Forts and Treks of Matheran Mountain Range | Virtual Pravasi | Treks in Raigad | Treks in Thane | Pious Pravasi

Virtual Pravasi Series - Treks and Forts of Matheran Mountain Range

Using the satellite view of Google Maps, we review the trekking places, forts, and tourist spots in the Sahyadri mountains through the series "Virtual Pravasi". This is a small attempt to see this Sahyadri from a different point of view. One such, satellite view of the Matheran hill range is shared with you. There are many forts, peaks, and trekking spots in this range.

Matheran

Matheran is a famous place. Thousands of tourists flock here, especially during monsoons. You can go directly to Matheran by car. But to visit the points in Matheran, you can only do so by walking or on horseback, that's your choice. Also, some points in Matheran can be reached by trekking. Like One Tree Hill Point trek, Garbett Point trek, Kadyavarcha Ganpati trek, etc.

Peb Fort or Vikatgad Fort

There is a beautiful fort near Matheran. It is the Peb Fort or Vikatgad Fort. You can trek Peb Fort via the Matheran train route or via Anandwadi village. Coming from the Matheran train route, we take a detour from the base of Panorama Point to reach the fort.

Sondai Fort

To the north of Matheran is the Peb Fort and to the south is the Sondai Fort. As such, this fort is relatively unknown. Matheran is crowded with tourists but this fort does not attract much attention from tourists. One can trek to this fort from Sondewadi and Wavarle villages. Sondewadi village is at a little height, and tourists usually trek from this village.

Nakhind Ridge trek

A naturally formed geological formation can be seen in the hills right next to Peb Fort. Hole in the rock caused by air mining over the years. Which is called Nedhe (a naturally formed hole in the mountain). This place is famous as Nakhind Ridge. This trek can be done from Bedisgaon. Also half way we come across the village of Waghinichi Wadi. Although the trek is easy, the route from Waghinichi Wadi to Nakhind Ridge passes through dense forest and during monsoons the route is very difficult to predict.

Irshalgad Fort

In Maharashtra, we may have seen Nedhe-like geographical structures on some forts as well. You should be familiar with the Nedhe of Rajgad and Ratangad Forts. Also another fort near Matheran, adjacent to Morbe Dam, is the Irshalgad Fort. On this fort, we can also see Nedhe at the top.

Chanderi Fort

Chanderi Fort and Mhaismal Hill are easily recognizable due to their distinctive shape. The Chanderi Fort trek can be done from the base village Chinchavali. Trekking up to the cave on the fort is easy. But it is difficult to reach the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the top of Chanderi Fort. You must have a rope and some equipment with you. There is also a Gadeshwar Lake at the base of the fort, which is now famous for camping.

Tahuli Peak

Looking ahead in the same mountain range, we see Tahuli Peak, Ganesh Kartik Pinnacle, and Malanggad Fort. Tahuli peak trek can be done from Khushivali village which is right between Tahuli peak and Malanggad Fort. On the way to Tahuli, we come across Ganesh Kartik pinnacle. This peak which looks like a thin thumb definitely attracts climbers.

Malanggad Fort

Very easy way to reach, Malanggad Fort which has religious importance. Malangwadi is the base village. As such, this fort is divided into three phases. Pir Machi, Son Machi and Balekilla. Many devotees come to Pir Machi. But from there you can go to Son Machi by trekking for half an hour. The journey till here is easy. But it is difficult to reach the top of the fort. For this, climbing skills and materials are required.

Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad Fort

This trek is very close to me. My journey with the Sahyadri mountains started with Kalavantin Durg trek in 2017 and my connection with it is gradually getting stronger. Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad Fort trek can be done from the base village Thakurwadi. From the village, we come to the Prabalmachi village, which is at the exact base of both forts. Accommodation and food are available here. You can also do camping here. The rock-cut steps at Kalavantin Durg are very remarkable and climbing these steps and seeing the Kalavantin pinnacle from Prabalgad  Fort is heavenly. Prabalgad is a huge fort. If you want to visit all the places on the fort, you have to walk a lot. The highlight is a visit to the Kala Bastion (Buruj) at the southern end. The view of Morbe Dam, Matheran, and Irshalgad Fort from here is very beautiful.

Click on the Virtual Pravasi to read the other blogs from this series.

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