The Western Ghats is older than the Himalayas, stretching through the Indian States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Read on to discover the excellent day hikes in the Western Ghats.
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Where is the Western Ghats?
Parallel to the western coast of the Indian Peninsula, the Western Ghats finds another local name, Sahyadri Mountain Range, rather ‘the Great Escarpment of India’. Among the 39 areas that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, four such hotspots fall in Maharashtra. This ancient mountain range affects the Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting the monsoon winds that flow from the southwest during late Summer.
Why Should You Visit the Western Ghats of Maharashtra?
In this article, we will discuss why you should visit the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, how to reach there, and the best day hikes in the Western Ghats.
More than 350 forts were left behind by the mighty Maratha Empire, on top of hills that can only be hiked. From the dangerous 80-degree vertical stairs to soothing green jungle hikes, the Western Ghats of Maharashtra revel in unexpected bends in the otherwise chaotic bits of the next big cities.
Best Day Hikes in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra
On a weekend getaway from either Mumbai or Pune, find comfort in the picturesque Western Ghats dotting Maharashtra with short hikes that can challenge you. Here are the 6 best day hikes close to Mumbai or Pune.
Kalsubai Trek – The Highest Peak in Maharashtra
Starting point: Bari Village
Trek distance: 3 km
At 5,400 ft, Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra. Getting to the summit temple of Kalsubai Devi requires climbing four narrow iron ladders on vertical rock faces. Throughout the journey, splashing waterfalls and the panorama of the surrounding forts like Harihargad, Harishchandragad, and Ratangad will lead you through sparse grasslands and green forest routes.
But above all, the legend is that a beautiful young girl named Kalsubai admired these mountains. She had the sweet notion of curing and helping villagers and animals alike. One clear day, she left for the summit and never returned. A temple was commemorated on the mountainside in her memory.
Harihar Fort Trek: One of the Most Dangerous Treks in India
Starting point: Kotamwadi Village
Trek distance: 3.4 km
An 80-degree staircase carved out of mountain rocks! Located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, Harihar Fort Trek is certainly for the bravehearts! Here are the two divisions of the trek.
First, Kotamwadi Village to the plateau, covering 2.4 km, through the meandering grassland and the distant view of Bhaskargad Fort, Anjaneri Fort, Brahmagiri, and Utwad Fort. Then comes the iconic one-kilometre-long 80-degree vertical steps; the most challenging part of the trek.
The hill from the bottom gives the impression of a rectangular shape, yet it was built on the foundation of the triangular prism of rock from the Yadava dynasty. And from atop the fort, the 360-degree view of the Sahyadri Range greets you to the Western Ghats.
Brahmagiri Trek
Starting point: Trimbakeshwar
Trek distance: 3 km
Trimbakeshwar is a quaint hill station in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, surrounded by three hills: Brahmagiri, Nilgiri, and Kalagiri. Religiously bound, with ashrams, Hindu temples, and a peaceful demeanor. One of the best day-hikes in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra is the Brahmagiri Trek, which takes you to the origin of the Godavari River at 4,259 ft (1298m). The river flows for a small distance here and moves underground only to reappear again at Gangadwar.
The hike is a series of vertical stairs that can appear fortuitous at first, until it transforms into a steeper walk in a thrilling uphill. The monkeys wait in numbers on the edges, before the narrow path opens up to a broader pasture. And from up there, the Western Ghats will be all around you.
Rajmachi Trek to the Twin Forts
Starting point: Udhewadi Village
Trek distance: 5 km/12 km
Approachable from both ends of Lonavala and Karjat, Rajmachi trek connects climbing to two different forts in one go; Manaranjan fort at 2,510 ft and Shriwardhan Fort at 2,710 ft. These forts hold witness to legendary battles between the Marathas and the Mughals. Only in the 19th century the British took over the forts.
Along the way, get awed by the views of Valvan Dam, Tungarli Dam, and Duke’s Nose towards the end. And if you are there just around the monsoons, you might as well witness Kotaldhar Waterfall falling fiercely.
Trail 1: Tungarali Dam to Udhewadi (12 km). This route is covered from Lonavala. Although it’s much longer in distance, this trail is much easier to climb.
Trail 2: Kondiwade Village to Udhewadi (5 km). Contrary to the Lonavala route, the Karjat trail has a steeper climb, starting with the caves & waterfalls of Khondane. But either way, at Rajmachi, the fireflies snort out in the late evenings.
Harishchandragad Trek
Starting point: Khireshwar, Pachnai, and Walhivale/Belpada Village
One of the most challenging day hikes in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra is the Harishchandragad Trek in the Ahmednagar district. The reason for its high-end popularity is certainly Konkan Kada (Konkan Cliff), a 1,800 ft high vertical and concave fall. But of course, the historically relevant Harishchandragad fort is a relic from the 6th century from the rulings of the Kalchuri dynasty. And the caves around have mostly been carved out in the 11th century.
Many such structures are Kedareshwar cave, the monolithic Harishchandragad temple, and a well-built lake on the East of the temple named Saptateertha Pushkarni. Atop the Harishchandragad Plateau, get ahold of the view of the Naneghat region from Taramati Peak, the fourth-highest peak in Maharashtra.
Trek to Torna Fort – The Highest Hill Fort in Pune
Starting point: Velhe Village
Trek Distance: 2.4 km
Imagine hiking to the highest hill fort in the Pune district at 4,603 ft, along soothing flower beds, ancient temples, water cisterns, and a gigantic ridge connecting to Rajgad Fort.
Torna Fort shines at the core of Maratha history, for it was the first fort to be captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1646 when he was 16 years old. For its massiveness, it is also known as Prachandagad (‘Prachanda’ meaning massive and ‘had’ meaning fort).
On Torna Fort, the formation of Budhla Machi has a unique structural significance. In the native Marathi language, it simply means the vessel in the shape of an oil container upside down. While you are on this trek in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, you can enjoy the view of some famous forts like Raigad, Lingana, Purandar, Sinhagad, Raireshwar, Pratapgad, and the Mahabaleshwar mountain range.
When is the Best Time for Trekking in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra?
The monsoon transforms the Western Ghats into an ideal trekking destination. As the rainy season arrives, the forest, meadows, and waterfalls come alive, offering a breathtaking experience. Despite the challenges, embarking on treks in the Western Ghats during this season brings substantial rewards, with the entire region flourishing in vibrant greenery and offering captivating views that are truly a feast for the eyes. So, mid-June to September would be the best time for hiking in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
How to Reach Maharashtra
To explore the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, you may decide to choose Mumbai or Pune as your base destinations. Most of the hikes are in the 100 km radius of these two megacities. You can reach the base of the treks on a bus or in a shared cab from Mumbai or Pune. Here is how you can reach Maharashtra:
By Air: Chhatrapati International Airport is the international airport in Mumbai, connecting various global and local cities such as New York, Singapore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Delhi. Maharashtra has other international airports in Pune and Nagpur, linked to major Indian cities. Domestic airports in Mumbai, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Pune, and Nagpur provide easy access to taxi services.
By Rail: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the central railway station in Maharashtra, serves as the headquarters of Indian Central Railways. Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Amravati, and Kolhapur also feature significant railway stations with excellent connectivity, allowing travelers to take cabs to their final destinations.
By Road: For those preferring road travel, Maharashtra maintains strong road connections with cities like Delhi, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. Intrastate and interstate bus services, whether government or privately operated, offer convenient transportation options.
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