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Trek to one of the largest forts in Maharashtra!
Rajgad is one of the biggest forts in Maharashtra. Built on Murumb Devacha Dongar, it was the capital of the Maratha Empire where Chhatrapati Shivaji stayed for 26 years. At a height of 1375 M, the fort is rich in history and was built with intricate detail to the architecture. The trek to Rajgad offers striking views of the Sahyadris, along with surrounding forts and fort of Rajgad itself which has so much history to tell.
Gunjavane is the base village for Rajgad is located 60 kms away from Pune. This trek can be completed in a day or two depending on when you start.
This article lays down all the information pertaining to the Rajgad Fort trek and is your go to guide when planning this trail!
There are a number of trails leading to the top of Rajgad. In this article, we will explore the most famous one, the one starting from Gunjavane village. Gunjavane is a small village with very few establishments. The trail starts from behind a hotel named Suvela Garden.
You will be met with an entrance gate a little ahead. From here, the trail is well demarcated and the chances of getting lost are minimal. The initial parts of the trail takes you through a field with hills all around you. After 20 minutes, the trail starts ascending through shifting patches of forest and clearings. You will be trekking on loose mud and rocks in this section so ensure you are wearing good trekking shoes for maximum grip.
Continue on this trail for 25 minutes before you arrive at a plateau. From here, you can see the Rajgad Fort standing in all its glory on top of the hill. There is a small shop here where you can buy refreshments.
Start trekking towards the fort from the plateau. You will see the trail gradually ascending. The ascent will take you 30-40 minutes after which you will arrive at a ridge. Flower beds can be found here in the monsoon and post monsoon months. The colour of the flowers makes for the perfect contrast against the green of the meadows.
Follow the trail on the ridge and you will arrive at a rock patch. This section of the trail is steep so ensure you are extremely cautious while climbing. Railings have been put in place for support all the way till Chor Darwaaza.
You will arrive at a small entrance at the end of the steep section. This is the Chor Darwaaza. A set of stairs from here will take you to Padmavati Machi. As you arrive here, you are welcomed with grand views of the Sahyadris and the valley below. Take a moment to soak the views in before you start exploring the top of the fort.
If you continue trekking on the Padmavati Machi, you will arrive at the Padmavati temple where trekkers can also camp for the night or stay inside the temple. You can also find ruins of canons, water cisterns, tombs and storehouses on this Machi. Explore it all before you reach the end of Padmavati Machi. Here, the trail splits into 3 different pathways. The one on the left will take you to Suvela Machi, the one on the right goes to Sanjivani Machi and the one straight ahead of you will take you to Balekilla.
Sanjivani Machi is a long double fortified wall for almost 2.5 kms. It is truly an architectural marvel and something you should not miss out on! Towards the end of Sanjivani Machi, there is an exit towards Alu Darwaaza which connects to the ridge to Torna Fort.
Balekilla is a steep ascent away from the end of Padmavati Machi. It can be a tricky portion to navigate. Ropes have been tied in place to assist in navigating the slippery and steep rock sections. Be cautious as you tread this section.
You will see the Maha Darwaaza and Chandrakor pond before reaching Balekilla. Upon reaching Balekilla, you are blessed with panoramic views of the Sahyadris and famous forts like Torna and Pratapgad which can be seen in the distance.
On your descent back from Balekilla, you will find a trail descending to your right which will take you directly to Suvela Machi. Continue trekking on the Suvela Machi to explore the Hanuman temple, Chilkhati Buruj, and Hathi Prastar. You can even climb up Hathi Prastar to get mesmerising views of the landscape around you. Further ahead on the Machi are views to Bhatghar dam and the expansive valleys below you which make for a tremendous sight!
Return to the Hanuman temple and a small door in a rock will take you straight to Padmavati Machi. You can take some rest here before heading back to Gunjavane village.
1. Views from the Top of Rajgad Fort
The views of the surrounding mountains, ridges and valleys below is absolutely breathtaking and will leave you wanting for more. The lush green colour of the mountains with mist and rolling clouds make for the perfect scenery after a difficult climb!
2. Rajgad Fort - An Architectural Marvel
The intricate detail and strategy with which the fort has been built is striking. You will be left wondering how they managed to build such vast structures at a time when there was no machinery to aid the process. Sanjivani Machi in particular is a spectacular sight with its double fortified walls.
3. Ridge to Torna Fort
The ridge connecting Rajgad to Torna fort makes for a beautiful view in itself. Even if you are not walking the distance, make your you get a peek from Alu Darwaaza before you make your way back.
1. Steep Ascent to Chor Darwaaza
The ascent from the ridge to Chor Darwaaza over the rocks is quite steep and can be challenging if you are not fit. The rocks could also be slippery during the monsoon months so ensure you step ahead with caution.
2. Ascent to Balekilla
The ascent up to Balekilla is steep and slippery over rock surfaces. This section of the trail has to be navigated steadily and with caution to avoid injuries. Ropes have been put in place to aid the process so ensure you make full use of them.
Rajgad Fort trek is a level 1 trek on the Bikat Rating Scale.
About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.
According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek rated one will be a good place to start.
If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.
A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3.
From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.
Rajgad Fort trek can be done in any season with each season offering different things. During the monsoon, you get to witness the lush green colour of the mountains and the flower beds are in full bloom. During winters and summers, the landscape might look drier but will give you clear views of the surrounding forts.
Gunjavane village can be reached by a private vehicle or by public transport.
If you are reaching Gunjavane by public transport, you can take a bus from Pune to Velhe and get down at Margasani which is 6.6 kms away from Gunjavane. From here, you will get shared taxis to Gunjavane.
You can also get a direct bus from Swargate in Pune to Gunjavane. The frequency of these buses is very low.
There is no network connectivity at the base village or on the trail. Your phone might catch a few bars here and there on the top. The top of Balekilla gets signal from all major operators.
2. Are there food stalls on the trail?
There are a number of small restaurants in Gunjavane that serve food. You can get food packed from here or carry your own food. You can also fill your bottles here. It is advisable to carry your own food and water from home.
3. Do I need a permit for this trek?
No, there are no permits required for this trek.
4. How long does the trek take?
It depends on when you start your trek. The trek can be completed in a day if you start your trek before sunrise and reach the top by 10 am. It takes at least half a day to explore the top so ensure you account for it. You can also start later in the day and camp on top if you wish to. You can camp near the Padmavati temple or even stay inside it. Carry your own camping equipment if you wish to stay the night. A few hotels in the base village also provide tents for rent.
You can also stay the night in Gunjavane. There are a few small hotels that offer basic rooms.
5. Is this trek for beginners?
You can do this trek if you have an active lifestyle and a good fitness regimen. The trek is moderately difficult and can be challenging for beginners with a sedentary lifestyle and no prior trekking experience.
That’s all about the Rajgad Fort trek! Should you wish to know more or need help planning your weekend adventure to the Sahyadris, please feel free to reach out to our team.
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