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This is one of the most interesting and challenging regions of the Sahayadris. It has some of the most interesting hill forts, the highest peaks and many of the places are challenging for rock climbers. There are sharp rocky features and remotely placed hill forts which are a speciality of this region.The countryside is beautiful with plenty of water.

Mahuli (762m-2501ft)

Trains from Kalyan to Kasara go almost around this group of peaks .There are two main formations . The fort is higher and easier to reach ,While Chanderi is tricky and steep.The ridge from Mahuli again rises in the north to an easy flat top called Chhota Mahuli. Mahuli fort is a popular hiking place due to it's accessablity and it is fun in the rains, winter or on a moonlit night . From Asangaon station ,proceed to Mahuli village (5km) The fort is on the northwest (right), 3km away .Climb up the east face gully , reaching the saddle at 600m . A large plateau with excellent views of Tansa lake. No water available on the way up and only one tank in the centre .

The Trimbakeshwar Range

The hill forts around Trimbak are very fascinating to climb .Trimbak is a very popular pilgrimage centre and is served by frequent buses from Nashik. One may undertake cross-country walks to catch buses towards Kasara and Gujarat.

Brahmagiri(Trimbakeshwar) (1295m-4248ft)

A prominent place of pilgrimage with temple and shelter available . Reach Trimbak from Nashik . Regular steps lead to the temple .It has a long grassy top . Anjaneri, Harihar and Fani Donger are nearby In the pasr the entire Trimbak range were considered as an impregnable fort.The hill-range is almost 16km long on thr top. The real source of the Godaveri is located at an ancient temple on it's upper plateau . A narrow passage in the rock is cut 4 to 6 ft.with about 300 steps . In 1818 the British conquered Trimbak and dismantled the fort. The Multani family of Karachi rebuilt the steps and a dh

aramsala , which are now in use.

Anjaneri (1300m-4264ft.)

A huge grass topped mountain . It has a small lake on the top . A British Officer had built a bungalow on the top of it. It's ruins can still be seen.Take a bus from Nashik to Trimbak . Get down 8km before Trimbak for Anjaneri village (2km). There are excellent ruins and temples near the village . The fort is behind the village and an easy 3km climb. Navardev pinnacle is to the west

of the village and is easy to climb by one route . Two small pinnacles ,jutting out near the fort are called Sasu and Navri An old cave is situated on thw way to the top . Half way up , on the plateau is dedicated to Dattatrya is situated with the Seeta Goofa(caves) nearby. The top is still higher up and is a big plateau with a grand view.

No direct descent is possible to Trimbak from the fort . Towards the southern end one can proceed to Mulegaon past Ghargad and Dangya to Wadhiware . The road to Shirghat bifurcates at the Pegal phata on the road a little before Trimbak . And the southeastely road bifurcates again at the Pahine phata and passes Mahasurli (6km) and Avarli (5km) to join the Wadhiware-Ghoti road.

Utwad (1238m-4062ft)

A triangular shaped mountain sharing a common col with Basgad . On the way from Kasara and Khodla to Mokhda , get down at Khoch or Khoch phata . Proceed to Utwadwadi (5km)at the base . Reach the common col and climb a gentle slope to the top from the south.

The Northern Igatpuri Range

These group of hills are situated rather near the Igatpuri and Ghoti railway stations and are rather easy to climb . They offer convenient one-day outings just after the monsoon or in winter.

Kavnai (914m-3000ft)

An enjoyable outing near Ghoti, a little ahead of Igatpuri . Turn from the Nashik main road at Khambala to the left on the road leading to the upper Vaitarna .3km ahead is vaki .A cart track leads towards the west col of Kavnai via Beturli.From the col, traverse the base of the massif. A narrow-chimney like formation leads to the plateau and a small lake on the top . Village Kavnai and a big temple are on the other side . Opposite Kavnai is the mass of Dakson (898m-2946ft) which has a tough route to the

top . The sharp peak of Budhya near the Vaki village is also a good proposition in the area. The temple of Kavnaidevi is famous in the region . The huge temple with kunds is a popular pilgrim place. A sharp ridge falling steeply gives a peculiar shape to this hill. From Ghoti , ahead of the Upper Vaitarna road ,one sees the hill 6km ahead Near village Vaki ,cross a small river and follow the steep ridge to the top.

The Southern Igatpuri Range

Kulang (1470m-4822ft)

As the train reaches the Igatpuri station ,one can see a huge massif of Mountains towards the south . The most prominent among them is Kulang . Standing at the edge of the ghats, it commands a fabulous view all around and the tough climb is amply rewarded by a most fascinating sunset .Kulang offers the highest climb from it's base to the top in the Sahyadris. From Igatpuri, walk on the main road to the north .Buses available till Bhavli,out of the town. fromthe first railway crossing. The route follows the Dharna river which runs down to Pimpri village and onto Beale lake .from Kulangwadi ,one sees two mountains in fromt.The one on the west(right) is Chhota Kulang and the one in the centre is Kulang.Madangad and Alang are on the east(left).There are two routes to this upper plateau .The shorter one climbs up a nala to the southwest ,between Kulang and Chhota Kulang. Then eastwards to the base of the final rocky staircase .The other route skirts a prominent rocky-case to climb up from the valley at the foot of Kulang and Madangadh in the south Both the routes meet the upper plateau .It is a very steep and an exhausting climb .A huge caves with water cisterns nearby. No firewood.The view is the finest in the Sahaydris .It covers Mahuli, the Kalsubai group ,and all the peaks of the Igatpuri area upto Nane ghat and Siddhagad .Almost 50 mountain tops and places can be counted . The final climb from it's col with Kulang will be a good challenge It does not seem to have been climbed .If one is not proceeding to Alang ,then return by the same route ,which is the shortest.

Madangad (1466m-4842ft)

This is a difficult fortress to reach.It's square high massif can be recognised by a huge hole in it's western (extreme right hand) top. In fact, the top is above the hole and standing up there, one gets a feeling of standing on a void. Some of the steps leading up the fort have been blown up. A steep rock face of about 20m has to be climbed to enter the fort .Proceed fro Igatpuri to Kulangwadi as from Kulang.Turn south to climb to the col between Alang and Madangad..A very

narrow and exposed track leads back tho the base of the massif. Further ahead strps lead to a broad plateau with a huge cave and water. An excellent view of the neighbouring Alang. It is easier to descend by rappling down.One must be experienced and careful whilst climbing this fortress. The return journey can be on the same route, or from Ghatghar further south by visiting Alang.

Kalsubai (1646m-5400ft)

With a height of 1646m, this is the highest peak in the western ghats of Maharashtra.It is beautifully shaped and commands a fantastic view..The small temple of Devi Kalsubai is legendary and receives many pilgrims..For hikers,this is a simple mountain to climb. A bus from Igatpuri to Bhandardara halta at Bari village , At the foot of the mountain and at a height of 792m. An easy route leads to an upper plateau with water. The top is rocky and one can see didtant peaks in all directions. For a change, a route from the plateau traverses the mountain on the other side to descend the mountain .An adjoining hill(western edge)also has a conical shape,similar to Kalsubai.It is 1580m-5185ft and is approachable through a connecting col with Kalsubai.

Avandh (1319m-4329ft)

A prominent huge rock massif,standing next to Patta fort .It has high walls and a narrow summit .The steps to the top are blown off and, at many places,one has to resort to rock climbing .This peak was probably used as watch tower.Avandh is best approach from Ninavi or Girwadi, as is Patta fort.. A track leads to the base of the rocky massif,from where rock climbing starts . At the top, one discovers a small cave and a fantastic view of Patta fort.

This is based on the book 'Trek the Shyadris' By Harish.Kapadia.