Introduction
Mumbai, also called as the financial capital of India, lies on the Konkan coast on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. It is the capital of Maharashtra which attracts almost 6 million tourists per year, making it 30th most visited location worldwide. It not only offers various tourist attractions but is also famous for its outdoor activities such as trekking. .
As Edmund Hillary famously said, “It is not the mountains we conquer but ourselves.” Trekking is intended for those adventure seekers who simply enjoy to spend some time outside watching the hypnotic and ever-changing pattern of nature, which enthrals you in a special way. Words cannot adequately express the peace that such a place brings to your mind and spirit. There are few things that can compare to the genuine exhilaration that comes from travelling and spending time in nature, with all of its untamed beauty and wilderness.
Kalsubai trek
In the Indian state of Maharashtra, there is a mountain called Kalsubai that is a part of the Western Ghats. The highest point in Maharashtra lies on its peak, which is located at an elevation of 1646 metres (5400 feet). The Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary includes the mountain range. It is frequented all year long by ardent trekkers, followers of the Kalsubai temple, and lovers of wildlife.
It provides imposing views of Maharashtra’s highest point, Bhandardara. On a new moon day, the milky way is clearly visible from here. In the Sahyadri region, the Kalsuba trek is highly well-liked. With a height of 5,400 feet, it is the tallest hill in Maharashtra and is close to both Pune and Mumbai.
The walk offers an incredible variety of natural landscapes, including waterfalls, woodlands, grasslands, and old forts. From Bari village, it takes 3 hours to get to Kalsubai mountain. At the village’s base, it is possible to arrange for food, and hikers can buy water and lemonade.
Dhak Bahiri Trek
To go to the Dhak Bahiri cave, which is on the Dhak mountain in the Jambhavali region, one must first climb a col, then proceed along a scarp, and ultimately ascend vertically with a nearly 70-degree gradient. If you make a slight error, you can end up in one of the Sahayadri Valleys.
The trip is quite well-liked by Mumbaikars and Punkers looking for a unique experience, despite being so dangerous. There are several ways to reach the trip, the two main ones being through Sandashi Village and Jambhavali. About 12 kilometres separate Sandashi from Karjat. Karjat has excellent train and road connections to Mumbai and Pune. One can travel to Sandashi by local bus from Karjat.
The closest international airports are those in Pune and Mumbai. This area is close to the proposed Navi Mumbai international airport, which will soon be reachable from all of India. From the airport, one can either rent a car themselves or take the route described below.
Rajmachi Trek
Rajmachi Trek is tucked between the well-known hill towns of Lonavala and Karjat. The journey offers trekkers the opportunity to climb two forts beginning from the same base hamlet of Udhewadi and can be approached from either the Lonavala side or another side, namely the Karjat side. Manaranjan Fort is located at 2510 feet and looks west, whereas Shriwardhan Fort is located at 2710 feet and faces east.
The trail is much longer but easier to travel and gets you to the two forts if you go through Lonavala. Up till you reach Udhewadi, you will be travelling via mud trails along the forest section. The caves and waterfalls of Khondane are where the Kandala path begins. This climb is more difficult and goes through a tract of woodland before joining Udhewadi village. These forts were constructed by the Satavahanas, but Shivaji Maharaj, who took control of the fort in the fifteenth century, is credited with giving it its notoriety.
Shivaji Maharaj strengthened and enlarged the fort by erecting a number of buildings on its grounds. Battles between the Marathas and the Mughals have taken place at the forts. The British took control of it later in the 19th century.
Kanheri Caves Trail
Deeply tucked away in the serene settings of Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, is where Kanheri Caves may be found. There are a huge number of Buddhist caves at the summit. Kanheri, also known as Krishnagiri or Kanhagiri in an ancient inscription, is particularly famous for its black basaltic stone and literally means “black mountain” (Krishna means “black” and Giri is a mountain).
These caves provide insight into Buddhism’s growth and hold the distinction of having the most cave excavations from a single hill. They were excavated between the first century BC and the eleventh century AD, a period that saw the birth and fall of Buddhism. The majority of these caves are unadorned, single- or multiple-cell viharas, or monasteries, designed for basic living, learning, and meditation.
The majority of the decorative artwork was discovered during later digs, and in some cases it was added to previous caves. Five kilometres inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s entrance is where the caverns’ entrance is located. To get to the caverns, one can either drive their car, walk, take a bus, or ride a bicycle.
Shilonda Trail
This is another another route located in Mumbai’s stunning Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Shilonda Trail, a historic tribal town, takes you through a moderate walkway, a dense forest, and a couple of lovely streams before it ends at the national park’s farthest point.
The hiking route is quite simple, but because of the distance you must cover, it could be challenging for someone who is not used to walking great distances.
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