Year round, travelers in Maharashtra can choose from a wide selection of adventure sports. The Sahyadris have deep woods to explore, rivers and cascades to splash in, rock walls and boulders to scale, and historic forts to walk to. Trekking in the Sahyadris leads you to peaks that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Here are some of Maharashtra’s best treks.
Lohagad Fort
The Lohagad Fort (Iron Fort) is a mediaeval fort located in the Sahyadri hills in the Lonavala district of Maharashtra, 11 kilometres from Lonavala, 66 kilometres from Pune, and 114 kilometres from Mumbai. It is a popular heritage site in Maharashtra and one of the greatest tourist attractions in Lonavala. The Lohagad Fort, perched atop a mound at a height of 1050 metres, separates the Indrayani and Pawna basins. It is also one of the most popular trekking destinations around Pune and Mumbai.
As part of Lonavala tour packages, it is one of the most visited forts in Maharashtra. Guru Govind Singh erected the fort in 1564 CE to function as a prison. The hillfort is constructed in the shape of the tail of a scorpion. Any of the fort’s four entrances, Maha Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja, and Narayan Darwaja, can be used to enter. The Maha Darwaja has exquisite carving, and there is a little cave near the third gate that was once used for food storage. The fort’s four gates are all still intact. Because of its accessibility, ease of climb, and lush green environs, Lohagad is an ideal trekking destination for trekkers from Pune and Mumbai. The walk to Lohagad is quite popular, especially during the monsoon season. The walk begins in Malavli, about 7 kilometres from Lohagad.
Garbett Point
Garbett Point, also known as Garbut Point, is located near Matheran and is 17 kilometres from Matheran and 8 kilometres from Diksal. It offers a spectacular view of the plateau below. Various waterfalls on adjacent mountains may be seen from the vast plateau. This is also one of the top things to do in Matheran hill station, and one of the destinations that must be included in Lonavala vacation packages. Garbut Point, about a 5-kilometer walk from Matheran Railway Station, is a more remote and less popular viewpoint. Garbett Point, which is surrounded on one side by a beautiful valley and on the other by dense vegetation, offers breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. For adventure seekers from Mumbai and Pune, the Garbett to Matheran trek is well-known.
The journey is long and requires some patience to complete. The walk begins in the village of Diksal. A large constructed lake may be seen after strolling for 5 minutes. Visitors must walk around the lake’s circumference and cross a fast-flowing stream. During the monsoon season, a rope is required to cross the stream. The meadows and mountains are lush green, and there are waterfalls everywhere.
Pratapgad Fort
Pratapgad, also known as Pratapgarh, is a massive hill fort located in the Satara region of Maharashtra, 20 kilometres from Mahabaleshwar, 140 kilometres from Pune, and 221 kilometres from Mumbai. It is one of the best heritage sites to see near Mumbai, and one of the most popular attractions included in Mahabaleshwar vacation packages. The fort is erected on a spur that overlooks the road between the villages of Par and Kinesvar and is located at an altitude of 1080 metres.
To defend Nira and the Koyna River banks, as well as to monitor the Par pass, Maratha monarch Shivaji Maharaj had commissioned Moropant Pingle, his prime minister, to begin construction of this fort. It is one of Mahabaleshwar’s most beautiful tourist attractions. In the year 1656, the fortress’ project was finished. On the 10th of November 1659, the fort witnessed the famous Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, the ruler of the Bijapur Sultanate. After losing the third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the Maratha forces were forced to surrender the Pratapgad Fort.
Karnala Bird Sanctuary
The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located in the Panvel Taluka in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, 13 kilometres from Panvel, 53 kilometres from Matheran, 56 kilometres from Lonavala, 66 kilometres from Mumbai Central, and 112 kilometres from Pune. It is a popular picnic place near Mumbai. Karnala was the first bird sanctuary in Maharashtra when it was established in 1968. The sanctuary originally covered 4.45 square kilometres, but in 2003 it was expanded to 12.11 square kilometres. The Karnala Fort is located beneath this bird refuge.
In the Mumbai area, the bird sanctuary is a popular site for birdwatchers and hikers. The sanctuary has a number of interesting routes, the easiest of which is the Hariyal Nature Trail. This trail is barely a kilometre long, but it provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. The Mortaka Trail, which runs for 6 kilometres through the sanctuary, is suitable for people searching for a lengthier hike. The Karnala Fort Trail is the ideal for trekkers.
Tringalwadi Fort
Tringalwadi Fort is located in Igatpuri taluka of Nashik district, 10 kilometres from Igatpuri, 50 kilometres from Nashik, and 54 kilometres from Trimbakeshwar. As part of the places to visit in Igatpuri, it is one of the most popular. The Tringalwadi Fort, which is located at an elevation of 3000 feet, is one of the must-see attractions in Igatpuri trip packages. The presence of caves suggests that the caves and the fort were built around the 10th century. The fort was constructed to guard the trade route that connected Konkan and Nashik. There is no proof that it was under the authority of the Marathas during this time, but the Mughals acquired control of the fort in 1688 AD. It is one of the 17 forts that the British took over in 1818 AD.
Also you can visit Andharban Trek
