Captains Log; Star Date 29082009
Malshej Ghat – nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghats, dons a green hue during the monsoons.
The usual route from Mumbai is NH 3 up to Bhivandi and then on to Murbad and Malshej ghat on the NH 222 that runs from Kalyan to Ahmednagar.
From Navi Mumbai we decide to recon the route from Shilphata > Ambernath > Badlapur > Barvi Dam > Murbad > Nane Ghat > Malshej Ghat.
The route from Badlapur to Murbad via the Barvi Dam is superb. A narrow well mettled road running through a forest and offering a glimpse of the reservoir behind the Barvi Dam. The road climbs, falls, twists and turns till it hits the NH 222 at Murbad. Traffic on this route is sparse, but you need to watch out for that occasional vehicle that looms up fast.
Murbad to Malshej via the Nane Ghat is again fantastic – lined with paddy fields and saal trees. The last 5-6 Km of the route was shrouded with thick fog. The tunnel at Malshej with a jagged surface is wow! Don’t bother to count the number of waterfalls and don’t miss the sweet and juicy corn on the cob just after the tunnel.
In the thick fog, we just about manage to see the MTDC board and the cemented road leading to the resort. The resort is pretty well located on a small plateau, short of a cliff, the facilities offered are pretty ok, though I think I’d carry my own bedding.
An owlet month:
About 4 km ahead is Su-Shant Resort which has the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam as its back yard. The stack of liquor bottles on display at the dinning area immediately turns us off.
The lake and the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam in the background:
I guess a future endeavor should include a night stay at MTDC, a long walk on the road along the Pimpalgaon lake combined with some bird watching and may be a drive over the Pimpalgaon Dam up to Harishchandragad.
Time & Distance:
Malshej Ghat – nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghats, dons a green hue during the monsoons.
The usual route from Mumbai is NH 3 up to Bhivandi and then on to Murbad and Malshej ghat on the NH 222 that runs from Kalyan to Ahmednagar.
From Navi Mumbai we decide to recon the route from Shilphata > Ambernath > Badlapur > Barvi Dam > Murbad > Nane Ghat > Malshej Ghat.
The route from Badlapur to Murbad via the Barvi Dam is superb. A narrow well mettled road running through a forest and offering a glimpse of the reservoir behind the Barvi Dam. The road climbs, falls, twists and turns till it hits the NH 222 at Murbad. Traffic on this route is sparse, but you need to watch out for that occasional vehicle that looms up fast.
Murbad to Malshej via the Nane Ghat is again fantastic – lined with paddy fields and saal trees. The last 5-6 Km of the route was shrouded with thick fog. The tunnel at Malshej with a jagged surface is wow! Don’t bother to count the number of waterfalls and don’t miss the sweet and juicy corn on the cob just after the tunnel.
In the thick fog, we just about manage to see the MTDC board and the cemented road leading to the resort. The resort is pretty well located on a small plateau, short of a cliff, the facilities offered are pretty ok, though I think I’d carry my own bedding.
An owlet month:
About 4 km ahead is Su-Shant Resort which has the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam as its back yard. The stack of liquor bottles on display at the dinning area immediately turns us off.
The lake and the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam in the background:
I guess a future endeavor should include a night stay at MTDC, a long walk on the road along the Pimpalgaon lake combined with some bird watching and may be a drive over the Pimpalgaon Dam up to Harishchandragad.
Time & Distance:
