Nakhind Ridge trek | Bhagirath waterfall | Bedisgaon | Monsoon trek | Vangani | Thane | Pious Pravasi

District - Thane 

Base village - Bedisgaon 

Height - ~2300 feet 

Time - 2 hours 

Grade - Easy 

Endurance level - Medium 

Nearest Railway Station - Vangani 

Mumbai to Bedisgaon - 70 km 

Pune to Bedisgaon - 120 km 

Dated - 11 September 2021

Nedhe - a naturally formed hole in the rock. This unique geographical structure can be seen only in a few places in Maharashtra. "Nakhind" is one of them. A deep valley on both sides, a trail lost in mist and dense forest, walking through such a narrow ridge to Nakhind was a thrilling experience and after the trek a visit to Bhagirath Waterfall. Today's blog is of this Pravas.

Mumbai to Bedis village journey

Traveled from Mumbai to Ghansoli - Shilpata - Badlapur and reached Vangani. I had three trekker friends with me. Pawan, Laxman, and Mukesh. Before this, four of us had trekked together to Gorakhgad and Mrugagad fort. The distance from Mumbai to Vangani is about 70 km and from Pune to Vangani is about 120 km. From the Vangani chauk, proceeded towards Bedisgaon via Vangani village road.

Way to Bedis village by Vangani village road

The distance from Vangani to Bedisgaon is about 5 km. The route was good but the road condition was a bit bad in some places. The nearest railway station for the Nakhind trek is Vangani and from there, you can easily get an Auto for Bedisgaon. Just before Bedisgaon a path on the right leads to Bhagirath waterfall.

Way to Bhagirath waterfall

Bedis village

We left for Bedisgaon first. Parked the bike in the village and started the trek.

Trek starts

The route through dense forests and uncertainty of rainfall during the rainy season. A stream of water was crossed on the way and it started raining.

Start of the trek

Crossing the water stream

This trek is done in two stages. The first stage is an easy-grade trek from Bedisgaon to Waghinichi wadi. Since this trek route is completely identifiable, there is no chance of getting lost. At the same time, with the help of a light pole, the path leading to the Waghinichi wadi can also be identified.

Trek route

Waghinichi wadi was visible in front. Due to the dense fog, it was not possible to guess where exactly the Nakhind is located in the mountains behind the wadi. It took around 45 minutes to reach the Waghinichi wadi.

Waghinichi wadi

Reached the wadi and started the further journey after asking the villagers for the initial route. From Nakhind you can see Chanderi Fort, Mhaismal, Tahuli peak, and Malanggad on one side and Peb Fort, Matheran, Irshalgad, Kalavantin Durg, and Prabalgad on the other side. I wanted to see these forts, and mountains but the fog was so much that it seemed like the wish would come true or not. It was another one and a half hours to reach the Nakhind. In that time, maybe if the rain subsides, the atmosphere clears up a bit, and I will be able to see the view.

Way to Nakhind ridge

Selfie with trekker friends

The second stage of the trek is the trek from Waghinichi wadi to Nakhind ridge. Although the trek was of easy grade, it was very difficult to find the right path through the thick bushes. We also had no idea if we were going the right way or not.

Finding a way to Nakhind ridge

It literally felt like going back to the wadi. Continued walking patiently for some time. Just then a marking was found on the stone and the trek started again with renewed energy.

Marking on stone

Convinced ourselves that we were on the right track, and walked continuously for the next hour.

Trek route to Nakhind ridge

At last, we reached the narrow ridge leading to Nakhind extending towards the south-north and we proceeded towards the Nakhind. But the real test was now. It was a very thrilling experience to walk on this narrow ridge to Nakhind in heavy rain, gusty wind, a deep valley on both sides, and a trail lost in mist and bushes.

Narrow ridge with thick fog, dense vegetation, and heavy rain

Reached Nakhind and rested for some time in Nedhe. It took around 2 hours to reach the Nakhind ridge from Waghinichi wadi since additionally half an hour was wasted to find the right route. We were protected from the rain for some time by sitting in the Nedhe, but the cold gusty wind was bringing chills.

Nedhe of Nakhind ridge

We sat in the Nedhe and ate the Bhakari and Bhaji that were brought with us. Gusty winds and heavy rain continued, accompanied by thick fog. As it seemed risky to go above the Nedhe in such an environment, we spent some time in the Nedhe itself. The desire to see the surrounding peaks and forts from the top of the mountain remained unfulfilled. I will definitely come again but in winter or summer and will see the surrounding view and also go on top of the Nedhe. We now headed back to Bedis village.

It took around 45 minutes to reach Waghinichi wadi and another half an hour to reach the Bedis village. Came back to Bedisgaon and saw a goat giving birth to her kid at a villager's house. It was an amazing experience for an urban nomad like me.

An goat and her newborn baby goat

Bhagirath waterfall

A little further from Bedisgaon we headed towards Bhagirath Falls.

Way to Bhagirath falls

Within a few minutes, we reached the waterfall. Crossed the water stream and went to the base of the waterfall. After reaching the base, the hugeness of the waterfall was realized.

Bhagirath waterfall

Due to heavy rain, going under the waterfall seems risky, so we stopped there for some time and started our return journey.

Bhagirath waterfall

Return journey

Again traveling through Vangani - Badlapur - Shilphata - Ghansoli and reached Mumbai.

Click on Nakhind ridge trek to watch a YouTube video of this Pravas.

Click on Thane to read other blogs from the Thane district.

Jai Shivray

#nakhind #nakhindridge #bedisgaon #vangani #thane #piouspravasi