferred. Frequent travellers may be able to throw more light on this.