Kamalgad fort trek is one of the off beat trek. It is in Satara district near Wai surrounded by the back water Dhom Dam. 'Kamal' means Lotus flower 'gad' means fort. The shape of the fort is like a lotus flower. There are two phases of the fort. First is plateau i.e. 'Maachi' like opened petals then second, there is rock stand structure in the middle of the plateau i.e. 'Balekilla' like close petals of lotus. It gives a look of lotus tower hence it is named after lotus i.e. 'Kamalgad'. If you see Google map image of top view of the fort, you will realize this.
The fort description is based on my latest blog on 23.02.2020 with my Trekking Paltan Group friends Sudhakar Koli and Kamlesh Wani.
Kamalgad from Kenjalgad
Kamalgad fort from Wai
Geru chi Vihir (Ochre Well)
How to Reach :It is about 115 km from Pune with 3 hours journey. Pune-Shirwali-Surur-Wai-Menvali-along with Dhom dam backwater -Tupewadi (base).
(Some trekkers treks from Kondhawali bk. Wai-Malkampeth-Boriv-Dahyat-Balkawdi-Kondhawali bk.)
We went from Tupewadi which is about 30 km from Wai.
Parking : It is open space after Tupewadi village near farms on private place. No supervision. No fees. There is a board of Kamalgad here.
Food, Water and Stay : There is no water on the fort trek. But there are few houses on the fort which is called Dhangarvasti. It will take almost two hours to reach to the houses. So better carry snacks and water required on the trek. Food, water and stay are provided by the people staying on the fort. But you need to contact them first.
Kamalgad fort : Food and stay contact Shri Shankar Doiphode - 94048 78163, 97635 42330
About the Trek :We started trek from Tupewadi. The trek is quite hectic of three hours. It needs lots of endurance. Slippary in rainy days and hot and humid in summer. First phase is to reach maachi i.e. plateau phase takes almost more than two hours.
I have divided the trek in to four phases for better understading. Base to Gorakshnath mandir-Mandir to Dhangarwadi-Dhangarwadi to base (Machi) -base (machi) to Ballekilla
Must see theVirtual Tour of Trek
Phase 1 : First is from Tupewadi to Shri Gorakshnath temple. There is a board near parking place showing the direction of the trek. It takes almost 90 min to 120 mins. to reach there. In this phase lots of misguiding trails are found. There are cattle routes and water routes which can misguide you. We put saffron colored ribbon there for other trekkers. See the tallest tree as shown in the image below and follow the trail leading towards. You can also follow the electrical poles to reach that tree. It is very hot after January, since no shade on the trails. It is a continuous hike. Keep drinking water and avoid dehydration. See the Photos below which are arranged in the hike sequence.
Board near parking
Trek starting point
initial trail is clearly visible.
Follow the trail shown up to tallest tree.
Lots of bushes which makes trail unclear
Follow the electrical poles
Last portion has big trees rather bushes. One you reach on the top of the ridge, take left trail.
You will see a board 'Shri Gorakshnath temple.' Go to the temple.
My co-trekkers My self, Sudhakar Koli and Kamalesh Wani
You can rest here for some time.
Phase 2 : This phase starts from the Gorakshnath madir. It will take 30/40 mins. Take left and go to the Kamalgad. After 10 minutes you will enter in dark forest. This is most confusing phase. There are plenty of trials here. Actually those are created by water streams. Difficult to find proper. We have put ribbons there. But remember you have to go straight and upward direction. See the map below. This phase ends in Dhangarwadi village where you found few houses and farms.
Follow the direction in dense forest with many trails. See where you are heading. Keep checking regularly and make sure you are on right trail.
Phase 3 : This phase is from village to the base of Kamalgad Ballekilla which takes 30 mins. This is a vast plateau. This can be called a 'machi' of the fort but no fortification found. After a dense forest you will reach in open space with few houses and farms. Go to the houses side. There is board near houses where farms end. Then enter in the dense forest again. See the photos. The trails is clear and visible. at the end of the trail you will reach to the iron ladder which takes you on the main fort i.e. Ballekilla. See the photos arranged in the sequence.
You can see Ballekilla from machi
Shocked to see a car on the fort
We decided to first visit the ballekilla then lunch so proceeded further.
Clear trail
Ladder at the last phase
Phase 4 : This is on the top. After a ldder you reach on the ballekilla which is a small plaeau. Yuo can see all panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Dhom dam and Raireshwar region.
30/40 mins are enough to explore the fort. Main structure is Ochre mine which is called 'Geru chi Vihir' or 'Kave chi Vihir' in Marathi. Geru or Kaw means Ochre and vihir means Well. Ochre is a native earth colored with hydrated iron oxide. Here bed rock is red in color so soil color is red.
After the exploring all edges of the fort we went to Mr. Doiphode's house and took lunch.
Mr. Doiphode family members are very supportive and friendly. We gave them all medicine we had and they required, since they do not go frequently at base for marketing.
