About the trek
Not just the magnificent view from the top, which provides you with an amazing misty lush green valley, the trek also takes you through the mesmerizing landscapes, trail and the dense forests. The trek is popular amongst trekkers, travellers and nature lovers.
We took a train from Pune to Karjat village, from where we actually started walking up to the village where we spent the night. Yes! We did stay in the village at one of the villager’s houses who provided us with basic food and shelter. Trust me the food was really good freshly made in clean surroundings and was served hot. There are camping options available too.
The trek is a moderate level trek and can be done effortlessly even by beginners. Actually, ardent trekkers trek from Lonavala to Rajmachi Fort which is about 15 km and is a plain trail and easily doable. While from the Karjat village it’s a steep climb up to the fort and takes about 3-4 hours. One has to very careful during monsoons as the trail becomes slushy and slippery. Carry a good pair of trekking shoes.
We enjoyed the trek from both the routes. Climbed from one side and descended from the other. The climb was steep but there is a clear trail and can be done even without a guide. The descend from Lonawala side is a smooth but a long walk. We walked up to Lonawala railway station which is around 15 km. There are vehicles available at the base to take you to the city, just in case you feel tired after the trek.