“Monsoon treks and other hiking adventure opportunities around Mumbai for all those who think monsoon doesn’t always mean water logging, floods, and traffic jams
Places near Mumbai have some of the most marvelous adventure trekking spots with green hills and lush forest, rocky surroundings with flowing springs, and those waterfalls calling monsoon lovers to trekkers. Explore all those rock climbers getting opportunities to trek forts in Thane district locations.
Also note that some risky and dangerous locations should be ignored.”
To start up with your trek adventure below are some of the forts ideal for a day trek and picnic and to hike and climb its mountain rocks.
And why just trek, There are many other monsoon hangout places around Mumbai.
After some successful treks if you want to relax and enjoy monsoon inside Mumbai, Keep note of this tides dates for various promenates in city shores to explore.
Few Danger and Risky Treks to Ignore
People trek to various locations from Mumbai, some near and some far, up to Raigad, Goa, and Kolhapur within the Maharashtra Circle.
Some expert trekker groups, like ‘Sahyadri Mitra, share their experience and alert all monsoon trekkers to be aware of some of the risky trekking locations to ignore as they are very dangerous, not for occasional trekkers.
Below are 15 to 17 such locations to be noted that should not be on your trekking locations list near Mumbai.
- Bhira Village at Raigad has Devkund Waterfall.
- Mumbai’s Far North, Thane district has Vasai’s Famous Chinchoti Waterfall.
- Navi Mumbai’s known Pandavkada waterfalls at Kharghar.
- Khopoli’s Zenith waterfall
- East Mumbai’s Badlapur has one famous Kundeshwar river and waterfall.
- Prabalgad’s Kalavantin Fort located at Mumbai’s Panvel Location.
- Asangaon’s Mahuli stream near fort.
- Nalichi Vaat at Harishchandragad near Malshej Ghat before Moroshi Naka.
- Kataldhar Waterfall at famous Lonavala hills.
- Andharban at Mulshi, Pune.
- Raigad’s Plus Valley.
- Dudhsagar Goa.
- Kolhapur’s Baraki Waterfall.
- Kolhapur’s Raut Wadi Waterfall.
- Gadeshwar Dam at Panvel.
- Thoseghar Waterfall, Satara.
You Might like to read about Waterfall that gives Rappelling adventure near Mumbai.
Some Stunning and Adventurous Treks For Experts and Experienced
Harishchandra Fort
Located at Khireshwar village at the very famous trekking location called Malsejghat, Harishchandra Fort will take you 2 days to complete. Your trek will start at the village and go to the famous spot called ‘Kokan Kada, which is about 3500 feet above sea level. This is a great and breathtaking trekking experience. Overnight resting can be done at Taramati, which is near the fort and where food and other facilities are available.
How to reach: The nearest station from Mumbai is Kalyan, and from there you need to take a bus to Khubi Junction at Khireshwar village to start with.
Karnala Fort
Comparatively a short trekking spot located in Raigad district, Karnala Fort is 125 feet high and is known for Pandu’s Tower Pillar and Karnala Bird Sanctuary as a special attraction for trekkers. The trek takes about 3 hours (one day) with no food facilities around, so you need to carry all necessary eateries and water before starting your rock climbing and hiking activities.
How to reach: Karnala Fort is about 10 km from Panvel station. Get by car or catch a local train to reach Panvel and rent an auto or taxi, whatever is easily available on the spot.
Torna Fort
Pune, A near-destination city, Mumbai, has this Torna fort at Velha village on the way on Katraj Road. A recommended rainy season trekking location targets climbing to the top point destination and the main entrance called ‘Bini Darwaaja’. It is a day-only trekking destination, and accommodation is only available at the MTDC hotel or inside Menghai Temple near the fort. A classic view from the fort is what attracts trekkers to go all day long and reach there. Since food and water facilities are not there, you should carry your stuff before starting this trek.
How to reach: From Mumbai, take a bus or train to Pune and reach Velha village. Once there, get a private vehicle that will drop you off at MTDC or Menghai Devi Temple.
Gorakhgad
Again a short and one-day trekking location and an ideal spot in monsoon season, Gorakhgad is a rough hilly mountain located at Dehri, which is near Murbad and some distance from Kalyan. This trek has a temple at the top and a shallow, deep view—a breath-taking experience for you trekkers. It is one of the famous and short monsoon trekking locations near Mumbai.
How to reach: First, reach Kalyan by catching a local train or in your private vehicle. Next, from Kalyan, you need to reach Murbad and catch another bus that will take you to Dehri Gorakhgad Fort.
Purandhar Fort
Located in Pune near Mumbai, Purandhar Fort is a historic trekking location built during Mughal times. The specialty of this fort is a statue of ‘Murarbaji Deshpande, who fought with the Mughals to save the fort and gave his life for it.
Purandhar’s location is famous for one more thing: the National Carded Corps Academy, apart from other famous attractions that attract paragliding lovers. The trek is quite near to a location in Pune called Narayangaon and its take about 2 hours to complete the trek. There is no stay option available, so hikers need to take their food and belongings before starting to climb these rocks. It’s an ideal daytime trekking location only during the monsoon.
Lohagad
Very near to a famous picnic spot called Lonavala Attractions Lonavala, the nearest station to reach Lohagad Trek, is Malavli, at a distance of 9 km.
The specialty is that during the monsoon, when the trekkers reach the top, they may experience a whole new world with clouds touching them and making them wet. Bhaja Caves and Pawda Dam are two other nearby attractions near Lohagad.
The monsoon trekking experience is worth it if you find a little rain, and once you reach the top, don’t forget to click some pictures of that nice panoramic view of Pawna Dam. Trekkers are advised to carry food and snacks because no facilities are available here.
How to reach: Rent a car or a private vehicle and catch the Pune Express Highway towards Lonavala. Malavli is just next to the station, and from there, at about 9 to 10 km, is Lohagad Mountain. Alternately, you can also catch trains heading towards Lonavala and get down at Malavli.
Vikatgad Fort
Yet another short trekking location near Mumbai, Peb Fort takes about 2 to 4 hours with lots of turns and twists, and it is recommended to go with some already experienced people. At about 3 to 4 kilometers from Neral station, Vikatgad has some ancient Lord Datta Mandir, and the overall fort location is known for its nice ambiance among trekkers.
The peaceful and scenic monsoon attracts many hikers for a day-long trek. One you reach the top, you will experience this location as a central scenic place to view Malanggad in Kalyan, Chanderi Fort at Neral, Prabalgad at Panvel, and the most famous Matheran Hills too, which are all quite near Mumbai within city limits.
How to reach: Reach Neral station in central with your private vehicle or local train, and from there, travel another 4km to start your trek.
Raigad Fort
An excellent overnight trekking location that takes about 2 complete days to trek this fort, you can see the Raigad Ropeway Raigad ropeway. and experience the feeling of being like those Maratha kings in this location. You can rest at MTDC hotels or another alternative, free accommodation at ‘Dharamshala, with food and other facilities.
How to reach: Catch the Mumbai-Goa highway and reach Mahad town in Ratnagiri district. From Mahat, it is about 20 km to reach the fort.
Kothaligad Fort
A Peth Fort at Karjat, with water, food, and accommodation facilities available, Kothaligad is an ideal trekking location for those who are looking for a short trek experience at low heights. With a temple and caves in the basement that connect the tunnel to the top of this fort, it is another non-isolated trekking destination nearest to Mumbai.
How to reach: On the central route near Karasa is Karjat station; take your private vehicle from Mumbai and reach it in a few hours.
Rajmachi Trekking
Rajmachi is connected to Karjat Kondivade Village and Lonavala; while the Lonavala route is longer, the village route is tougher. The trek experience gives a warm feeling to your eyes with those waterfalls and lush green forest around. The peak at Rajmachi Point has two forts for trekkers. The Shrivardhan fort and Manoranjan fort are just great trekking locations for beginners to climb in the monsoon.
Rajgad Fort
This small trekking spot is famous and known for its sub-plateaux called Suvela Machi, Padmavati Mache, and Sanjeevani Mache. This trekking fort can be reached by Gunjavane Village, located at Nalsalput Junction. A great monsoon adventure and tourist attraction, this fort has accommodation facilities at the famous Padmavati temple, which has huge water tanks that last a complete year.
Visapur Fort
Located near Lohagad, Visapur Fort at Malavali, near Lonavala, is just 2.5 km away. Its specialty for trekkers is its arch and caves and the few old houses nearby. The trek to Visapur takes about 2 and a half hours.
Trekking Tips During Monsoon
- Always follow the basic trekking rules and directions on trekking tracks. Always be with your seniors, who already have experience at such trekking places in monsoon seasons around Mumbai.
- A plastic bag that can handle all your electronic gadgets like mobiles, cameras, and other musical instruments will be an ideal choice to keep before you start your monsoon adventure.
- Basic things like water, mugs, and dry snacks should be carried, as not all locations have food and accommodation facilities available.
- The first aid box is a must for any day or overnight trek to these forts and mountains.
- Wear trekking shoes, or any comfortable tough sport shoes. Wear loose t-shirts and shorts, which are ideal and recommended for any trekkers. It is also a safe option when it comes to adventure because you can have insects and other reptiles walk along with you.
- A torch with extra batteries, a Swiss knife, a 50- to 100-foot long rope, a sewing kit, toilet paper, and extra newspapers are a must before your monsoon trek.
- It is better to avoid such treks in the monsoon if you are not fit. If you have asthmatic or heart-related problems, inform and consult with your trekking leaders first.
ADDITIONS : You can also goto Malshej Ghat near Mumbai for trekking and Abseiling adventures.
See More in Adventures Mumbai Monsoon Travel Guide
