About Monsoon bike ride: Raigad fort reserve
The weekend was here, and I had no plans. I could do one of the usual things like heading out for a drink, watching a movie, shop at the mall.
I did not feel like doing any of it. It was the Monsoons so I knew the usual tourist hotbeds of Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala would be filled with people. I needed an outdoor activity, which left me with only one hobby I like to do on any day: Bike ride!
Picking a location
My typical search for a one-day bike ride starts with looking at google maps and scouting for a location that has mountains, waterfalls, dams, ghats, forests, lakes. Scrolling, zooming in and out of google maps I found Raigad forest reserve. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, fewer travelers. Ah yes, all the ingredients for a great one-day bike ride!
The route
Since it was a one-day ride, I decided to take a route that allowed me to enter the reserve from one side and exit from another bringing me back to Pune. I have done parts of both roads but never the entire circle.
I have mentioned the route if anyone plans to take it.
Pune (Baner) – Chandni Chowk (Exit from Banglore highway) – Mulshi – Tamhini Ghat – Nizampur- Pachad – Mahad – Varandh Ghat – Bhor (Exit from Kapurhol) – Pune
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Link to the route: https://goo.gl/maps/Ntxv6LbenvHvGCJh6
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Time to ride: 8 hours
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Total Distance: 284KM
The ride
I got up, time on the clock: 9 am, which meant I was late to start. Geared up, grabbed the keys, and hit the road. Once I took the exit from Chandni chowk towards Mulshi, there was considerable traffic accompanied by patches of bad roads. After some responsible riding and seeing no one else was following the rule of the land, I decided to use my Himalayan’s off-roading capabilities which meant not caring for any pothole that was in my path, overtaking from the dirt path when there was traffic.
When I reached Mulshi, I saw cars parked all along on both sides of the road and people walking on the roads as if it was a garden. I can tell you firsthand we Indians lose all common sense when its monsoon. Sitting under any waterfalls, blasting music from your car, sleeping on the road, and taking pictures. All I could contemplate at the time was having a monster truck instead of my Himalayan to do some cleaning!
After crossing Mulshi, the number of tourists reduced, and I had Tamhini ghat to enjoy. Road quality improves from here on. Mountains on the left side flanked by the Mulshi lake on the right side. There are a few curved roads that make riding enjoyable.
Once I descended from Tamhini ghat, I took the MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development corporation) route and continued till Nizampur. Took the exit from Nizampur towards Pachad. This route welcomed me with streams, green plains, waterfalls, and intense fog. Visibility dropped so much I had to wear the hazard vest.
I did not intend to visit Raigad fort due to lack of time so once I reached the base village asked around for accommodation and other attractions. A local told me I could either opt for home-stays, small lodges as well as an official lodging facility run by the Raigad ropeway organization located at the base of the village.
There are 2 ways to reach Raigad Fort, one by taking the 1,737 steps and the other through a ropeway. A return ticket for the ropeway is priced at ₹315 for an Adult.
After having a cup of tea and some vada-pav, I continued towards Mahad and from there towards Varandh ghat. Once you reach Varandh ghat, the entire other side of Raigad fort reserve mountains can be seen. I had already been here once but not at the peak of Monsoon. It turned out to be even more beautiful this time around!
I saw several waterfalls gushing down the mountains, intense greenery and thick cloud of fog passing by. I had some chai and Kanda bhaji from the local vendors, taking in the great view while being drenched in the rains!
I checked the time at the point and it was 6PM so I had to cover the remaining route in the dark. I am not a fan of riding at night since the probability of any untoward incident increases at this time.
Hopped on the saddle and went in full riding mode, which meant no stops and a ride straight till I reach home. By the time I reached home, I was soaked in rain, cold and hungry, didn’t matter! All I could think was the forest ranges, greenery, waterfalls and passing fog I had experienced at Varandh Ghat. All the things I live for!
Places to stop on this route:
If you plan on doing this circuit, I will recommend to start early morning as that gives ample time to visit Raigad fort and a couple of other spots I had to give a miss. Here is the list-
3. Varandh ghat
