Kothaligad Trek

Kothaligad fort ( Peth fort)

Kothaligad is one the most scenic popular fort. It is also known as fort of Peth named after base village Peth. Its very photogenic because of its 'Bell-Shaped' look.

 How to Reach : Its about 140km from Pune.

Pune-Lonavla-Khandala-Khopoli- exit from right turn to Karjat-Posari-Kadaw-Takawe-Kothimbe-Jambhawali-Kothaligad base

Public transport is to the base village Jambhvali is available from Karjat, Kadawe and Panvel.

Food : Food and water available at Jambhawali & Peth. There are veg and non veg restaurants are there at Jambhawali. You can order food and can have it when you back from trek.No food on the top of the fort. 

Parking : Non paved parking is there at Jambhawali for buses, cars and bikes beside 

restaurants, which may be chargeable. 

Stay : Home stay available at Jambhwlai and Peth village. 

About The Trek :

The trek starts from Jambhwali village after parking. It will take almot 2.30 hrs to reach on the top of the fort. Total time for trek to return parking may need 7/8 hrs for normal groups.

Follow the trek route and go to left in case of divergent. After 10 mins there is a forest check post there. They charged Rs.50 per head from us.Then ascending starts with snake turns. 

After 40 mins you will reach on the top of plateau. The view is spectacular and your steps will slow down to watch it. The beauty of Kothaligad and its bell shape is visible from this plateau. In monsoon, there are many waterfalls parallel to the edges and makes the fort more scenic and photogenic. 

There is a small temporary restaurant  is 

found here on weekends in monsoon. Here you can spend 20 mins easily for taking photos because its most photogenic point on the route with backdrop of the fort.

 After chilling out here proceed to Peth village which will be there after 20 mins.

There is Kaccha road upto here from Jambhwali village. Local uses this road for bikes and bull-kart. Peth village is at the foothill of the fort. There are small restaurants and homestays are here too. Guides can be taken from the village. Villagers are friendly. 

Then real fort ascend starts from Peth village. It is very steep and vertical. Since its a popular fort,you will come across many groups and foreigners too during trek. Because the route is narrow go with cooperating each other. Help girls, kids, senior citizens and foreigners. 

There are almost 80 degree slanted steps to the ceiling to go on the top. Its a windy and narrow way, so go slowly and carefully. Its most risky section of the fort. In normal conditions you will need 5/10 minutes to cross this section.

Water bottles and Limbu sarabat stalls are there on the whole trek.

 

On the Fort : Finally, after 2 hrs and 30 mins,you will be on the narrow top of the fort. You can see lots of waterfalls around the region including Bhimashakar region. The wind energy project adds spectacular view. 

There is a small temparory stall here selling water and Limbu sarabat here on weekends.

Keep calm and click photographs, as many as you can.

Its a plain top with no cover. Groups can eat there tiffin here. 

Nearby Places : Khanadal, Lonvla, Zenith waterfall, Mathran, Bhimashankar, Prabalgad, Karnala fort etc.  

( Recently i visited with 11 members with my trekking Paltan group Pune and carried out cleanliness campaign Friendship Day 05/082018)

Duke Nose Trek

Duke's Nose Trek

Its a simple one day trek! But go only weekends ! If you want to do repelling then go with professionalss

This post describes the Duke's Nose by simple trekking.

How to Reach : Its about 85/90 km from Pune. Pune-Lonvla-Lonvla city-Bhushi dam road-before Lonavla lake take right turn towards Kurvande village which goes parallel to the Bhushi dam road on the other side of the lake. Ask someone if not get a proper road. It will take 120 mins. approx. from Pune to reach Kurvande village which is the base village of the trek.

 

Parking : Sufficient place available for parking of buses, car and bikes in the Kurvande village. 

Food : The restaurant, hotels and home stay are available in the Kurvande village. But no food and water available on the route.

About the Trek :
The trek is very simple and small trek of 3/4 hrs round trip. It will take 40/50 mins to reach on the top of the Duke's Nose. Proceed besides Leela valley resort. The trail is visible. Its simple and can ascend easily. Few steps are steep. On the way the origin of river Indrayani can be seen as a board is written

What to See : 

The top is narrow. The Lord Shiva temple situated on the top. The expanded view of the Khandala and Khopoli can be seen from the top.

Beautiful view of Khandala Ghat, express way, railway tunnels, Rajmachi fort, INS Shivaji, Bhushi dam road and Lonavla can be seen from the top. 

Trek Safety :

• Popular in weekends in monsoon. So avoid on weekdays of other than monsoon.
• Keep water and Food with you.
• On the top bar railings are there but not so strong. Don't cross it. 
• The edges of the top are vertical, so don't go ahead. The top is elevated like a tower. So take care of kids and over enthusiastic members. 

Prabalgad (Muranjan Fort) Trek

Prabalgad प्रबळगड  ( मुरंजन गड )

I went in 21 November 2016 with my students of  B.Ed. course of Tilak College of Education, Pune-30 from Pune and conducted cleanliness campaign on Prabalgad. Parshuram Bhagre, Nitin Kulkarni, Sainath Jagdale, Dinkar Pathawe, Karan Bidve, Hanumant Londhe, Sandip Jadhav & Prasad Wanjale were participated in the campaign of collecting non-degradablematerial spread on the fort. 

How to Reach : About 140 km from  Pune.

Pune to Mumbai highway - Panvel - Right turn from Bharat Petrol Pump - Shedang  - Belvali - Vardoli Village. - Parking spot

                                 

Food and Parking :

Parking place is available at Vardoli village supervised by  local people. Its next to village. sufficient place is for bus, car and bikes.

No restaurant found at base. But available at the trek after first phase at Thakurwadi. You will get food, accommodation and guide to go on Prabalgad and Kalvanteen Bruruz. 

Trek : The trek has two phases. First phase start from Vardoli village parking to Thakurwadi. Its steep ascend from turns and jungles. Lemon juice seller are there on spot by spot. It will take up to one and half hour to reach the Prabalmachi, one hotel with Veg-Non-veg food, accommodation and camping facility is available. You can have breakfast over here.

There are two options you have for trek. Left side trail goes to Kalavantin Buruz and left side trail goes to Prabalgad fort. Prabalgad is well covered by forest and Kalavantin buruz is like tower exposed to sunlight. 

Thakurwadi/Prabalmachi to Prabalgad - Take guide from village because difficult to find a way to Prabalgad from deep forest. Prefer Belshing way for trek. It will take one and half hour to reach on the top and two hours to explore the fort. 

Trek is difficult and test the strength and stamina of trekkers. Ascend is high and up. Huge rocks works as steps which may loose. So take care of each step. Most care should be taken when descending. 

What to See : The fort plateau has great extent with fully covered with forest and insects. Follow the instructions by the guide with you. Lord Shiv and Ganesh temple, remians of Rajwada (Palace), Water tanks, Kala (black) Buruz, Matheran view point and Kalavantin buruz view point. Once you reach on top, take left turn for Kalavantin Buruz view point. After 15/20 minutes you will reach at the edge and will be enchanted to see spectacular view of Kalavantin Durg/buruz ! You can see to long distance up to Panvel. On the way you can see the Kala-Buruz and historic water tank. Take care ! there is no safety guards or wall here ! 

Come back and proceed to right hand trail to see Lord Shiv & Ganesh temples, Kala buruz top, remains of the 'Wada' and Matheran view point from dense jungle. Don't explore without guide. Once you back to the thakurwadi, take rest, have some food then proceed to Kalavantin Durg.

Thakurwadi to Kalavantin Durg/Buruz : Its a tower like mount. Its very steep, near vertical ascend. There is no safety guards. No chance of mistake. There are steps but those are smooth. If someone is not sure, don't force him/her to proceed. Its a life -death risk. Give way to descending trekkers. Keep coordination coming-going trekkers.Make a way to each other. Give hand of help on risky steps.  Last step before top is highly risky. It may take 30/40 minutes to reach on the narrow top.This will give you memorable satisfaction. More care should be taken when descending. 

Do this job seriously, over enthusiasm may risk your and others life. 

Safety : 

• Take a guide from village. 
• No Mobile Coverage. 
• Less Number of trekkers. 
• Dense and deep Jungle. 
• Huge extent of the fort.
• Preserve your energy ! 
• Slop is steep and vertical ! Keep every step carefully especially on Kalavantin Durg !
• Difficult to reach rescue and help on the spot. 
• Insects and animals may be encountered. 
• Keep water and food for emergency ! 
• Keep distance from insects and animals ! 
• Don't bring Kids , over confidence and over enthusiastic friends and physically weak persons. 
• Don't litter on the fort. Carry all plastic bottles, rappers, plates, carry bags etc.back with you !

Best Season : 

From October to January ! From Parking to parking it may take 8 to 10 hours to complete both treks of Prabalgad and Kalavantin durg. Better to take halt and do a camping !

Parking

restaurant at Prabalmachi

Thakurwadi

Kalavantin Durg

Remains of Wada

Prabalmachi