5 Secret Motorcycle Routes From Goa That Feel Like A Bollywood Movie

India.com

07-08-2025

Not Just Baga and Palolem – Let Your Wheels Roar Beyond the Beaches
There's a Goa beyond beach shacks and sunburnt crowds.A Goa where roads curl like smoke through jungles, where rivers don't just flow – they whisper. Where silence rides pillion and freedom tastes like red dust, salt, and sweat.
And the best way to discover this Goa?Not with sunscreen and a cocktail. But with a helmet, a full tank, and a road that disappears into the unknown.
So park that beer plan.Here's your weekend ride into wildness, soul-first.
What Makes Goa's Weekend Rides So Special?
It's not just the routes. It's the rhythm.
Unlike the choked highways of bigger metros or the flat monotony of long plains, Goa offers ever-changing terrain: one minute you're cruising past coconut groves, the next you're hugging cliffs that drop into the Arabian Sea. Every bend has a story, every village a scent.
It's where Portuguese ruins meet Konkan forests.Where spice plantations spill secrets to passing riders.Where motorbikes aren't just transport — they're time machines.
This isn't just a trip. It's an untamed poem on two wheels.
1. Goa to Chorla Ghat – A Ride into Emerald Silence
Distance: ~60 km | Route: Goa – Sanquelim – Chorla Ghat
This is not a road. It's a meditation.
As soon as you leave the bustle of Panjim and Mapusa behind, the road begins to wind. Slowly. Then suddenly. Till the trees thicken, and time slows. Chorla Ghat is a part of the Western Ghats, but unlike touristy Amboli, it remains whisper-quiet.
Why ride here?
Hairpin bends carved through forest canopies.
Valleys where the fog sleeps even in summer.
A stop at Sahydari Spice Farm for hot lunch and local stories.
No loud dhabas. No hoardings. Just green, and the low hum of your engine.This ride teaches you to listen.
2. Goa to Gokarna – Because Beaches Should Come with Cliffs
Distance: ~145 km | Route: Goa – Karwar – Ankola – Gokarna
If Goa is your playground, Gokarna is the secret garden behind it. Start early. Let the morning sun follow you down NH-66, and before long, the road opens to Karwar's glassy coastline. Stop here for fresh seafood and peace before heading further south.
Then comes the magic.Cliff roads. Coconut-dotted trails. Beaches that feel like they've been waiting just for you.
Pit Stops:
Om Beach for its iconic shape and serenity.
Kudle Beach for sunset chai by the rocks.
Mirjan Fort – crumbling, moss-covered, and perfect for moody portraits.
This isn't a destination. It's a slowdown.
3. Goa to Amboli – Where Mountains Greet the Sky
Distance: ~100 km | Route: Goa – Banda – Sawantwadi – Amboli
This ride isn't wild. It's cinematic.
Take the road less taken from North Goa and glide through Sawantwadi's sleepy charm. The climb to Amboli is where your gears start dancing. Sharp turns. Valley views. And air that smells like eucalyptus and freedom.
What's special?
Hiranyakeshi Temple, hidden inside a cave beside a river source.
Old British-era viewpoints with mist rolling below.
Local vada-pav stalls that taste like nostalgia.
Amboli isn't just high in altitude — it lifts your spirit too.
4. Goa to Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary – The Jungle Beckons
Distance: ~80 km | Route: Goa – Margao – Sanguem – Netravali
Ready to trade sea breeze for bird calls? Head inland from South Goa, past Sanguem's sleepy towns, into the heart of Netravali – a sanctuary that hums with life. The roads are narrower, yes. But every curve takes you deeper into green.
Don't miss:
The Bubbling Lake (Budbud Tali), where the water never stays still.
Butterfly sightings, hornbill calls, and untouched trails.
Homestay experiences where life moves with the sun.
This ride isn't for speed. It's for softness.
5. Goa to Dandeli – Adventure Meets Forest Majesty
Distance: ~140 km | Route: Goa – Mollem – Anmod – Dandeli
For those who want their rides wild and a little reckless. Past Mollem, the road gets rugged, the terrain shifts. The Anmod Ghat stretch is known to test both rider and bike — steep climbs, narrow paths, and sweeping forest views.
And then: Dandeli – Karnataka's adventure capital.
Things to do post-ride:
River rafting in Kali River's fierce currents.
Kayaking through forested waters.
Staying in treehouse lodges under star-drenched skies.
This isn't just a getaway. It's your pulse, recharged.
But Isn't Riding in Goa Just About Rentals and Beach Bars?
Absolutely not.
The real joy of motorcycle travel in Goa lies outside tourist zones. It's in watching locals wave as you pass their fields. In sipping black jaggery tea at roadside stalls. In not knowing where the next turn leads — and loving it.
Here's what these rides give you that a taxi never will:
Freedom: No fixed stops. Pause where your heart tells you.
Connection: With nature, with people, with yourself.
Joy: That quiet, unfiltered kind that comes when your head is clear and the horizon is wide.
Ride Ready? A Few Practical Tips
Gear Up, AlwaysGoa may be chill, but your ride shouldn't be. Helmet, gloves, ankle-covering shoes — non-negotiable.
Fuel Up Before the ForestRemote routes = fewer pumps. Start full. Carry spare if needed.
Offline Maps Save LivesSignal drops. Let Google Maps breathe. Download routes before you leave.
Start Early, End SlowSunsets are beautiful, but riding post-dusk in forest areas? Risky. Time your return.
Respect the SilenceNature isn't a DJ. Let your engine do the talking, and turn off the speakers.
Why This Matters
Every time you choose a lesser-known road:
You uplift local chai stalls and small guesthouses.
You reduce over-tourism in crowded beach belts.
You protect these routes by giving them value – just by riding through.
Your bike isn't just leaving tracks.It's leaving respect.
Final Thought
Don't just visit Goa—ride through it and feel the freedom of the open road. Let the wind, the curves, and the quiet moments between nature speak to your soul. This journey isn't about likes or views—it's about finding yourself in the ride. Just for the love of it. Just for you.