Trek to Raigad fort

The travel destination this time was Raigad fort at Pacchad in Raigad district with one day one night plan.

I left my home at 8:00 pm to reach Panvel and was accompanied by some of my colleagues on the way.

We were group of seven and decided to assemble at Panvel station at 10:45 pm on 29^th June 2015 and then reach Panvel ST depot to board a bus towards pacchad. The bus originating point was Borivili ST depot and its estimated time arrival at Panvel ST depot was 11:40 pm.

We reached Panvel ST depot at 11:25 pm and were waiting eagerly for the bus. Generally the bus to pacchad halts on stop No. 4 at Panvel ST depot for 5-10 minutes approximately, sometimes it may halt nearby this stop if some other bus occupies its halting stop.

In the mean time we had light snacks; bus arrived at 11:50 pm and halted for five minutes. We couldn’t enjoy much of the views from scenic drives across the route as due to night journey. The bus reached Mahad at 2:40 am and halted here till 4:00 am before continuing the journey ahead. This bus halts here till 4:00 am and is the first bus towards Pacchad from Mahad. 
Check the bus route below.

We got ample of break time here and had refreshments in the early morning mist. There is a canteen facility available at the bus stop.

Signboard placed at the divertion of main route

We reached Pacchad at 4:40 am, the bus dropped us in the midst of road and there was complete darkness with a small sign board visible on the other side of road indicating the direction to Raigad fort, with conductor stating that start ascending after some time as there was darkness and roads were not visible. The bus dropping point on google maps is 18°14'11.04"N,73°25'12.66"E which is at an altitude of 1047ft. Do take a torch if you plan to reach early.

You would hear the sounds of birds chirping during morning time it’s awesome enough to break your sleep inertia, the most beautiful sound I ever heard was that of Malabar Whistling thrush.

We then followed the route that leads to the steps and slowly the daylight made the roads ahead visible. It is 2km route from pacchad bus stop till the steps that lead to the fort. The steps are well carved and provide you a good grip even during rainy seasons. The steps location on google maps is 18.237939, 73.427539 which is at an altitude of 1370 ft. ASL(Above Sea Limit). The Raigad fort is at an altitude of 2800ft. ASL so you just need to ascend 1430ft. ASL through steps. The base village and the nearby area is a hilly area with an average altitude of 1300 ft. ASL.

The ropeway service is available if you don’t want to ascend via steps, but you would miss the  waterfalls that are adjacent to the steps that lead to the Raigad fort.

View from around 2000 ft.

During our journey most of the time fort was covered by clouds. There is a waterfall that you can enjoy on the way it’s almost after 700 steps and we had lots of fun over here at both times while ascending as well as descending. While descending the waterfall was at its best as it was raining heavily during this time. The day was awesome with waves of rain throughout the day and the climate was exquisite.

 

Mahadarwaja (Main Entrance)

Statue of Shivaji Maharaj

Houses of warriors

We started at 5:00 am and reached the fort at 9:30 am. The fort is very big and it’s great to explore the various points over here. Various points were tak mak point,rajgad killa.

View from takmak point

View from takmak point

View from takmak point

View from takmak point

We had an hour rest at tak-mak point which was completely covered with clouds during our visit, later while departing some of the clouds disappeared giving a glimpse of the scenic views from above.

We then started descending and took an off-route from the tak mak point instead of going through the long way route to steps. It was thirty minutes off-way route that later connects to the steps.

There are around two to three waterfalls that you can enjoy if you plan your visit during rainy seasons, we had hours of fun in the waterfalls and reached the base village at 3:00 pm.

We expected some private car services at the base village while descending and were lucky to found it till Mahad with Rs. 40 per head. The car dropped us at Mahad ST depot at 3:50 pm. If you don’t find the private service then you need to walk back 2 kms till the bus stop which is on the main road.

There are buses from Mahad ST depot towards Panvel, Borivili and Vasai these all are interconnecting buses halting at Mahad. There is only one bus that originates from Mahad ST depot for panvel and is at 6:00 pm, Later there are many interconnecting buses till 1:00 pm.

You can also avail the train journey from Mangaon to Mumbai, there are many buses from Mahad to Mangaon. If you are travelling from Mumbai it’s better to avail a bus service as the bus directly drops you at Pacchad. The train journey is tiresome as train drops you at Mangaon station then you need to travel to Mahad ST depot and then again board another interconnecting bus to Pacchad.

We boarded a bus towards panvel at 4:00 pm from Mahad ST depot, it was bus originating from Chiplun towards Thane. The bus had many unoccupied seats   and ticket cost was Rs. 140 till panvel and 175 till thane. There are also private car services available outside Mahad ST depot till Panvel at  Rs.180 per head.

The bus dropped us at Panvel ST depot at 7:30 pm thus ending the overnight trek and the last trek of this summer vacation.

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