GHANGAD FORT

A 300 years old structure situated near Tamhini Ghat and Mulshi, it is said that Ghangad Fort used to be a prison under the kingdom of Peshwas. And apparently, it was also the watchtower for the city of Pune. Unfortunately, there is not much historical evidence supporting this fact.

However, what the fort is sure to offer is the views for the lush green region from the very top. Ghangad fort is a popular trekking destination amongst residents of Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur. The trek is a medium to easy level trek which on average takes about an hour to reach the midpoint of the fort.



From here, it does not take more than 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top. This fort is also a great space for camping as there is a lot of open space. Moreover, the fort also houses several other attractions such as the caves, the age-old fortifications, a temple of Goddess Garjai and a water cistern of stone cuts.

How To Reach

Ghangad Fort can be reached by railways as well as by roadways.

By Train: The cheapest way of reaching here is on a train journey. Visitors can board a train to Lonavala from Mumbai or Pune which is the closest railway station at a distance of 35 kilometers from the fort. Thereafter, using public transportation, you can further reach Bhamburde.

From Bhamburde, a hike of 20 to 25 minutes takes you to Ekole village which is the base camp for the trek. Buses are available from the Lonavala bus stand. There are 2 Lonavala to Bhamburde village buses. The timings are - 9.00 AM and 12.30 PM

For your way back, the last bus from Bhamburde Village to Lonavala leaves at 2.30 PM. Post this, finding transportation is very difficult.

By Road: If one wishes to take the roadways, the Lonavala-Aamby valley route offers scenic views and is pretty well maintained. Similarly, Tamhini Ghat Route is an alternate route option. The way to Ghangad Fort takes one through the scenic hills of Sahyadris, thus a road trip is recommended for driving or riding enthusiasts.

By Air: Mumbai airport is the closest airport to the fort.

Best Time To Visit

Summer: The summer months of March to June start are very hot and humid in the Sahyadris and must be avoided. 

Monsoon: The monsoon months of June, July, August until mid September bring out the most scenic views of the Sahyadris. The western ghats bloom with lush greenery. However, due to the rains that also bring out foggy clouds, visibility is not the same every day.

Having said that, the rains make the trail of the fort all the more adventurous and thus marks the best time to visit Ghangad Fort; especially for trekkers.

Winter: October to February months of winters has pleasant weather for adventure activities like trekking or hiking. And here amidst the Western ghats, the fort also offers clearer views of the sky and the surrounding region. Thus, nature lovers interested in landscapes may want to visit during the winter season.

Other Essential Information

Mobile Connectivity: The fort has decent mobile network connectivity throughout the trail. The fort which is at the top of the hill also has a good network on most days. However, the network can be unstable or uncertain during the monsoon season. 

ATM's: Starting from Ekole which is the base village for Ghangad fort, there are no ATMs. Thus it is advisable for all trekkers to carry enough cash in hand from before hand and not rely on ATMs in the surrounding region. 

Food Joints: Ekole, the base village has a few stalls that sell basic food items like biscuit packets and water. It is advisable to carry some food on the trek. Protein bars and energy efficient food items such as peanuts are best for trekking times.

Minimum Duration for Ghangad Fort: The trek to Ghangad fort is considered to be easy to medium level. It takes about an hour for trekkers to reach half way through the fort. Post this, it takes not more than 30 to 40 minutes to complete the rest of the trek to the hilltop where the fort is located.