Trek: Torna Rajgad Range trek
Base village: Metpillare village
Height: 4600ft above seal level
Grade: Moderate
Endurance: Tough
Trek coordinator: Sahayadri Sanjivani Trekkers
Trek Leads: Shubham, Amol
Dates: 26th January 2026 (Starting on 25th January 2026 night)
Trekkers: 34
Epilogue:
This was one of range trek i always wanted to do, however was pending due multiple reasons. However I came across one trek plan from Sahayadri Sanjivani and enrolled for the one. Usually the trek is done in 2 days, however due to time constraints i decided for brief version of trek.
It was relaxed long 3 day weekend. On Sunday 25th January we gathered at Swami Narayan temple Dadar to board tempo traveler at Dadar TT at 9:30 pm.
We were 17 of us from Mumbai and 18 trekkers were expected to join from Pune in another bus.
Total 35 trekkers and 3 trek guides.
After comfortable ride on Pune Expressway and a halt, we reached base village at around 2:45 pm. Pune batch has already reached the venue. There we were informed that there is slight change in the plan. Instead of Rajgad to Torna, we would go other way around. Being 26th Jan , there was rush expected on Rajgad. Hence the change in the plan.
After refreshing and breakfast of poha and tea, we reached the Metpillare village by 4:30 which is one base village for Torna fort.
After brief instructions and introductions we started the trek by 4:55 am.
It was steep ascend on screed and rocky route. After 45 mins there were railings on the route. It reaches upto Konkan darwaza of Torna fort. We reached atop at darwaza at 6 am.
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| Mengai devi temple at Torna |
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| It was Republic day |
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| Group photo atop Torna |
From there we moved inside the fort to Mengaidevi temple and rested for some time for all trekkers to reach. It was windy our there and hence very cold. By now our sweaty body has loosed the heat and were feeling very chilly.
Then after few group pics at Mengaidevi temple, we waited at Konkan darwaza to witness sunrise.
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| Konkan darwaza of Torna |
We could not explore the Zunzhar Macchi of Torna due to time constraints.
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| Konkan darwaza |
The sunrise was expected by 7:15 am. However due to slight foggy weather, the sunrise was not not clearly visible. Rajgad was slightly visible towering mightly over the foggy east horizon It was so windy our there and we were visibly shivering. Then giving hopes for sunrise, we started for Rajgad at 7:20 am.
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| Bhudla Macchi |
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| Buddla macchi fortified |
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| Rajgad wrapped in fog from Buddhla macchi |
Traversing through Budhla Macchi of Torna we climbed down the ladder route to reach the ridge towards Rajgad. It is steep descend with rocky traverse.
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| Ladder |
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| Group photo at base of Buddla macchi |
There are 20-25 small hills connected by ridge to traverse to reach Rajgad.
After walk for an hour and half, we reached the Kachru Mama house. It is the only house on the route. After resting for half an hour, we started again towards Rajgad.
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| Kachru mama's house |
Then we reached the road cuting the route by 10:30. There we rested for 20 mins to recharge ourselves.
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| Road in between |
Then started again on the somewhat steep ascend towards Rajgad. By now Rajgad was clearly visible with trekkers spotted top the fort. Then at 11:30 we reached the final lower point from where the steepest ascend towards Sanjivani macchi of Rajgad begins.
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| Rajgad now visible clearly |
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| Steep climb to Sanjivani macchi |
The final ascend is very steep around 45-50 degrees and reached at base of Sanjivani Machi at 12 pm.
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| At base of Sanjivani macchi |
We were literally drained traversing the final steep ascend. There we rested for other trekkers to reach us.
Then again we started the final laptop to circumvent Sanjivani macchi on east side to reach on fort by Alu Darwaza at 12:35 pm.
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| Sanjivani macchi east side |
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| Alu darwaza of Rajgad |
The Sanjivani macchi running southwards, is one of magnificent piece of defensive architecture with its multi layered walls.
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| Sanjivani macchi in Background |
After brief photography at Sanjivani Machi, were instructed to traverse upwards on fort from West walk of balekilla to reach Padmavati temple on Padmavati machi on north side of fort.
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| Balekilla in background |
We passed the route to Balekilla (fort top) and Suvella Macchi to reach Padmavati temple on Padmavati Macchi by 1:30 pm. The macchi has a lake too with fresh water tanks.
Suvella Macchi, which runs eastwards also has layered walls like Sanjivani. Balekilla, the topmost fortified part of fort is the highest point of Rajgad. Suvella Macchi along with Balekilla could not be explored due to time constraints .
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| Way to Suvella Macchi |
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| Way to Balekilla (Top of the fort) |
Balekilla in centre with narrow Suvella and Sanjivani macchi towards east and south and broad padmavati Macchi towards north is entire layout of Rajgad.
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| Map of Rajgad |
After having lunch along Padmavati temple we rested for some time. Then we started descend at 2:45 pm through Pali darwaza, we reached parking bay at 3:45 pm.
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| Padmavati temple |
There after refreshing we started homeward journey at 4:40 pm to reach Dadar TT Mumbai by 10:50 pm.
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| Parking bay at base overlooking Rajgad |
To sum up it was a wonderful trek with wonderful trekkers testing our endurance witnessing the mighty forts of Swarajya.
Looking at the grandeur of both these forts, I must say that history has grossly underreported the mighty visionary Maratha King.
Few points of advice to trekkers planning for this trek:
1) It is moderate grade trek with tough endurance....so beginners strictly avoid such trek.
2) It is advisable to carry at least 3-4 liters of water.
3) Carry a sleeping bag if possible....
4) The routes are confusing, hence do not try it without proper guide and climbing equipment's.
Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!
