The most memorable and interesting fact of roaming in the mountains is to trek in between the dark forests while being attentive to the dripping of water from waterfalls. Trekking in Maharashtra is popular on the Sahyadri range but during monsoons, it’s quite a different experience altogether. It is a magical experience to unfold within the historical forts and hilly areas along the Western Ghats. So to conserve the beauty you must once trek through the dark hilly mountains of Maharashtra. While Southeast Monsoons strike the lands of Maharashtra, it’s something worth visiting and will make your weekend getaways from Pune to Mumbai the foremost remarkable.
Here is a list of places you can wish-list in your trekking list:-
1: Bhimashankar Trek- The most famous spot among the trekkers is Bhimashankar and more during the rainy season. It will take you straight to the Wildlife Sanctuary and will allow experiencing and feel the variety of langurs, spotted deer, and birds. If you are fortunate enough you may get a glance of ‘Shekou’, that is Malabar Giant Squirrel. If you are a fresher in trekking then I’ll tell you to trek with a group of friends or rather avoid the Shidi Ghat route and pass through the Ganesh Ghat route instead. You can choose this spot as your basecamp, which is Khandas village. You can hire an auto or jeep at Karjat or Neral Railway Station to reach Khandas.
2: Karnala Fort- Located at 1440 ft. and its distance from Mumbai is around 60 km which is on Mumbai-Goa Highway. Karnala Fort is famous amongst bird lovers and trekkers. There are more than 150 species of birds, like three-toed kingfisher, ashy minivet, golden oriole, and some migratory birds too. Trekking to the thumbs-up point is quite an adventurous experience and you’ll see clouds all around. From the top of the hill, you can enjoy the scenery of the bushy jungle and its best place to spot Prabalgad, Manikgad, and Chanderi Fort. To reach this fort, first, you have to reach Panvel Railway Station or the Bus Depot and there are buses available or hire a rickshaw.
3: Korigad- If you are a fresher and have no experience with trekking, then it’s an easy and good option to choose Korigad. Korigad came under the famous hill station Lonavala. To reach the top you will find a lot of steps so there is very little chance of getting lost in the beauty. It’s soaring a height of 930 meters above ground level. Its site is marked with three magnificent temples and you will experience the history of the lifestyle of Maharaj Shivaji. The plenary scenery will remind you of Marathas warriors. To reach Korigad, first, you have to take a bus to either Aamby Valley or Peth Shahpur.
4: Prabalgad- Prabalgad is situated between Panvel and Matheran. It was built during the Bahmani Sultanate and used as a watchtower to keep sight of the Kalyan Fort and Panvel Fort. The slippery elevation on the rock-cut way is very risky so it’s better to avoid it during the Monsoon season. The fort is 700 meters above the land on a tableland and covered with mist which will give you an animated scene. From Thakurwadi, there are two ways you can choose- the first is Kalavantin which is a little difficult as the climb is high, and the second is Prabalgad which is comparatively facile as the roads are well-marked. To reach Prabalgad, first, you have to reach Panvel, and then you have to catch a bus to Thakurwadi or you can also hire a private car. From Thakurwadi, there are two ways you can choose- the first is Kalavantin and the second is Prabalgad.
5: Torna Fort- Torna Fort was first earned by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj when he was 16 years old. It’s huge in size, folklore, and history and it’s one of the best places for trekking. Stands at an elevation of 4602 ft from sea level. You have cross streams, waterfalls, and crests ahead of the track and this is what makes it most attractive during Monsoon season. From the top, you can explore the sights of Singhad, Raireshwar, Bhatgar, Mahabaleshwar, Raigad, Khadakwasla dam, Pratapgad, and Makarangad. The base camp is at Velhe village. You have to take a bus from Pune which is going towards Satara, get down at Narsapur by NH 4 and it’s 36 km from Pune Station, then hire a jeep to Velhe and summit to the top.
Tips to Follow During Trekking-
1: Carry a lightweight backpack.
2: Take necessary kits such as Water Bottle, Safety Aid Box, Chargers, Snacks.
3: Never throw plastics in the mountains, carry that in your bag then throw it in the dustbin at the base side.
4: Wear proper trekking shoes or hiking boots.
5: Trek with a group of professionals or friends.
6: Stay on the trail and go in a line formation.
