Pune to Ratnagiri via Ganpatipule by Bike

      While surfing over internet I never found a proper information for a bike ride from Pune to Ganpatipule or Ratnagiri, either no one ever tried it or none paid the heed to share their information. Being back from the same, I decided to just put a small guide for the information I attained during my journey.

           As far as routes are concerned there are N number routes to reach Ganpatipule/Ratnagiri from Pune, where each of these routes joins Mumbai – Goa highway at some or the other point. So, the major choice is to decide through which part you would be crossing the valley to be on NH4 and move onward.

          Below I would be sharing information about the 4 tested routes, which shorten up the distance and are pleasure to drive.

                 Route 1 – Pune – Mahad – Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri

Pune – Shirwal (Turn Towards Bhor)-Bhor – Mahad – NH4 –Khed – Chiplun – 3 Kms After Sangameshwar Railway station (Before a Small Bridge) Turn Left – Follow Asurde Dingani Road to Chafe – From Chafe Turn Right for Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri

The left turn at Sangameshwar saves about 22kms, the roads are ok with few patches, better for a two wheeler drive. Make sure you frequently consult the villagers regarding the turns, even when Google navigates it perfectly. 

The Pune – Mahad route is the least enjoyable of all the routes I would be describing with no large valleys, but it is good in terms of frequent traffic which does not hurdle up your speed but ensure safety.

               Route 2 – Pune – Paud – Mangaon – Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri

     Pune – Paud Road – Mulshi Dam – Mangaon – Mahad– NH4 –Khed – Chiplun – 3 Kms After Sangameshwar Railway station (Before a Small Bridge) Turn Left – Follow Asurde Dingani Road to Chafe – From Chafe Turn Right for Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri

LAVASA CITY

Route 2 is one of the most beautiful routes on this particular trip if travelled during rainy season, the only disadvantage is its too deserted even during day. 

     The Paud road throughout until Mangaon is full of blobs which actually block your vision from nature to tar on road. 

    If on schedule you can spare few hours for LAVASA CITY, or could just turn your ride to see the beautiful Mulshi Dam. Where Lavasa may take some time, due to its large size and several entertaining factors, Mulshi could be covered in an hour or two max. 

This is a suggested route during monsoon, but make sure you are traveling in a group or have proper safety kits with you.

        Route 3 – Pune – Mahabaleshwar- Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri

Pune – Mahabaleshwar – Pratapghad – Poladpur - NH4 –Khed – Chiplun – 3 Kms After Sangameshwar Railway station (Before a Small Bridge) Turn Left – Follow Asurde Dingani Road to Chafe – From Chafe Turn Right for Ganpatipule – Ratnagiri 

MAHABALESHWAR

       

 One of the most commonly followed route by four wheeler drivers, this route takes you to one of the most famous hill station of Maharashtra (Mahabaleshwar), and then Pratapgarh fort. Mahabaleshwar itself being a tourist spot has more than 20 major points to be covered, which may consume your entire day, so plan it well. Pratapgarh Fort is beautiful and could be well covered in 2 hours time. 

             Where these 2 major tourist points increases the gravity of this route, what it brings is increase in number of Valleys (or Ghats) which take lot of time to be covered & due to high on tourist sometime one may be stuck in traffic jams for hours. 

 

            So, if one is planning to move through this route it’s suggested to leave the city early and try to reach Mahabaleshwar by sunrise, the route is completely safe and the distance could be well covered on Pune – Bangalore highway at good speed.

PS: Mahabaleshwar & Pratapgarh gets really hot during summer, which may bring tiredness. So plan well.

              Route 4 – Pune – Koyna Dam - Ganpatipule- Ratnagiri

Pune – Satara – Turn before Umbraj on Umbraj Patan Road to Chiplun – Koyna Nagar (Koyna Dam) – Chiplun - 3 Kms After Sangameshwar Railway station (Before a Small Bridge) Turn Left – Follow Asurde Dingani Road to Chafe – From Chafe Turn Right for Ganpatipule – Ratnagiri 

KOYNA DAM

              This route takes you to Maharashtra largest dam on the Shivsagar Lake, the Koyna dam. While moving from Umbraj to Chiplun a change in route of 4 kms take you to Koyna Dam which is worth the fuel and time. Of all the routes this one had the best roads since last visited, with very few patches on Umraj – Patan Road. The Khumbhrali Ghat after Koyna is one of the most beautiful Ghats on the routes. 

If you are following Google Navigation do not turn left after Khumbhrali Ghat before Chiplun for a shortcut, the road is a dead end. Travel all the way to Chiplun and then follow the Mumbai – Goa Highway .

Of all the, Route 4 takes the shortest time to reach the destination.

               In all the routes I have suggested to visit Ratnagiri via Ganpatipule whereas your map or device may suggest you some other routes. The reason very obvious is Ratnagiri – Ganpatipule is a 20kms run, on the coastal line of the district, where you drive with beach on your one side. It’s beautiful and a surely a must have experience of life.

There are several other routes which divert through various other places, but had not been tested over the time. And any help & suggestion for such routes and trips would be most welcomed. 

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