Name: Panvel
Rating: 3.6

Manikgad Fort Trek, Panvel Overview

Manikgad Fort is located on a hill in Manikgad village of Maharashtra. The fort is about 1,878 feet high and is impregnable from three sides. The upper part can be reached only from the south.

Presently the fort is ruinous and the village has been deserted. Trekkers are advised to travel in groups. It was not a fort in its true sense, but more of a checkpost sort of thing. Within the fortifications are the crumbled remains of a large stone gate and a flour grinder of made of stone. There is a small Shiva linga at the top alongside a temple with no deity inside. There are cisterns of water and a prominent reservoir within the fort along with some storehouses. One can still see a somewhat decrepit gate with the carving of Ganesha at the top of it. The fort presents a very commanding view of the valley surrounding it, with Karnala pinnacle and Prabalgad fort visible prominently.

Tips and Tricks

1) The Savna lake at the base of the fort is a good place to visit during the monsoon season. 2)

Food availability

Food is available in the base village. You may want to carry your own food though, as the food served is not very good.

Accommodation

There are no caves or shelters atop the fort, or on the way to it. Accommodation must be arranged for in the base village.

Water availability

It is advisable to carry your own water along with you as there are no sources of fresh water once you leave the base village of Vadgaon.

Trek Routes

There are no prominently defined trek routes to reach the top of the citadel. We may need to hire a local villager as our guide to assist us in going through the trail.

How to reach Manikgad Fort Trek

Rail: Local trains are availbale from Kalyan as well as from other major cities to Karjat. The frequency of trains is less but the trains ply on a regular basis.
Road: The fort is clearly visible while travelling across the old Mumbai-Pune Highway. Direct buses are available from Karjat to the base village of Vadgaon, or via the chowk.