Bike Lovers

Our life is not in our control and it is as though the city life has engulfed us into doing things which are very redundant and stressful in nature. The part of our soul which seeks freedom is always asking us to break the shackles of life, abandon our current life, to move to places which we think are beyond our reach. As we hear the dialogue again and again that “we are running short of time” same is the scenario every common man faces in Mumbai.

Mumbai is a city of dream but the dream is not fulfilled if you haven't been for a vacation or took a ride to tourist locations which are connected to Mumbai. It is our inbuilt desire to move to places which we think would give us some identity and a sense of being alive. Hence to release ourselves and enjoy the moments we need to take the shortest break possible which will seem to us as a vacation. Also take notice that planning a trip in Summer seasons is not suggested at all as bike has very less protection against the Sun and the destinations are pretty dry during this period.

Before we begin we should be wary about certain things which is very crucial for our safety:

• Helmets for both - rider and pillion.
• Shoes for both. Offers better protection.
• General complete bike check up along with tyres, oil, brakes, lights...etc
• Plan your route and check the possible halting places or maybe call your friend who has taken the same route you plan to take.
• Follow the traffic rules and maintain constant speed.
• Avoid riding a bike at night during long rides. It's dangerous.

1. Mumbai to Lonavala/ Khandala on Bike

Not a soul exists in Mumbai, who hasn’t heard of these beautiful twin cities. Though the Mumbai–Pune Expressway route is an amazing experience in itself, two-wheelers are not allowed on this route. For bike-riders, Old Mumbai–Pune highway is the route. These open roads are still in great shape and have little traffic to worry about. Khandala is only 5 km away from Lonavala and houses a number of historic forts, deep valleys, lakes and waterfalls.

Time: 1 hour 55 minutes via Old Mumbai Pune Highway

Distance: 85 km to 120 km

Attractions: Trekking, camping, waterfall rappelling, and farm tours; visit Korigad Fort, Tiger’s Leap, Lohgad, Karla and Bhaja caves, Lonavala wax museum, and Duke’s nose.

Tip: Visit after the first rainfall of monsoon; the beauty of the Western Ghats is at its prime. Also Located Nearby: 15 km trek from Lonavala leads you to the beautiful Rajmachi fort.

2. Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar on Bike

Mumbaikars love travelling to Mahabaleshwar and it is easy to see why. If you plan on setting out on an unforgettable road trip in Maharashtra with someone special, this is the one you should go on. The Mumbai–Mahabaleshwar bike ride is the longest one in the list. But its amazing views make up for the long ride. The ride, which also includes the Golden Quadrilateral road, is a smooth and easy one, barring the last 50 km climb up the hill.

Time: 5 hours 23 minutes via NH 66

Distance: 248 km to 280 km

Attractions: Wilson Sunrise Point, Needle Hole Point, boating in Venna Lake, markets of strawberries and mulberries, and Three Monkey Point

Tip: Those planning to rent out a hotel room, make sure to book a room facing the Venna Lake for a panoramic view of the green cover. Also Located Nearby: Located only 18 km from this place is Panchgani where you can even try paragliding. Kaas Plateau of Flowers, which is just a short drive away from Mahabaleshwar.

3. Mumbai to Alibaug on Bike

If you are looking to take a short road trip, drive to Alibaug. You will have to drive through the Mumbai-Goa highway to get to this scenic beach destination. Alibaug is a pretty crowded destination on the Mumbai–Goa highway. Though it is frequently visited by couples for spending some romantic time at the beach, it is also a great place to travel to on a bike. Extending shores, lovely beach, and the magnificent view of Kolaba fort add to the pleasure of bike riders.

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes via MH SH 104

Distance: 92 km to 130 km

Attractions: Alibaug Beach, Kulaba Fort, Siddheshwar

Temple, Fairs in nearby towns of Awas and Varsoli

Tip: Best time to visit Alibaug is November to June

Also Located Nearby: For those who would love bird-watching, there is an alternate route via Sion-Panvel Expressway and Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Karnala also houses a stunning fort that you can either visit or have a view of en route Alibaug. You can also visit Nagaon beach near Alibaug

4. Mumbai to Kashid/ Murud on Bike

If you are looking for a secluded beach near Mumbai, Kashid is the place to be. Extend your Alibaug trip by another 34 km and you will reach this white sand beach. In addition to the good bike ride, the beach provides a scenic view and a relaxing experience. Another 40 km bike ride from Kashid will take you to Murud that also houses a fort in the sea.

Time: 3 hours 25 minutes via MH SH 104 (till Kashid)

Distance: 122 km to 140 km till Kashid, 156 km to 170 km till Marud

Attractions: Surfing, para-sailing, and camping at Kashid; visit Janjira Fort in Murud

Tip: It is suggested to get your own food as it is hard to get food beyond Alibaug, especially vegetarian food.

Also Located Nearby: Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is located 12 km from Kashid beach. Also, there is a beautiful dam in Phansad.

5. Mumbai to Matheran on Bike

Bikes or vehicles are not allowed in matheran beyond Dasturi check point, you need to park your bike at Dasturi after which you can choose to take a horse ride or a cart. There is another option to travel via Toy train depending on its working conditions. If you plan to spend a night in Matheran then you need to choose hotels near the market and remember the hotels are always full in Matheran better understand the situation as hotels on weekends and other holidays are full.

Time: 2 hours 20 minutes via Sion-Panvel Expressway and MH SH 79

Distance: 83 km to 110 km

Attractions: Stunning view of the Prabhal Fort from Louisa Point, Monkey Point, One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Porcupine Point, Panaroma Point, and Rambagh point

Tip: No private vehicles are allowed in this eco-sensitive zone and you will need horses or hand pulled rickshaws to reach Matheran. Else, you can always go for a short trek to Matheran.

6. Mumbai to Sula Vineyards on Bike

Located in the Nasik district of Maharashtra, ‘Sula Vineyards’ are famed for starting the first ever wineries in India. Today, these vineyards cater to more than 50 wineries and are spread over 1800 acres of land across Nashik and parts of Karnataka. One of the most unconventional tourist spots in the state, you can easily plan a day trip here and spend a leisurely time in the lap of nature. With a variety of grapes hanging on the vines and a marvellous extravaganza of flowering plants adding that touch of colour to the whole vine spread, you are sure to be left overwhelmed by the spectacular scenery in front of your eyes.

After a stroll around the vineyards, head for a tour around the winery to get an insight into the entire wine making process. Main highlight of the winery tour is off-course some wine-tasting where you get to know about the intricacies and etiquettes involved with this art of drinking.

Time: 3 hours 33 minutes via NH 3

Distance: 170 km to 200 km

Attractions: Wine tasting, grape stomping, wine fest

Tip: Check out for the calendar of the annual Sula Wine Fest held in the month of February each year. Needless to say, it makes February as the best month for this road trip near Mumbai.

Also Located Nearby: A 15 km detour from Khardi leads to the beautiful Vaitarna dam.

7. Mumbai to Malshej Ghat on Bike

Malshej Ghat is a beautiful mountain pass in the Western Ghats. Famous for its bounty of flora and fauna, it is also the home to several bird species including the cuckoos, the flamingos, and the quails. The destination, along with the route, serves as a perfect one for those who seek a short road trip from Mumbai.

Time: 3 hours 17 minutes via NH 3 and NH 22

Distance: 127 km to 140 km

Attractions: Striking waterfalls, lush green hillsides, fascinating rock formations, nature and bird watching

Tip: The destination attracts a lot of migratory birds during July to September and hence we recommend the tourists to visit the destination during these months.

Also Located Nearby: Located 40 km from the Malshej Ghat is the Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of the great Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

8. Mumbai to Igatpuri on Bike

Located in Nashik – the Wine Capital of India – in the Western Ghats, Igatpuri is a tiny hill station that presents a splendid view in the monsoon season. Time: 2 hours 50 minutes via NH 3

Distance: 120 km to 150 km

Attractions: Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre, Ghatandevi Temple, Bhandardara, Nashik

Tip: Try the fun treks, camping expeditions, zip lining, rappelling, and other adventure activities.

9. Mumbai to Kamshet on Bike

Coveted as ‘Paraglider’s Paradise’, Kamshet and a couple of neighboring cities offer tourists a wonderful experience of paragliding over picturesque fields of paddy and sunflower, and the Pawna Lake. The road trip from Mumbai to Kamshet is along the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and is an experience in itself. The hills surrounding the Kamshet village also house several caves, colonial hill stations, and hill fortresses.

Time: 2 hours 10 minutes via Mumbai – Pune Expressway

Distance: 102 km to 130 km

Attractions: Paragliding, Karla Caves, Bedsa Caves, the Bhaja Caves, Pawna Lake, and the Kondeshwar Temple

Tip: Do not miss visiting the green ambling hills, beautiful paddy, and sunflower fields.

Also Located Nearby: Located 20 km from Kamshet is the Kondeshwar Cliff where paragliding can be done from a height of 2200 feet. For low height thermal paragliding, one can visit Shelar, located 8 km from Kamshet. Lonavala is also only 16 km from Kamshet.