Monsoon is a magical time all over our country, but more so in places with high mountain ranges with cascading waterfalls and hill forts that turn a lush green due to the rains and the views become mesmerizing. The state of Maharashtra with its towering peaks, deep valleys, dense forests, hidden hamlets and villages, historical hill forts that tell the history of thousands of years and the many rulers gone by, picturesque landscapes and hill stations is a trekkers and nature lovers dream come true. It has an innumerable number of forts built in the western ghats that offer opportunities for adventure seekers with facilities for trekking and hiking. These places become hot spots for monsoon lovers who love to seek out thrills in the rainy months. Although utmost caution is to be taken as the trails become slippery and the places with rock steps have water cascading down in huge quantities.
Here is a list of few such places that are a must-visit in the monsoon months that start from June and last till September.
Torna Fort
Name of the trek - Torna / Prachandagad
District - Pune
Base - Velhe Village
Elevation - 4603 ft
Level - Base level is Easy, Last stretch is Difficult
Time - 2 to 3 hours, one way
Nearest Railway Station - Mangaon at a distance of 35.23 kms
Distance from -
Pune - 38.43 kms
Mumbai - 195.6 kms
*Note - It is the highest hill fort in the district of Pune
Harihar Fort
Name of the trek - Harihar Fort
District - Nashik
Base - Harshewadi Village, Nirgudpada Village, Kotamwadi Village
Elevation - 3676 ft
Level - Moderate to last part being Extreme
Time - 3.5 hours, one way
Nearest Railway Station Igatpuri at a distance of 48 kms
Distance from -
Pune - 155 kms
Mumbai - 256.5 kms
*Note - Last 200 feet is at an 80° incline and must not be attempted by beginners
Visapur Fort
Name of the trek - Visapur
District - Pune
Base - Bhaje Village
Elevation - 3556 ft
Level - Moderate to Difficult
Time - 2 hours, one way
Nearest Railway Station - Malavali, at a distance of 5 kms
Distance from -
Pune - 60 kms
Mumbai - 100 kms
Ratangad Trek
Name of the trek - Ratangad Trek
District - Ahmednagar
Base - RatanWadi Village
Elevation - 4255 ft
Level - Easy to Moderate
Time - 3 hours, one way
Nearest Railway Station - Igatpuri at a distance of 50 kms
Distance from -
Pune - 174.2 kms
Mumbai - 177 kms
Lohagad Fort
Name of the trek - Lohagad, Twin Fort of Visapur
District - Pune
Base - Bhaje Village
Elevation - 3389 ft
Level - Easy
Time - 1 hour, one way
Nearest Railway Station - Malavali, at a distance of 5 kms
Distance from -
Pune - 60 kms
Mumbai - 100 kms
Rajgad Fort
Name of the trek - Rajgad
District - Pune
Base - Gunjawane Village
Elevation - 4514 ft
Level - Moderate
Time - 2 hours, 30 minutes, one way
Nearest Railway Station - Pune
Distance from -
Pune - 35 kms
Mumbai - 125 kms
Duke's Nose Trail
Name of the trek - Duke's Nose Trail ( Cobra Head / Nagphani )
Location - Khandala Hillstation
District - Pune
Base - Kurvanda
Elevation - 766 ft
Level - Easy
Time - 4 hours
Activities - Nature Walks, Treks, Trails, Hiking
Nearest Railway Station - Khandala
Distance from -
Pune - 72 kms
Mumbai - 79 kms
*Note - Last stretch is almost a vertical climb up the rocks and need extreme caution
Kalsubai Peak
Name of the trek - Kalsubai
District - Ahmednagar
Base - Bari Village
Elevation - 5400 ft
Level - Moderate to Difficult
Time - 4 hours, one way
Nearest Railway Station - Igatpuri at a distance of 32 kms
Distance from -
Pune - 169.5 kms
Mumbai - 153 kms
*Note - Kalsubai is the highest peak in the state of Maharashtra and is referred to as Mount Everest of Maharashtra
Devkund Waterfalls
Name of the trek - Devkund Waterfalls
Base - Bhira Village
District - Raigad
Elevation - 2700 ft
River - Kundalika
Activities - River Rafting, Nature Walks, Picnic
Nearest Railway Station - Khopoli
Distance from -
Pune - 99.7 kms
Mumbai - 125 kms
*Note - Swimming is prohibited
Images - wikipedia and www.thrillophilia.com
