Kalavantin Durg-One Of The Dangerous Fort In The World

KALAVANTIN DURG-ONE OF THE DANGEROUS FORT IN THE WORLD

KALAVANTIN HEIGHT- 2300 FEET

ACTIVITY LEVEL- DIFFICULT 

TIME REQUIRED TO TREK- 3 HOURS
BASE VILLAGE-THAKURWADI (PANVEL)

ABOUT KALAVANTIN DURG

Another faint hearted trek after Dhak Bahiri was Kalavantin Durg. In Marathi language Durg means Fort. This fort lies near Mumbai for its danger-ridden path and has already lost several live; nonetheless, it still looks attractive.

Kalavantin Durg is a 2250 feet high summit located in the Western Ghats, near the Prabalgad fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantincha Sulka, or Kalavantin Pinnacle. It is one of the popular trekking destination. According to local guides, it was built for queen Kalavantin in the 15^th century, around the same time as neighboring Prabalgad fort. This is one of the dangerous fort in the world.

HOW TO REACH KALAVANTIN DURG

Thakurwadi is the base village in Panvel region where trek starts. One can reach Thakurwadi in following ways.

By Air

Nearest airport is Pune and Mumbai International airport. From here one can hire self-drive car or can travel through following way.

By Road

Panvel is 140 km from Pune and 80 km from Mumbai. Sion-Panvel highway that takes you to Panvel from Mumbai. Regular buses available from Mumbai and Pune towards Panvel. From Panvel another bus to Thakurwadi village. It is  14 km from Panvel.

By Train

Panvel is the nearest railway station on Mumbai Harbour line, walk further 5 min to reach state transport bus stand and take transport bus to Thakurwadi village. Bus will take around 30 minutes to reach Thakurwadi. Bus fare is normal between 30-40 INR.

Cabs are also an option to reach Thakurwadi village. Per person will be charges 100-150 INR.

HISTORY OF KALAVANTIN DURG

Kalavantin Durg’s history is often mixed with that of the nearby Prabalgad Fort. To find the history you can refer to my previous blog on Prabalgad Fort.

In the year 1826, Umaji Naik, a freedom fighter and his associates were believed to have made the Fort as their home for a brief period of time.

TREK TO KALAVANTIN DURG

Coming to my experience, so most awaited day had arrived. It was time to give this positive energy a direction. Positive energy to trek to Kalavantin Durg, positive energy to do some adventurous trek. A trek to top of Kalavantin Durg is considered one of the most challenging and toughest ones in the Western Ghats. One can see the glimpse of Kalavantin along with Prabalgad Fort from panvel highway itself. Thakurwadi is base point where one needs to get down from bus or cab. From base one can take left and walk for further 15 minute to reach base point. Private vehicles has access to reach up to base point. At base point there is small hut that sells some snacks and water. This base point has some parking space on paid basis, parking here is safe.

INITIAL EASY TRAIL THAT STARTS RIGHT AFTER BASE POINT

Route starts from right of that hut with simple and easy trail. After walk of around 10 minutes, there is check-point that charges 50 INR per person as entry to this pinnacle. One not need to worry about the route, because the marking is available throughout the trek. The route is Zig-Zag with little ascend that goes from rocky trail and treeline for quarter of the way up. Try to start the trek as early as possible, because it’s difficult to do trek in heat when sun heats up the rock. After trek for around one and a half hour, a plateau with vast surface comes. This is Prabalmachi village with small hotel that provides home-made food. Locals hike this huge distance daily due to some work purpose. This is the plateau where camping is taken to it's next level.

KALAVANTIN DURG STANDING ON LEFT AND PRABALGAD AT RIGHT. GLIMPSE FROM PRABALMACHI PLATEAU

SMALL TREKKER FROM VILLAGE GOING DOWN

There is small temple of Hanuman and Ganesh on route. After Prabalmachi village (2 km from Thakurwadi), the hike route diverges in to two paths: the shorter one towards kalavantin Durg, and the longer one towards Prabalgad Fort. You don’t need to confuse here, because marking is available here. After walk of 10 minutes trail opens up in to rock. Be very careful here. It is worth the climb up, when you see the expensive view from top. The route to Kalavantin is a roughly 60 degree incline, and involves rock-cut steps that are as high as 2 feet. After half an hour trek from Prabalmachi village, we reach the col between Kalavantin and Prabalgad fort. From here there are rock cut stairs which are quite steep and have bigger height. These rock cut stairs are easy to climb unless one has vertigo or fear of height. Climbing stairs in rainy season is tricky. So, we should take upmost care. There are some news of deaths from this place. One person and one step at a time is thumb rule to cross this trail. Don’t be in over confidence, and don’t take this trek lightly. This is one of the toughest trail of this Fort.  After climbing these giant steps slowly for some time, we were almost at the top of pinnacle. The last part of the trek was still to negotiate, “Rock climbing”. There is one rope tied to big round shape rock from summit that goes down to 30 feet. One has to hold this rope and slowly move upward. On top there is Orange flag and nothing else. One could see Prabalmachi plateau from the top and Prabalgad standing behind. One can also see breathe taking view of Matheran, chanderi, Peb, Irshal and Karnala Forts. Don’t try to take selfie from any corner of the edges. At most safety is important than selfie.

RISKY TERRAIN OF KALAVANTIN FORT

KALAVANTIN SUMMIT POINT WITH ORANGE FLAG

Kalavantin and Prabalgad is one of those trek which is also famous for its fireflies night trekking, and you may find good amount of crowd on weekends in night. At Prabalmachi plateau enough space is available for camping and it is safe.

Descending down from any trek is easy, but we had to pass rope part first along with rock cut steps. Somehow we managed to get down at Prabalmachi plateau and then another one and a half hour, we are down at base village Thakurwadi.

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT KALAVANTIN DURG

Kalavantin fort can be visit throughout the year. Ideal time to visit here is post monsoon from October to February. This time is also famous for its fireflies activity with night camping.

Monsoon is not suggested to access the trek, because the rocks become slippery and several live has been lost here while climbing from rocky terrain. Most of the time trek remains close in heavy monsoon.

In summer sun heats the rock due to which it become difficult to trek.

WHERE TO STAY IF VISITING KALAVANTIN DURG?

There is no stay option at the top of summit, but yes there are

various home-stays available at Prabalmachi plateau. If you are travelling with tour operator, then they will arrange your accommodation.

They will also help you for tent stay.

On the distance of 15 km from Kalavantin, there are hotels and resorts available at Karjat ranging as per deluxe room to normal.

If you have own camping gears then one can pitch the tent at Prabalmachi plateau.

ONE CAN CONTACT ON THIS NUMBER FOR HOME-STAY AND FOOD

Home-made food is best source to enjoy your meal after trek. One should need to try the taste of Nachani Bhakri. 

Veg and Non Veg food is also available.  

THINGS TO EXPLORE NEAR KALAVANTIN DURG

• Kalavantin Trek
• Prabalgad Fort
• Prabalgad camping
• Irshalgad
• Louisa Point
• Matheran Hill station

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE VISITING KALAVANTIN DURG

• Try to avoid going in monsoon as rock becomes slippery to climb. Several live has been lost here.
• Try to start the trek early morning because sunlight heat ups the rocks in the afternoon.
• Parking at base is chargeable. Two wheeler-30 INR and Four wheeler-80 INR along with 50 INR entry fees for trek.
• Don’t try to take selfie while climbing from rocky patch of this trek.
• Carry proper hiking shoes with supportive sole.
• One can pitch their own tent also at base village.
• Do not drink on fort and do not litter the area around.