Mahuli Fort Trek

Trek: Mahuli fort trek

Base village: Mahuli village near Asangaon

Height: 2800 feet

Grade: Medium
Trek Duration: 2.5 to 3 hrs one way

Trek coordinator: Vrangers

Trek lead: Mayur Shetye, Dipendra Mhatre

Trek Dates: June 2016

Base village Google Map Coordinates

Mahuli Fort - Route Map

Mahuli is fort near Mumbai. It is easily accessible from Asangaon railway station on central railway line of Mumbai suburban railway network.

We were in month of June and vrangers had planned for one day trek to Mahuli fort. Being saturday, a weekly off i chose to enrol for this monsoon trek.

As planned we all were to board a pre-notified early morning train and reach Asangaon station. There our trekking group was waiting for everyone to arrive. We were a group of 20 trekkers excluding coordinators. It usually takes around 20-30 minutes drive in rickshaw from Asangaon to reach Mahuli base. 

However for us once we reached Asangaon, we had a short walk to highway from where we boarded a ST bus to Mahuli village. Being so near to Mumbai, the roads still are in very bad shape. There at the local shack we had tea and breakfast. From here the fort was very seldomly visible due to cloud cover. Mahuli fort and its other sister forts for an unique distinct mountain structures which can be recognised easily. Mahuli is surrounded by other other small forts namely Bhandargad and Palasgad.

Mahuli - Ecotourism spot

Unlike other forts, Mahuli has been developed by state government as 'Eco- tourism' spot. There at the entrance near the arch, our trek lead Mayur gave us necessary instructions. Here we began our trek at around 8 am.

The Entrance Arch - The trek starting point

Trek Lead Mayur -  Fort Info & Instructions

Being eco tourism spot and rainy season, it was all greenery around. The route track were however muddy. Within few minutes of regular walk, we arrived at a small iron bridge on stream following from the Fort. After crossing the bridge the actual ascend begins. 

Iron bridge over the stream

Being rainy season, here it started raining heavily. To reach fort, one has to pass atop another small hillock. After brisk climb for 20 mins facing west, one has to turn towards right to climb the hillock. Here the route divides into two, one to the right climbs up to Mahuli fort and one to left eventually ends up in valley. Many trekkers happen to miss this turn and lose their track to get lost in jungle. As for me it was a cheerful group to be with. We having fun were making inroads through green cover towards fort.

Additionally on a trek you tend to meet new people from different and varied backgrounds who adds to your acquaintainces. Also we get to meet our old trek buddies here with lot more info on different treks they have been to. But one thing is important to note, that trekkers tend to have a similar spirit and enthusiasm in them which is contagious. They are the most exotovert, adaptable, accommodating and friendly bunch of all human folks on earth.

My Trek Mates

Then after 30 minutes of trekking, we get first glimpse of Mahuli fort. It was still at height which we have cover for. It was covered by thick clouds all the while we were climbing. There we took a break of around 20 mins. 

First Glimpse of the fort - wrapped in clouds

Still a closer look of the fortifications

Selfie time with trek mates - Myself and Sagar Rajankar

With cheerful Darsheet Gala

Our entire trek group

The route is straight and well defined from here on. One can see entire route to fort from here. Again we started with route getting more and more steeper, till we reached the fortifications of Mahuli fort.

Fortifications 

It was raining heavily by now and feeling very cold as we were all drenched in it. At this point, iron ladder is fixed to climb the fort walls.  The point at the ladder is steep and one has to be very careful here, and more so in rainy season as route becomes slippery in rainy season.

The Iron Ladder

After climbing the ladder we were to explore to the fort. It was all covered with cloudz and there was hardly anything visible. We all waited at point above ladder for all of our trekkers to reach. The fort just after entrancd has dense trees. We in that dense cloud cover reached for the mahadarwaja. 

Dense cloud and fog in the background

The cloud cover was so dense that the visibility was very low. The weather conditions were at extreme. The mahadarwaja or 'Forts Entrance' has been blowen away by British. It is the dead end here; so much that one could not enter or descend the fort through it. There are cave like structures along the mahadarwaza. They may be possibly the storage rooms. There we had our group selfie.

Group Selfie time at Mahadarwaja of Mahuli Fort

Caves Along Mahadarwaja

Caves 

So after exploring the fort for half an hour more, we sat on a flat table land for lunch. By now rains had stopped, but the cloud cover was still present hindering visibility. Everyone had carried their own lunch. So here we had multi cuisine lunch with few exotic foodstuffs.

Lunch spot 

We wanted to explore the fort more, but extreme climate prevented us from doing so.  Then after resting for half an hour we begun our return journey. But as it was weekend, there were many trekkers on the way to fort crowding the ladder point. So we had to wait to clear the human traffic. Till then had photo session at the mast flag on the entrance.  The fog prevented good clicks though. Moreover it had started drizzling again. Then we started again and as the route was pretty much clear to us by then, we covered much of it within less time.

At flag mast

Actually reason for us to hurry was the stream i mentioned earlier. It is dream of every trekker to end the trek by swimming or at least getting drenched in the streams. So till our other slower trek mates make up to the stream, we had a hearty swim in the stream. There was a small cement water block/ dam being made on the stream just below the iron bridge. This was may be for water harvesting purpose i suppose. But it added to our  joys. It provided us much essential depths to enable us to spread in water to clear our fatigues. It was to me one of the best part of the trek. This as one of the advantage of a rainy trek; it provides for both trek as well as swimming sessions. How thrilling it was. Moments later our other mates when they came to stream, seeing us they also joined us in this aquathrill session- i must say.

Aquathrill

After 20 mins later we regrouped ourselves and changed our drenched clothes. There we had evening tea at the breakfast shack. The bus at 5 pm had already left, so now the next bus was an hour and half later. So here trekkers as usual had their fun games. So after it we boarded the bus to reach Asangaon at 7 pm.

Overall to sum up it was quite a interesting and refreshing monsoon trek with great trekmates making it more enjoyable. Mahuli is one of the easy one day trek in outskirts of Mumbai. 

How to reach Mahuli Fort:
It can be reached by road with own vehicles and railways. 

By own vehicles:

If reaching the fort through own vehicles, follow the google map coordinates above at the beginning of the blog. 

By Railways: 
Asangaon is the nearest railway station on central railways to reach Mahuli fort. One can take a share rickshaw from Station or alternatively ST buses also ply between Asangaon Depo to Mahuli village. However the bus frequency is very low. 

Please note: Rickshaw wallahs accommodate 6 persons in regular bajaj auto and charge Rs. 80-100 per person.

Food Facilities at the Fort:

There are two food shacks at the beginning of the trek. They provide with all your food needs from breakfast to lunch. Here you can have breakfast to begin with and pre order your lunch while returning. They provide for both veg and non veg lunch. 

About Vrangers:

Founded in February 2009, Vrangers is one of the fastest growing trekking community with adventure passionate members. Geared with experienced mentors, they arrange for various forms of adventure sports.

Contact details:

Ananda Govekar: 9892219155

Dipendra Mhatre: 99674 35673

Website: http://www.vrangers.com/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!