Trekking in Maharashtra, India : 150 Forts

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Kolhapur is famous for the Mahalakshmi temple and the old palace. The other tourist attractions are Chattrapati Sahu museum, Town hall museum, Binkhambi Ganesh temple and the Ronkala lake - temple. Khidrapur temple is 75 km away.

The Panhala fort (24 km) is 1 hour travel by bus from Kolhapur. A huge water reservoir - Narnala - is located on top.



Photo by www.shivchhatrapati.com

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Travel from Ratnagiri to Amba (60 km) via Sakhara. The 5 km Amba ghat - Amba road stretch is scenic. During the monsoon season, one can enjoy the beauty of forest, flora and fauna. A small road leads to the fort (20 km). A dargah and temple on top of the fort. Pavankhind is nearby.

Trek from Gajapur near Vishalgad fort to reach a huge plateau named Ghod Uddanadha Mal. A 5 km trek takes one to a 30 m deep gorge. A further 5 km trek via Dhangarwadi takes one to Dandhrepani (15 km from Malkapur). From where one can get bus to Kolhapur.

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Reach Mulher village from Taharabad (7 km). Good track leads to the top of Mulher and the trek takes 3 hour. Hargad can also be visited through a chor darwaza and a rocky staircase.

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Travel from Junnar to Godre (12 km) by ST bus. 4 km trek to the fort.

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Travel on the Mancher - Bhimashankar road to Ghodegaon (10 km). The route further goes via Dimbhe dam, Ambegaon and Ambe to Hatwij (66 km from Mancher).

Then trek to the Durga kila via Durgawadi (9 km). Durga Kila has dense forest surroundings and is an inconvenient fort.

Kuthe cha ghat, a fearsome route to Konkan, from Hatwij. It will be a great trekking experience and one can reach Sonavale near Dhasai reservoir.

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Situated 27 km from Alibaug on the Murud road near Chaul. The fort on top of a hill which is on the coast and across the Revdanda creek. A fairly large beautiful island with full of migratory birds can be seen during the low tide.

From the Alibaug - Murud raod, Korlai village is 2 km away. Within the fort are the mammoth palm groves and the top commands an excellent view of the Chaul and Revdanda creek. This was a former stronghold of the Portuguese and consists of two 1 km plus long walls separated by a distance of 30 to 40 meter (width).







From the main road walk towards the base of the fort. Right side route climbs up through Acacia trees to top. Left side road near the beach leads to a light house with a cannon. From there steps leads to the fort's entrance. The fort has 20 cannons, a tombstone dating 1646 AD by the Portuguese, a church in ruins, underground water tank, inscriptions on fort walls in Portuguese etc. The fort has 3 entrances and the trek takes 2 hour. The beach at the base of the fort is beautiful and having colourful stones. Nearest railway station is Pen on Mumbai - Goa Konkan route.

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Situated 24 km from Alibag on the Murud road near Chaul. The road passes through the Portuguese fort. Near the Rev Danda ST stand, a cannon and to gateways can be seen. It is a little Kerala with full of coconut trees & Beetalnut trees watered by canal system and nice beaches. The fort is thickly populated and majority of area is in private custody.

Inside the fort, road from Star hotel leads to St. Francis Zavier church (in ruins) and to a giant arch way and a huge multi storied tower (can be a church with two cannons lying down). A door way lead sto the beach from where one can enjoy the long fort walls of he fort. The fort has 7 gateways, some gates are used by private persons as their home's entry. A visit to the fort will be really enjoying. Nearest railway station is Pen on Mumbai - Goa Konkan route.



The Portuguese fort is thickly populated and majority of area is in private custody. It is a little Kerala with full of coconut trees & Beetalnut trees watered by canal system and nice beaches. A giant arch way and a huge multi storied tower (can be a church with two cannons lying down). A door way leads to the beach from where one can enjoy the long fort walls of he fort. The fort has 7 gateways, some gates are used by private persons as their home's entry.

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By 0900 am ST bus from Lonavla to Sahara, one can getdown at Aatwan phata (12 km). At Aatwan phata, on left one can see the Mulshi lake. Turn right to a depression and the small track climbs down to a lower plateau. Follow the water nullah (dried) right and take a long traverse of the steep rock wall to the base of Moradi peak. Then find a nullah which climbs down to Mangaon village. The trek takes 3 hour. Travel to Parali and then to Khopoli via six seater/ ST. From Khopoli one can travel to Mumbai.

Lonavla is a popular hill station located 120 km from Mumbai on the Pune highway. It is having nice climate and is well connected by road and rail. Lion's point/Tiger's leap is famous tourist spot 12 km from Lonavla. Many film songs are photographed here. (Pardes - Hindi film, I love my India song).



My friend Tulshi Shinde, Mangaon

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SINHAGAD FORT (1320 m) - From Swargate, Pune to Sinhagad base by bus (24 km). A well defined path leads to Pune darwaza of the fort (1 hour). A TV tower with lots of old construction can be seen on the top. The fort witnessed many battles during the Maratha period. In 1670 AD Tanaji won the fort for Shivaji. One can get down through the Kalyan Darwaza to Kalyan village and then to Kondhanpur. A motorable road reaches the upper plateau of the fort.

RAJGAD (1320 m) - It was the first capital of Shivaji for 25 years. From Swargate, travel to Gunjavne (30 km). A 2 hour trek through the ridge takes to the top. A steep rock face (Bale killa) climb is a thrilling experience. On top, the remenants of the Shivaji's palace can be seen. One can trek to Torna fort as it is connected via a ridge.

TORNA FORT (1403 m) - From Swargate travel to Welhe (35 km). Torna was the first fort captured by Shivaji at the age of 16. It is a 2 hour trek over the ridge. From the twin tower of Torna get down to the ridge for Rajgad. In a one day exhaustive trek one can visit Torna and Rajgad (7 km).





PURANDAR FORT (Wajrangad, 1309 m) : The twin fort having plenty of opportunities for rock climbing. From Swargate, Pune reach Saswad and then to the base of the fort by ST bus (37 km). Purnadar fort was mentioned in 1300 when Alauddin fortified it and it was with Nizam Shahis for a century. Aurangzeb's forces captured it in 1675 and it went back to the Marathas and finally to the British in 1776 with the 'Treaty of Purandhar'. On top there is a church in ruins and Bombay saphire camp, Keadreshewar temple etc with good views. If one is having a private vehicle, can reach the top plateau of the fort by road. Both forts can be covered by 5 hour trek.

KAMALGAD (1378 m) - From Kate's point of Mahabaleshwar get down to Nandgaon, cross the Krishna river to Partewadi and follow the route to the top. Or from Panchgani (Table land) descend to Chikhlun and to Asangaon and then to fort (7 km).

PRATAPGAD (1393 m) - Fort is 24 km from Mahabaleshwar and is famous because of Afzal Khan's tomb. To and fro takes 2 hour .

RAIGAD FORT (862 m) : This fort was the capital of Shivaji, with his coronation as Maharaja was held in the fort. From Mahad reach Pachad by bus. Regular steps (or a ropeway Rs 60) leads to the top. This popular fort has a dak bunglow and hotel are avaiIable for stay and food. The fort can be climbed from various routes. On top, lot of Shivaji's samadhi, thrown,construction (in ruins), seating statue of Shivaji, a memorial for Shivaji's dog, temple, market, palaces, water tanks etc can be seen. To and fro trek takes 3 hour. Nearby Lingana pinnacle (908 m) is a challenge for rock climbers.

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DUKE'S NOSE - Lonavla to Kuruvande by auto (5 km). 45 minute walk takes you to the top of Duke's nose. Rappeling down from here is a great fun as the rockface is steep. Kuruvande village is famous even from the time of Chatrapati Shivaji. On this hilly route Shivaji attacked his enemies and become victorious. 1.5 hour climb down takes you to Chavni village at Konkan. Travel to Umbre/Khopoli by Vikram/auto. Another route takes you to Phalyan, base village of Lion's point. Trek takes 2 hour (tower line) from Duke's nose. Return to Khopoli via Parali.

LION'S POINT trek - From Lion's point one will be attraced by the beauty of a sharp peak : Babita/Moradi hill. By Khopoli - Pali bus get down at Parali and travel to Mangaon by Vikram/auto. A 2.5 hour takes one to top. On the way 25 m rock wall has to be climbed. The final rock dome (15 m) is of rock climb. To and fro trek takes 5 hour. A guide from Mangaon/Phalyan is preferred.

AATWAN PHATA : Lion's point is 12 km from Lonavla and 2 km ahead is Aatwan phata, one can climb down to konkan. At Aatwan phata, on left one can see the Mulshi lake. Turn right to a depression and the small track climbs down to a lower plateau. Follow the water nullah (dried) right and take a long traverse of the steep rock wall to the base of Moradi peak. Then find a nullah which climbs down to Mangaon village. The trek takes 3 hour. Travel to Paraliand then to Khopoli via six seater/ ST. By 0900 am ST bus from Lonavla to Sahara, one can get down at Aatwan phata.

UMBER KHIND - From Lonavla reach Lion's point, a famous tourist spot, by bus/jeep. Just before the Lion's point one can see the transmission lines. Follow the water nullah (in dried condition during summer) near the tower line. The narrow and deep gorge climbs down to Mangaon (6 hour, rope is advised). From the village travel to Parali on the Khopoli - Pali road and then to Lonavla.

BEDSE BUDDHIST caves (60 m) - From Lonavla travel to Kamshet by local train and then to Pawna dam by jeep or bus and get down on the way for caves (3 km).

PAWNA DAM - A beautiful large reservoir which has Tung and Tikona on one side and Lohagad and Visapur on the other side. Access is from Lonavla-Kamshet.

TIKONA FORT (1100 m) - Kamshet to Tikona by Paud bus or jeep (8 km, via Pawna dam). Climb over the ridge near the road to top (1 hour).



TUNG FORT (1077 m) - A sharp peak surrounded by waters of Pawna dam. From Pawna dam get a boat/launch to reach Tung village. A track slowly climbs to the base of the fort. Follow the road and reach the Hanuman temple. A steep climb takes to the temple at the top (1 hour). The road at the base of the fort leads to Essar junction (10 km, 2 hour walk) on Lonavla - Sahara road. Travel to Lonavla by bus. The bus service to Tungi is less frequent.

Fort viewed from other side of Pawna lake