Seasoned trekkers share their favourite routes to trek this monsoon

Aadrai forestThe Aadrai forest located in Malshej Ghat passes through a jungle that promises breathtaking views of the Kalu waterfall As one navigates the trail they will encounter other cascading waterfalls The trek is best undertaken during the monsoon as the landscape is lush and covered with mist This easy and enjoyable hike is ideal for beginners The threehour oneway journey mostly comprises a flat walk making it suitable for firsttime hikersDifficulty level Easy A compulsory guide is needed trekkers can lose their wayHow to reach The trail starts from Khireshwar village in Junnar taluka Mumbai to Khireshwar village is 160 km Board a Kalyanbound train and from the station hire a jeep headed towards Junnar alight at Khubi Phata or take the jeep to Khireshwar Public transportation is limited A bus plies towards Junnar from Kalyan bus depot Alight at Khubi Phata From this point itrsquos a sixkilometre walk to Khireshwar village2506 feetMaximum altitudeDevkund waterfall trekThis destination is nestled deep in a forest the waterfall offers a spectacular display of naturersquos force The journey to the waterfall takes approximately three hours from the base covering nearly five kilometres of walking one way with views of diverse flora and fauna The total time is about six hours Its highlight is the magnificent waterfallDifficulty level Moderate A guide is compulsory Avoid trekking during heavy rainsHow to reach The trail begins at Patnus in Pali The nearest railway station is Nagothane or Khopoli From either of these stations hire an autorickshaw Maharashtra state transport buses are available but with limited frequency The distance from Mumbai to Patnus village is 124 km four hours516 feetMaximum altitudeKalsubaiThe ladders at Kalsubai provide a unique experience and add excitement to the journeyThe Kalsubai trek takes you to the summit of Maharashtrarsquos highest peak 1646 meters and also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape including the Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bhandardara dam The period before the monsoon arrives allows trekkers to witness captivating cloud formations and if lucky an opportunity to capture the Milky Way through astrophotography The clear skies and stunning vistas make it a paradise for photographers and nature enthusiasts To ensure the safety of trekkers three large ladders have been installed along the trail making the climb more secure and accessible The ascent typically takes around four hours and the descent follows a similar time frame It takes eight hours to complete the trekDifficulty level ModerateHow to reach The trail begins at Bari village in Igatpuri Mumbai to Bari village is 160 km five hours The nearest railway station is Kasara Rail is the cheapest and fastest mode to reach the base village Board a Kasarabound train and hire a jeep from Kasara to reach Bari State transport buses heading to Shendi village or Rajur village also halt at BariManasi Kedar operations head Treks and Trails5400 feetMaximum altitudeTung fortThis fort also known as Kathingad owing to the steep access to the fort Kathin difficult in Marathi and Hindi is a popular trekking destination near Lonavala in the Sahyadris The conical peak is a distinct feature and the fort can be recognised easily from a distance The starting point is the Tungwali village There are multiple routes to reach the fort The most common one is a welldefined trail that starts near the village and leads you uphill As you ascend yoursquoll pass through dense forests rocky patches and steep slopes The trail can be challenging in certain sections The fortrsquos ruins include the main entrance bastions water tanks and a few temples It has historical significance and was built during the Adil Shahi dynasty but was captured by the Marathas and used as a watchtower It offers splendid views of the Sahyadris and Pawna lakeDifficulty level Moderate For regular trekkers this might seem like an easy oneHow to reach Tungwadi is the base village and is accessible by road It is 115 km from Mumbai Trekkers can drive or take public transport to Lonavala From here catch a bus to Aamby Valley and alight at Ghusalkhamb village It will take roughly one and a half hours eight kilometres to reach Tungwadi on foot Local taxis or autorickshaws ply from LonavalaJayesh Paranjpe founder Western Routes3526 feetMaximum altitudeManikgad fortThis 18th century hill fort in ruin mdash built by Maratha naval chief Kanhoji Angre to oversee the trade route from Maval to the coastal ports mdash stands testimony to the architectural foresight of the Maratha Empire Look out for a big rockcut tank called the lsquoDarya Takersquo The trek starts at Vashivali village 25 km from Panvel The trail passes through a forest and opens to a plateau which is ideal to spot the rufous treepie red vented bulbul purple sunbird shikra and the green bee eater among others After crossing the plateau the path leads through a dense forest In the last stretch traverse carefully since it covers rocky terrain It takes approximately four hours to reach the summit 30 minutes to explore the fort and approximately two hours for the descent To avoid harsh sun start at dawn so itrsquos possible to reach the top before 10 am The total trek distance is 10 kmDifficulty level Moderate to difficult Prior trekking experience in the Sahyadris is preferableHow to reach From Panvel station hire a taxi or rickshaw to Vashivali Alternatively reach Vashivali directly via a private vehicle1878 feetMaximum altitudeOne tree hillThe trek starts from Ambewadi in Karjat and ends in Matheran Beginning from the fields of this village it takes trekkers through lush forests to the finishing point which is a hill with one tree The views are spectacular with the massive Morbe dam on the east and Irshalgad and Prabalgad forts to the west While this route is accessible all year it is prettiest in the monsoon After a climb 3 to 35 km tread through a green trail 3 km flat walk to Matheran Post lunch head to Dasturi from where Neral station is accessible via taxi The distance of this trek is six kilometresDifficulty level Easy to moderate Basic fitness levels are ideal to enjoy this trekHow to reach Board a Karjatbound train and hire a taxi to Ambewadi the base village Alternatively directly reach Ambewadi by private vehicleAnkit Naithani founder Wandering Boots Adventures2500 feetMaximum altitude