Treks in Sahyadri: one day treks near pune

Raigad Fort Trek

How to Reach : There are two ways to reach Raigad from Pune.
1.Via Varandha Ghat ( Approx.155km)- Pune-Bhor-Varandha Ghat-Mahad-take right turn on NH 70, Mumbai-Goa highway to Mumbai side- then take right turn from Karanjkhol to Raigad fort - After around 25 km reach base village Pachad. Then Go to the Hirkani Buruz by left turn from Pachad village. You don't need to go rope-way if you want to trek.

2.Vai Tahmini Ghat ( Approx. 135km)- Pune-Paud-Mulshi-Tahmini ghat- After descending Tahmini ghat- Go through Vile Bhagd MIDC-Nizampur-Take right to Pachad road- Ghotewadi-Dhamani-Harwandi-Waki-Savarat-Pachad. This road is having less traffic, so avoid night time on the road-No petrol pump found between Nizampur to Pachad.

Parking : Parking place is unsupervised. It is roadside parking near Hirkani buruz. There are few restaurants around the buruz from where the trek starts.

Food and Water : Food and water available on the whole trek route. Full Veg meal on the fort. Better when you reach on the top, give order to any restaurant then go for exploring the fort. So, when you come back the food will be ready. There are small homes of guides on the top who also offer to stay. They can make basic arrangement for stay.
Better services are available near Ropeway base-station in the village. Its about 2/3 km distance from Ropeway base to Hirkani Buruz.
Ramchandra guide- 9420391050 ( On the fort)
Deshmukh Khanaval - 90116 42994, 94036 47647 ( Good for big groups at the base)

About Trek : The trek starts from Hirkani buruz. The whole trek has steps and railing aside. So its well preserved trek route. It will take 1 hour 30 minutes to reach on the top. There are small restaurants along the trek, where water, lemon juice, butter milk, packets food etc. are sold.

About Fort : The fort has historical importance as it is the capital of Swaraj and also Shivaji Maharaj had residence on the fort. Taka tok, Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi, Jadisheshwar tepmle, Bajar peth, Holi ground, Sadar, palaces of royal family etc. many important monuments are is good condition to watch.
Official guide are available on the top with mere Rs.300/500. I recommend to take guide to understand the historical importance of the fort.

Railing Plateau

Rayling plateau not known to many people because the area is known and identified as on the famous fort Lingana.

The Lingana fort is famous so the plateau is used to stay or watch the Lingana. But the plateau itself is very beautiful.
The villagers tell that the Railing is named because Raigad and Lingana forts can be seen from this plateau, so its combined the names of both forts and named Railing.

The plateau is very scenic in the monsoon and its full of tiny flowers and grass in winter. This a perfect offbeat location for camping and overnight stay.

How to Reach :

Its about 90 km from Pune. Its 3 hrs journey from Pune by private vehicle.

You have reach to Velhe

i) Pune-Khandkwasla_Khanapur-Pabe Ghat-Velhe,(46km)

ii) Pune-Banglore highway-Shindewadi-Toll plaza-right turn from Nasrapur-Velhe (56km)

Velhe-Bhatti-Kelad Khind- (12km) Take right turn immediately after Khind (pass) to Singapur Mohari villahe raod- Next road is on the top of the ridge of almost 10 km. The raod is rough and stony. Not suitable for city cars. Drive carefully because decends on both side of the raod. Its loneley road. No Shops no stores.

After hard ride of 30 mins you will reach to the Mohari village. left turning road goes to Singapur village, Here the slope is very steep, so park your four wheeler here. Two wheelers or samll cars may taken ahead to the Mohari Village.

But you are advised to park vehicle downside.

Last petrol pump and stores are at Velhe only.

Food and Stay :

Mohari and Singapur both are small villages. No restaurants and shops are available here. So nothing will be available there. Some villagers may cook food for small groups on request.

Tiffins are suggested. It will take 6/7 hours to return.

Home stay may provided in both villages or u may camp here.

Mobile range not found.

Singapur village

Mohari Village

About Trek :

The trek is simple and easy. But the route is confusing. There is every possibility to get lost in the deep n dark jungle. There are many routes you will find due to animals and water channels. It is critical to select the right way. Wait and use directional sense to find expected route as per your plan. The routes are indicated A,B,C,D in the map below.

Route A :
Its will take 2:30 hrs from right side route. Its extreme right side route. The longest route to reach Railing plateau. If you want more trek then follow this route. It will show you wonderful view of the edges of Sahyadri.

Route B:
This route goes on the top of the hill and you can trek by watching better view of the surrounding. It is best Photographic route but lonely at the same time. It is a trek of approx 2 hrs.

Route C :
It is a shortest route. Take left to reach the plateau from the juctions of route. It will take approx.1:30 hrs to reach the plateau. You may confuse with the trail of Boratyachi Naal which goes to Lingana fort base. So be careful, if you lost you will reach at the base and not on the Railing Plateau.

Route D :

The route takes you to the base of Lingan fort through Boratyachi naal (बोराट्याची नाळ ) which also start from the same Mohari village. As soon as you enter in valley with stony path, you should understand that you have entered in Boratyachi Naal.

There are no marking for different routes. Its a dark jungle from where these different routes separated So better to take guide( वाटाड्या )from village. Boys from the Mohari village happily serves this task without much expectations.

In case of confusion keep left for Railing plateau. Its a shortest way to reach the Railing plateau. If you lost, Don't be panic you will reach from the longest route to the same plateau. The plateau is not connected with any ridge, so you can reach at the cliff from where you can turn by using common sense.

Some trekkers plan to take round trip. They goes from right side and come back from left side route. Its a hill top plateau, so Don't worry if you lost. But you to change time plan.

What to See:
More than destination, the route itself is scenic. There are many streams and waterfalls around from July to November. Different kind of tiny flowers and grass make this route more beautiful. You can drink the sweet water from streams if your guide suggests.
Grass up to 3 feet high will make your photos more attractive.

The plateau is like a table top vast land with grass cover and rock. It is the perfect place for the Camping.
There is small stream at the east side of the plateau which runs upto month of November generally.

From the Plateau you can see huge thrilling Lingana fort very near to you and the glorious Raigad in the backgourd.
The Lingana trek and rappelling points are clearly visible. The Cave which was used as a Jail also visible from Plateau.

The Takamak tok, Jagdishwar Temple, the Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj, Darugola Kothaar of Raigad can be easily seen with naked eyes. The view of Raigad would be more clear in the morning due to sunlight angle.

The Konkandiva fort to the extreme right side (North-West) also visible clearly.
Varandha ghat, Kavlya fort, Madheghat, Nanemachi waterfall and Shevate waterfall region is visible to the East-South direction.(Left-Front side)

Torna fort is situated to the East direction and Budhala Maachi of Torna fort is claerly visible.

Kal river bank can be seen from the plateau which separates the Sahyadri cliffs from Konkan region.