Adventure, on the rocks

Come monsoon and Maharashtra transforms into a paradise for trekking enthusiasts From the rugged peaks and lush greenery of the Sahyadris to the serene trails around Lonavala and Karjat therersquos something for everyone The state is home to a significant portion of the Western Ghats also known as the Sahyadris which are a biodiversity hotspot During the monsoon this region showcases its incredible diversity to the utmost with an estimated 4500 plant speciesmdash 35 per cent of which are endemic to the regionmdashin full bloom The state also boasts a rich cultural history with ancient forts caves and temples dotting these mountains enhancing the appeal of trekking in the area Trekkers can explore over 20 forts and heritage sites on these trailsHere are some tekking routes we recommend for this monsoonTandulwadi trekThis 15thcentury fort situated in Palghar district and easily accessible from Mumbai derives its name from the nearby village Tandulwadi While the original fort structure no longer stands trekkers will be rewarded with panoramic vistas overlooking the historic Saphale town It also offers a glimpse into rural life Perched at 1524 feet historically the Tandulwadi fort held strategic significance in the western region initially controlled by the Portuguese and later seized by the MarathasThe trek starts near the gram panchayat office where a 30minute walk up a straightforward trail leads to the first plateau Key points atop the fort have been labelled such as Bale Killa temples cisterns and weapon storage rooms offering insights into its past From the summit enjoy views of the Vaitarna river and its meeting point with Surya rivergtgtgtAttractions 15thcentury fort panoramic views Trekking level ModerateDuration 1 dayHow to get there Nearest station is Saphale from there board an ST bus or shared jeeps to Varai phataTo Book mischieftrekscomKondana cavesEmbark on a journey through ancient Buddhist history with the Kondana caves trek located just 15km from Karjat Explore 16 rockcut caves that were carved by disciples in the first century BC and adorned with sculptures viharas chaityas and stupas Despite an earthquake in the early 1900s that had damaged the front entrance the cave floors and many stupas the caverns remain a significant attraction for tourists and Buddhist devotees yearround No guide is required for this route The Kondana caves are part of the Rajmachi trek route from the Karjat side with a wellmarked trail that ensures therersquos little chance of losing your way Therersquos a trail from the caves to the historic Rajmachi fort as well To reach Kondana village one can drive to Karjat and take a right after Shreeram PulgtgtgtAttractions Buddhist sculptures stupa viharas chaityasTrekking level EasyDuration 1 dayHow to get there Nearest station is Karjat from there take the bus to Khandpe Ask to be dropped off at Kondana cavesHarishchandragad trekAs you ascend 4650 feet to this majestic fort yoursquoll traverse paths rich in medieval loremdashfrom ancient Shaiva temples to tales of Maratha conquests Experience the thrill of exploring the sixthcentury Harishchandreshwar temple marvel at the Kedareshwar cave and the shivling it houses in the middle of an icecold pool of water The shivling is surrounded by the remains of four pillars said to symbolise each of the four yugas There is also a beautiful lake called Saptatirta PushkariniThe Harishchandragad trek stands out as one of the most challenging in the Western Ghats and will require a rope and carabiner along with other basic trekking equipment Starting from Khireshwar village the trek begins with a 5km walk from Khubi phata approximately an hour and a half from the bus dropoff pointgtgtgtAttractions Caves sixthcentury temple lakeTrekking level Difficult to ModerateDuration Twothree hoursHow to get there Kalyan from there catch an ST bus toward AlephataTo Book treksandtrailsorg and trekpandainAadrai jungle trekHike through Sahyadrirsquos pristine forests uncover hidden waterfalls explore ancient caves and enjoy sweeping valley views in the Aadrai jungle trek in Malshej Ghat Pune district The trek offers a fantastic drive past Malshej Ghat with hundreds of overflowing waterfalls including the Kalu waterfall the highest and largest in this region Immerse yourself in the local history and culture at the ninecentury Nageshwar temple and caves where a king is said to have built this shrine to Shiva The temple also features a rare relief sculpture of a sleeping Vishnu Sturdy trekking shoes are a must on this 6km trail with slippery paths The trek starts from Khireshwar village providing a glimpse of rural life On the way to Malshej Ghat enjoy viewpoints overlooking Naneghat Bhairavgad Thidbi village the old Malshej Ghat route MTDC Malshej Ghat and Pimpal Joga dam The trail is located 140 km from Mumbai and 130 km from PunegtgtgtAttractions Waterfalls caves valleys 9thcentury templeTrekking level Easy Guide is recommendedDuration 1 day amp 1 nightHow to get there Kalyan from there catch an ST bus toward AlephataTo book treksandtrailsorg and trekhieverscomVisapur trekThe Visapur trek in Pune district offers a perfect blend of nature history and a workout whether yoursquore a newbie or a seasoned trekker Wander the serenetrail to the Visapur fortrsquos ruins built between 1713 and 1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire Enjoy the cool mist of the monsoon waterfalls the enchanting views of the lush plateau as well as Lohagad Tikona and Tung forts The base for this trek is located in Bhaje village close to Lonavla It is mostly flat terrain but the trail gets steeper as you trek further into the forest There are a few sections with loose rocks so concentrate on the path for sure footinggtgtgtAttractions Waterfall trail panoramic views from the plateauTrekking level ModerateDuration 1 DayHow to get there Drive down the MumbaiPune Expressway towards Lonavla till Malavali station then head straight to Bhaje villageTo book treksandtrailsorg