From Mumbai, there are two ways to get to Mahabaleshwar, the popular hill station perched 4,500 feet high in the Western Ghats. The preferred route for most holiday goers is via Pune which, though longer, is an easier drive because the road is a smooth dual carriageway for most of the way. You don’t have the stress of overtaking on a single lane road and dodging oncoming traffic, unlike the other way up to Mahabaleshwar, which is via the Goa highway or NH17. Also, this coastal road is pretty narrow and there are no proper amenities for you to take a break along the way.

But for anyone who loves to drive, NH17 rewards you with undulating terrain that cuts through the picturesque Konkan countryside. The highlight of this scenic route is the last 40km, which is a dash up the Ambenali Ghat after branching off the highway at Poladpur.