Kothaligad, Karjat Overview

The area around Mumbai and Pune and is flooded with majestic hill forts boasting of sweeping panoramic vistas and picturesque ruins of the former structures. One of these equally magnificent hill forts is Kothaligad, situated at 3000 ft. above sea level and located east to the town of Karjat in Maharashtra. Although relatively small in size, the fort offers one of the famous trekking trails in the area. Also known as ‘Fort of Peth’ because of its vicinity to the village of Peth, Kothaligad has a lot to offer to the tourists. From bounteous nature to marvellous surroundings and enchanting views of the valley, you will definitely be left awestruck at the overall splendour of the place.

Features of Kothaligad

There is a chimney like tunnel from the base to the top which is carved with stairs, you can take this to reach the vantage point but this will be underground and you won’t be able to spot the gorgeous views of the valley. Once at the top, you can find the ruins of the fort, in addition to a small temple and a tank or water cistern that is filled with water. There is one other water near the base. At the base, you can also find a large cave that you can explore if you are adventurous enough.

Best Time to Visit

As Kothaligad is a hill fort, any time of the year is considered suitable to visit the fort as the environment is mostly pleasant and comfortable throughout the year. However, it is not advisable to trek or even visit here during the monsoons. The rains make the rocks slippery and encourage the development of moss and other weeds which might prove too dangerous and risky for trekking and other activities.

Tips

Wear comfortable footwear, preferably trekking shoes or sports shoes.
Carry some snacks, especially energy bars, so you don’t run out on energy.
Also do not forget to carry water as the water in the tank may or may not be suitable for drinking.
Carry a torch and some extra batteries.
Carry plastic bags so you can preserve and protect your phones and other valuables in case of rains.
Also carry sunscreen and lotions to protect yourself from the direct rays of the sun.
Wear comfortable clothes so you don’t feel uncomfortable or inconvenient during the trek.