I selected to drive the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike through the National Highway. Kalambali Chowk is almost the starting point of the Mumbai – Pune Expressway. The expressway runs above the Chowk.
As I was driving from Mumbai I turned the motorbike left-hand side below the Mumbai – Pune Expressway towards Kalambali Chowk.
Kalambali chowk > Palaspa Fata, Panvel (7 km)
At Palaspa Fata, Panvel, there are two options:
- National Highway 17 (Mumbai – Goa Highway)
- National Highway 4 (Mumbai – Bangalore Highway via Pune city)
Palaspa Phata, Panvel to Goa via National Highway 17 is 495.5 km approx.
Palaspa Phata > Karnala bird sanctuary (16.5 km)
Karnala bird sanctuary > Shri Parshuram Temple (199 km)
Shri Parshuram temple > Sangameshwar (60 km)
Sangameshwar > Lanja (61 km)
Lanja > Kankavli (88 km)
Kankavli > Banda (66.5 km)
Banda > Maharashtra – Goa border (4.5 km)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Palaspa Phata, Panvel to Goa via NH4 Distance by Road and Driving Directions
Palaspa Phata, Panvel to Goa via NH4 is 540.6 km approx.
20 km smooth drive, a board indicating Matheran – Hill Station turn left. Maybe someday. Continue driving straight…
Palaspa Fata, Panvel > Khopoli (34 km)
Khopoli > Shingroba Mandir (6 km)
Shingroba Mandir > Mumbai – Pune Expressway (2 km)
Mumbai – Pune Expressway > Lonavala city turn left (5.5 km)
Bikers had a few km of driving experience at Expressway but only a few km. Traffic police post after a few km direct you to turn motorbike towards Lonavala city. Bikers are not allowed at Expressway further.
13.5 km drive (via Lonavala city) left-hand side road towards Karla Caves. I remember I visited with my mother. Continue driving straight…
Lonavala city left turn > Somati Phata (38.5 km)
A huge Ganpati statue on top of the hill.
Somati Phata > Nabard building, Pune turn right (28.5 km)
The Nabarad building is on the right-hand side.
Nabard building right turn > Swargate Chowk (4 km)
Turn right, cross the bridge, 2nd traffic red light – turn left.
Cross Swargate Chowk (roundabout). Drive straight towards Satara.
Swargate Chowk> National Highway 4 (13.5 km)
I am driving through Katraj Ghat i.e., Katraj Valley. Once again meeting National Highway 4.
National Highway 4 > Satara College Of Engineering & Management, Limb(83 km)
10 km drive another board indicating a right turn towards Mahabaleshwar – Hill Station. Continue driving straight…
Satara College Of Engineering & Management, Limb > Satara (14 km)
Satara > Siye Phata turn right (112 km)
Siye Phata is below the bridge very close to the Lokmat Newspaper office (right side of the Highway). A few more km further if driving will reach Kolhapur for sure.
Siye Phata right turn > Vading Chowk turn left (11.5)
11.5 km is a beautiful village route. Road condition Ok. It is the shortest route as guided by a villager.
Vading Chowk left turn > Vading Phata turn left (3 km)
Vading Phata left turn > Shivaji pul turn right (.5 km)
Cross the bridge. Take the right turn from the chowk.
Shivaji Pul right turn > Gangawish Chowk turn right (1.3 km)
We are passing through Kolhapur city-area
Gangawish chowk right turn > Rankalavesha chowk turn right (.3 km)
Rankalavesha Chowk right turn > Gaganpawda turn left (56 km)
I am driving through a silent road, with less traffic, a mini jungle, and in the end, clouds. Visibility is very low. Rainy season.
Gaganpawda ghat is a hilly green valley connecting National Highway 4 with National Highway 17 or one can say one of the road routes connecting Mumbai – Kolhapur – Goa.
It was a rainy season, I was driving a solo Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinsprak motorbike passing through clouds downwards towards National Highway 17. The route was almost empty, and the clouds thunder a little scary, but the drive was scenic. In a few places, due to dense clouds, and fog it was impossible to see further than 10 meters. I guess after the rainy season it is one of the best to drive, though I enjoyed it during the rainy season.
Gaganpawda left turn > Vaibhav Vadi chowk right turn (19 km)
Vaibhav Vadi Chowk right turn > Talere turn left (14.5)
Talere left turn is National Highway 17 (Mumbai – Goa).
Talere left turn > Kankavli (23 km)
Kankavli > Savantwadi (53 km)
Savantwadi > Goa border (17.5)
Note: Shri Datta Snacks Corner and Shri Dattaguru Snacks at Palaspe Phata, Panvel are famous for mouth-watering snacks.