Top Things to Know Before You Go to Ghanghad Fort Trek

Top Things to Know Before You Go to Ghanghad Fort Trek

Ghangad is a fort located in the Sahyadri mountain range, situated amidst a dense forest in the village of Ekole. This particular fort holds a special place in the heart of Maratha warriors, as it was conquered by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj along with the forts of Visapur and Lohagad.  The height of the Ghanghad Fort is 3,000 feet. This fort is almost 300 years old. Ekole village is located at a distance of 30 km from Lonavala.

How to Reach Ghanghad Fort

By Train

Lonavala is the nearest railhead to reach Ghanghad Fort. Ekole is the base village to reach the Ghanghad Fort and the distance from Lonavala is 30 km. One can take a private auto to reach here directly. Many express trains halt at Lonavala, so once you reach there, take a private vehicle to reach the base or take a local bus for Ekole village but the frequency is too low.

By Road

The Mumbai-Pune Express Highway will take you to the exit of Lonavala, and from there, take the Bhushidam-Tiger Point road to reach the base village of the fort. You will have to take a private auto from Lonavala station to reach directly to the fort.

My Experience of Trekking to Ghanghad Fort

My friend and I decided to go on a trek to Ghanghad Fort near Lonavala on a weekday. We started early in the morning so that we could catch the sunrise at Lonavala Ghat. the base village of the Ghanghad fort was approximately 40 km from Lonavala. Since it was a weekday, we hardly saw any other trekkers on our way. It was just the three of us, and there was a peaceful silence throughout the forest. It's always better to travel in your own vehicle, which saves you time. Once we reached the base village, Ekole, we parked our bikes and started heading towards the fort.

The morning started with a Sunrise view of Lonavala

Amazing roads will take you to Ghanghad Fort

View of the Ghanghad Fort from the base village Ekole

The fort was visible from the base village, and the initial route was not as tough as the human trail was clearly visible. As we started our trek, we came across a small Shivling of Lord Shiva and the stone carving of Garjadevi Mata. The route continued through dense forest and opened up to a beautiful view of the valley. At some point, markings were placed in the proper direction. The route was wide and clearly visible. After walking for an hour, we came across another small temple of Waghjai.

Shivling at Ghanghad Fort in the middle of the forest

Holy pillars at the Ghanghad Fort

Waghjai Temple of Ghanghad Fort

It took us one hour to reach the main entrance of the fort. A small bastion was made towards the entrance, and once we crossed it, we came across the difficult patch of the trek. An iron ladder was installed on the edge to climb uphill, which was quite risky. However, with proper safety and precaution, one could easily climb it. One person at a time is the thumb rule while crossing this patch. On the route, we came across a few water tanks that were used for drinking purposes in the early times. There was a small water body next to the ladder. Another 10 minutes and we were on the summit of the Ghanghad Fort. It gave us a surrounding view of Tung Fort, TailBaila, Visapur Fort, and Lohagad Fort. When you conquer a fort, happiness has no limit. If you are a new trekker, then you should definitely visit this fort.

Iron ladder to climb to reach the summit of the fort

View of Tail Baila Fort from Ghanghad Fort summit

Though the trek was challenging, the stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys made it all worth it. The beauty of the fort mesmerized us, and it was an unforgettable experience.

Ideal Time to Visit Ghanghad Fort

Ghanghad Fort is situated in the Sahyadri forest near Lonavala. During the monsoon season, many trekkers visit the fort to experience its lush greenery, dense fog, and rainfall. However, it is important to take extra precautions while climbing during this time as the route can become slippery. The monsoon season is the best time to visit Sahyadri as it transforms into a beautiful holiday destination.

Winter months are considered the best time for Sahyadri treks as the climate is pleasant and ideal for a tent stay at the fort. I recommend visiting during this season for the best experience.

During summertime, it is not advisable to trek as it can be quite challenging due to the heat. Therefore, you will hardly find any trekkers visiting the fort during this time. You can plan night trekking at this time.

Things to Know Before You Do This Trek

• Always read the history of any place before you go. It will help you understand the emotions and feelings related to that place.
• Keep your bag loaded with energy bars and water since trekking requires lots of energy.
• In case of emergency you can use water from the water tank near the Iron ladder. It is clean and drinkable.
• Avoid trekking in the afternoon time so start early and leave early.
• There are no shacks like other forts for food and water and shops are also not available at the base.
• Do not litter the area around the fort.