Trekking in Maharashtra, India : 150 Forts
Trekking is an adventure sport which requires physical fitness, endurance, persistence and will power. Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles to see nature at its best. Be in the lap of God.
King Chhatrapati Shivaji (1627 - 1680) has more than 250 forts in his custody, one fourth of the total forts in India. Shivaji built 180 forts and renovated 49 old forts. These hill forts provide plenty of opportunities for trekking.
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Western ghats (Sahyadris) is 1700 km long major mountain range in India, runs from Tapi river near Surat in Gujrat to Kanya kumari in Tamil Nadu (Land's end / Cape comorin). It is well known for it's flora, fauna and mountain forts. The famous Ajanta - Ellora caves near Aurangabad is comparable with the entire rock sculptures of a country like France / Italy. Sahydris have numerous delightful routes, both easy and difficult for trekkers of all levels.
Aad (Igatpuri)
Ajinkyatara (Satara)
Ajoba (Bhandardara, Igatpuri)
Alang (Igatpuri)
Anjaneri (Trimbakeshwar)
Ankai Tankai (Manmad)
Arnala (Virar)
Avchitgad (Roha)
Avandh (Igatpuri)
Bhairavgad (Koyna)
Bhairavgad (Malshej)
Bhopatgad (Igatpuri)
Bhudargad (Budhya, Igatpuri)
Bitangad (Igatpuri)
Chandan (Satara)
Chanderi (Karjat)
Chandragad (Mahabaleshwar)
Chandwad (Manmad)
Chavand (Junnar)
Daultabad (Aurangabad)
Dev Dandya (Naneghat, Junnar)
Devgad (near Kudal)
Dhak Bhairi cave (Karjat)
Dhodap (Nashik)
Durga killa (Ahupe, Junnar)
Gambirgad (Dahanu, Konkan)
Gangangad (Kolhapur)
Ghanchakkar (Bhandardara, Igatpuri)
Ghodbander (Mumbai)
Ghargad (Igatpuri)
Gorakhgad (Mhasa, Karjat)
Gawilgad (Badnera, Amaravati)
Hadbi chi shendi pinnacle (Manmad)
Hadsar (Warode, Junnar)
Haji Malang (Kalyan)
Hanumantgad (Nashik)
Hargad (near Mulher, Nashik)
Harihar & Fani Dongar (Igatpuri)
Harishchandragad (Malsej)
Hatkeshwar (Junnar)
Hedruj (Lonavla)
Ikhara pinnacle (Nashik)
Indrai killa (Manmad)
Induri (Talegaon, Lonavla)
Irshalgad (Karjat)
Janjira (Murud)
Jaigarh (Ratnagiri)
Jawlya (Nashik)
Jhungti killa (Koynanagar, Chiplun)
Jivdhan (Ghatghar, Junnar)
Jungli Jaigad (Koynanagar, Chiplun)
Jyotiba (Kolhapur)
Kalsubai (1646 m, highest peak in the Sahyadris, Igatpuri)
Kamalgad (Mahabaleshwar)
Kanchana (Nashik)
Karnala (Panvel)
Kathra (Igatpuri)
Kavnai (Igatpuri)
Kawlya (Bhor, Pune)
Kenjalgad (Wai)
Khanderi (Alibaug)
Kohoj (Manor, Konkan)
Koldher (Chandwad)
Koregad (Lonavla)
Korlai (Roha)
Kothligad (Peth fort, Karjat)
Kulaba (Alibaug)
Kulang (Igatpuri)
Lohagad (Lonavla)
Machindragad (Mhasa, Karjat)
Madangad (Igatpuri)
Mahimantgad (Chandel, Kolhapur)
Mahipat (Mahabaleshwar)
Mahuli (Igatpuri)
Makrandgad (Mahabaleshwar)
Maldev (near Vasota, Koyna)
Manikgad (Panvel)
Mangi Tungi (Nashik)
Manohargad (Sawantwadi)
Mansanthoshgad (Sawantwadi)
Moradi pinnacle (Lonavla)
Muda (Igatpuri)
Mulher (Nashik)
150 hill forts of Maharashtra
Padar killa (Karjat)
Palasdari (Karjat)
Padmadurg (Murud)
Pandavgad (Wai)
Panhalgad (Kolhapur)
Patta (Igatpuri)
Pavan khind (Kolhapur)
Peb (Karjat)
Peth (Karjat)
Prabalgad (Karjat)
Prachitagad (Satara)
Pratapgad (Mahabaleshwar)
Purnadar (Saswad, Pune)
Raigad (Mahad, Konkan)
Raireshwar (Bhor)
Rajdher (Manmad)
Rajgad (Welhe, Pune)
Rajmachi (Lonavla)
Rangana (near Kudal, Amboli)
Rasalagad (Mahabaleshwar)
Ratangad (Bhandardara, Igatpuri)
Ratnagiri (Mulshi, Lonavla)
Ravdanda (Roha)
Rawlya (Vani, Nashik)
Sade Teen (Chandwad, Nashik)
Sagargad (Alibaug)
Sajjangad (Parali, Satara)
Salher (1567 m, Nashik)
Salota (Nashik)
Sankshi (Pen)
Saptashringi (Vani, Nashik)
Santoshgad (Koyna, Mahabaleshwar)
Sarasgad (Pali, Lonavla)
Shaniwarwada (Pune)
Shindi (near Vasota, Khed)
Shivneri (Junnar)
Siddhagad (Mhasa, Karjat)
Sindhudurg (Kudal, Konkan)
Sinhgad (Pune)
Sudhagad (Pali, Lonavla)
Sumargad (Mahabaleshwar)
Suvarnadurg (Khed near Chiplun)
Tak Mak (Manor, Knkan)
Taula Achala peaks (Vani, Nashik)
Tel Baila (Lonavla)
Terekhol (Goa border, Sawantwadi)
Tikona (Lonavla)
Torna (Pune)
Tringalwadi (Igatpuri)
Tung (Lonavla)
Underi (Alibaug)
Utwad (Trimbak, Nashik)
Vajragad (Saswad, Pune)
Vandan (Satara)
Varlya - Tillin (Junnar)
Vasai (Mumbai)
Vasota (Bambanoli, Satara)
Vichitragad (Bhor, Pune)
Vijaydurg (Rajapur, Konkan)
Visapur (Lonavla)
Vishalgad (Kolhapur)
Wakri (Bhandardara, Igatpuri)
Trekker's delight : Gorakhgad (Mhasa, Karjat), Harihar (Igatpuri), Harishchandragad (Malsej), Jivdhan (Ghatghar, Junnar), Tung (Lonavla), Vasota (Bambanoli, Satara).
Must see forts : Vasai (Mumbai), Rajmachi (Lonavla), Lohagad (Lonavla), Sinhgad (Pune), Rajgad (Welhe, Pune), Kulaba (Island fort, Alibaug), Ravdanda (Roha), Janjira (Island fort, Murud), Raigad (Mahad, Konkan), Shivneri (Junnar), Daultabad (Aurangabad), .
My 51 st fort trek in Maharashtra
I started trekking 6 years back at Lohagad fort near Lonavla. It was a long, enjoying, strenous trekking career. On 10 th June 2007, I was lucky to complete my 50th trek of Ankai fort near Manmad. The forts I trekked is given in the above post in brick red color.Trekking test one's courage. When done with responsibility, it is not as dangerous as many people think.
If I should bow my head let it be to a high mountain" - (Maori proverb)
Trek routes >> rock climb
Essential items for trek : Water proof rucksack, sleeping bag, foamed mattress, walking boots, Hunter shoes, raincoat, torch, batteries, flask, lighter, candle, cap, knife, clothes, tooth brush, paste, blanket, towel, woolen socks, gloves, cooking utensils, mug, plate, spoon, goggles, soap, map, travel info./itinerary, tent, heavy woolens, bottled water, ice axe, camera, film, cash, alarm clock, ATM/credit cards.
Food : Biscuits, bread, jam, dry fruits, fruits, fruit juice, chhapati, cakes, butter, sweets, glucose, boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, curd, condensed milk, soup, ghee, honey etc.
Medicine : Medicine for stomach ache, head ache, vomiting, diarrhea, band aid, dehydration (Electral solution), water purifying tablets.
Dev Dandya (1295 m), Junnar
From Junnar (90 km from Pune) travel to Ajnawle (24 km). From here one can climb this hill easily. The hill is identified by a small pinnacle like projection at one end. Climb through the gully at the other end to top. An excellent view of Bhairavgad fort on the west, in the Konkan (Malsej).
Trek takes 3 hour. Ajnawle bus from Junnar at 1230 h reaching Ajnawle at 1430 h - road in bad condition. Last bus from Ajnawle to Junnar is at 1700 h. One can stay in the temple at the village. Winter is chilly. Ghatghar (4 km before Ajnawle, Naneghat). Lying on the ridge on the ghats, to the west of Nimagiri, is the hill of Dev Dandya, a trek which could be combined with the former.
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Shivneri fort (1018 m), Junnar
The fortress was the birth place of Shivaji (1627 - 1680), the great Maratha warrior king. The fort is 3 km from Junnar (90 km from Pune). It has a huge arch at the entrance and well preserved fortifications. The route to top leads via series of entrances. The gates in the fort increases the security. It rises from a three cornered base of about 250 m from the plains and looks over the town of Junnar. Its long and wavy ridge is marked for miles around by an arch, which stands out against the sky between the minarets of a mosque.
On top one can see an Idgah with dome. Lower on the ridge, a memorial to Shivaji, a mosque, water tanks, caves filled with water, Shiv mandir (temple), foundation of the ruined palace, Shivaji's cradle, a buruj - from where condemned prisoners were thrown. From the water tank near the mosque one can climb down to Junnar via an interesting shortcut. After 15 min walk, an exposed rock cut steps (3 m) has to be covered. There one can see 4 - 5 caves, which are visible even from the ST stand. The track climb down to reach the main road. To and fro trek take s 2 hour.
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Jivdhan fort (1145 m) & Nane ghat, Junnar
The fort is at Ghatghar with a prominent isolated pillar of 60 m high, known as Vanar lingi. The fort walls near the pillar drop a sheer 1000 m into the Konkan. The path to top of fort is blown off, but has many foot and finger holds artificially made. Top has five water cisterns, some Mohammedan constructions and a commanding view.
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Nane ghat (830 m) : This sheer cliff is a well known landmark, very clearly visible from the Konkan. The walls of this pass jut out from the main range and hence command a magnificent view of the great bend in the Sahyadris. To the north one can see Kalsubai, to the south Bhimashankar, to the north east is Harichandragad, shattered pinnacles of Konkan. The great comb like rock of Chanderi and the pinnacles of Haji Malang are also visible.
This is a pass, which, once in history, enjoyed prime importance. At Nane ghat the inscriptions, the steps, the rock cut rest houses and the cisterns show that as far back as 1st century BC, this route was frequently used. Even now, it carries heavy trade traffic. From Ghar ghar, an unmettaled road leads to Nane ghat pass (6 km, one hour by walk). Nice views of Jivdhan fort and Vanar lingi (recently climbed by rock climbers). From Nane ghat one can climb down to Vaishakhare on Malshej road (14 km).
Location : Junnar is 90 km from Pune. Ghatghar is 23 km from Junnar on the Ajnawle road.
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Koregad fort (929 m), Lonavala
The fort is at Ambavne, 24 km from Lonavla is in Pune district. ST buses and jeeps connect the base of the fort. The trek is easy and well defined.
From Ambavne village one can approach the right side of the fort where there is a depression. A track climb steeply via a small forest to top. Get down one km before Ambavne at Peth shahpur and follow the good track on left of the road to fort's base. From here regular cemented steps leads to top. An easy walk takes one to the huge hill top (more than one km long). Just before the fort's entrance, cave cum water tanks and a temple is located. A few more steps leads to the fort's main entrance.
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On top, there are 3 temples and 4 big water ponds, 4 cannons, 3 cave cum water tanks, buildings in ruins etc. can be seen. From one end of the fort, nice views of neighboring hill ranges, Mulshi and other lakes, Sahara Amby valley city, Runway of Sahara air terminal etc. Fort has one more entrance and is less used except by devout trekkers and villagers.
Mulshi lake
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Climbing down through this route over scree and boulders via steep route. The trek takes 2 hour.
It is said that when the fort was deserted in 1818, the temple ornaments were handed over to Mumbadevi, the goddess of Mumbai. There is an old mortar gun on the top. When Col. Prother of the British forces advances against Koregad on 14th March 1818 this gun was loaded and ready to be fired against the British forces. But the gun charge from the gun blew up the magazine, ruined the gateway and burnt several houses in the fort itself. The fort surrendered immediately.
Peb fort (474 m), Matheran
Peb is a small hill fort adjoining Matheran, which is popular with hikers and a day long hikings in rains. From Neral station follow the road via taxi stand to main road (Hotel Divya Deep). Appraoch the base of the fort by following a cart road leading to a village near a paultry farm (3 km). Approach the transmission tower on a hill and a track climbs up to a higher plateau. Further a small track climbs gradually to a saddle. The left track on the sharp ridge takes one to a one metre high boulder fitted with a rope (easy climb). The traverse leads to two caves at the base of the fort and to an iron ladder (7 metre high, fitted). On top there is a water tank and steps. If one is adventure loving, he can follow the steep route to top via steps. The top can be reached by a 10 m easy climb with the help of an iron rope fitted permanently.
The top has Datta paduka mandir/temple and a more than 10 m long saffron flag with 'ohm' on it.Top is barren and is narrow with a water tank near by. From top, there is an easy way on the ridge towards Matheran. On the way there is a Swami ashram where is one can stay a night if desired. Swami has a domesticated dog and having other modern facilities. From Kotwal buruj (fortification with a flag near Matheran), an exposed route leads on to the railway line on Matheran under Panorama point, a water tank, a cave, another vantage points are near by.
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Location : Near Matheran / Neral on Mumbai - Karjat/Pune train route. The to and fro trek takes 4.5 hour from Neral. If one is having two wheeler the base village near the poultry farm is accessible by cart road.
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