Short road trips have their own charm—no rigid plans, just good roads, good company, and a destination that rewards you quietly. This one was exactly that.
Three of us—Manmohan, Labhesh, and me—set out on a short drive from Lonavala to Necklace Point in our Scorpio-N, chasing views and a break from routine.
The Start: Lonavala to Open Roads
We started our journey at 10:40 AM from Lonavala. As expected for a weekend, exiting Lonavala took a bit of patience. Traffic was dense, and it took some effort to finally break free from the tourist rush.
Once we merged onto the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, things immediately changed. Smooth tarmac, steady pace, and relaxed driving—made even more effortless thanks to the adaptive cruise control, which took the edge off highway cruising and let us enjoy the drive instead of constantly managing speed. From there, we continued via Pune, crossed Katraj Ghat, and passed the Khed Shivapur toll.
After that point, the journey became surprisingly swift. No traffic, no delays—just steady progress.
The Drive to Necklace Point
After leaving the Pune–Satara highway, the road to Necklace Point narrows down to a single-lane road. Despite that, the condition was good—no potholes, no broken patches—so the drive never felt compromised.
The scenery didn’t reveal itself on the way in. It was only after we parked by the roadside, got down, and walked a short distance that the view finally unfolded—suddenly and dramatically—revealing the iconic necklace-shaped curve of the river.
About Necklace Point, Bhor
Necklace Point is a lesser-known scenic viewpoint near Bhor, close to the Pune–Satara highway. It’s a A hillside viewpoint overlooking a dramatic horseshoe-shaped bend in the river Nira.The spot gets its name from the distinctive necklace-shaped curve formed by the river below, which becomes visible only when you walk to the edge of the viewpoint.
Unlike popular tourist-heavy points, Necklace Point is quiet and minimal—no stalls, no fences, no viewing decks. Just an open roadside stop and an uninterrupted view of the valley and river. Because of this, it’s best suited for short halts, photography, and calm observation rather than long stays.
There’s no dedicated parking, so vehicles are parked along the roadside. It’s advisable to be cautious, avoid blocking traffic, and keep the stop brief.
📍 Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wG7hPMRTqhcZjaRS8
Reaching Necklace Point: A View Worth the Drive
We reached Necklace Point at around 1:15 PM, and the view instantly made the drive feel worth it.
It’s a small stop right by the roadside, overlooking a beautiful curve of the river that forms a natural “necklace” shape. There’s no dedicated parking, so cars are parked along the roadside. It’s best to be quick and mindful—park, enjoy the view, click pictures, and move on.
The place doesn’t demand much time. 15–20 minutes is more than enough to soak in the view and click some memorable pictures—unless you’re a professional photographer planning to spend serious time capturing every angle.
The scenery was calm, expansive, and genuinely breathtaking.
Lunch Stop: Jagtap Mala
By the time we started heading back, it was already past lunch time. On the highway, we followed the signage and decided to try a new place—Jagtap Mala.
The restaurant is right on the highway with ample parking, making it very convenient. We chose the outdoor seating, which turned out to be a great decision. Cool breeze, open space, and a relaxed vibe made lunch even more enjoyable.
The seating area also had hammocks, which meant a short hammock break—something we didn’t know we needed after the drive.
📍 Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jYLMiVozhSmEJY4J7
The Food Experience
We went for a traditional vegetarian meal, and it did not disappoint:
- Bhakari
- Pithale
- Wangyache Bharit
- Indrayani Rice
- Dal
Simple, rustic, and full of flavor.
We also ordered Chicken Masala, but honestly, it leaned more towards a vegetarian-style taste. The vegetarian dishes were clearly the highlight.
Heading Back with Memories
With a satisfying lunch and a relaxed break, we headed back to Pune—car filled with jokes, laughter, and memories from yet another simple but meaningful road trip.
No rushing, no checklist—just good roads, good food, and good company. Sometimes, that’s all a trip needs.
Trips like these remind me that you don’t always need a long vacation. Sometimes, a short drive and the right people are enough to reset the mind and make the day memorable.
This blog post was reworded with the help of ChatGPT for clarity and structure. The experiences, thoughts, and emotions shared here are entirely my own.
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