Nature Trail & Trek to Nakhind, Vangani

Hi Fellow Nature Lovers….

This year Monsoon had disappointed us and we were not able to do much exploration of the wild.

Even then, had kept NAKHIND in my Mind since long.

So… one fine Sunday, gathered my Trek-mates and left for this trek.

Only 1 of us, Hemant Narkar, had visited Nakhind before and we were unaware of the route ahead, thus.. he proved to be a helping hand for us.

Nakhind is a small hole (Nedhe in marathi) formed on a narrow ledge that is a part of the Matheran range.

Continuing the same route ahead, goes to the junction of Vikatgad/ Peb fort.

So we all took the Karjat local and alighted at Vangani. Since others stay far and had started their day early…. Desperately needed something to eat

We sought a local IDLI wala and had our tummies filled before we started.

Vangani is the station from where one can go towards Chanderi Fort, Mhaismal, Bhagwati Waterfall, Nakhind etc… but NO basic facilities like a small hotel is available.

Local vendors will assist you with temporary snacks.

Base village of Nakhind is BEDIS gaon which is almost 4-5kms from station.

Nature lovers can do the trail walk as the road is serene and crosses through the villages with farms on both sides… awesome and refreshing view.

Since we were already late for the trek, we took the Autorikshaw till base village at nominal cost.

A typical monsoon weather greeted us with cool breeze, sun behind clouds and drizzle.

Adrenaline Rush gasped us and we were off with our walk.

Rain getting heavier, we quickly had a change of costumes and Cameras packed in – for protection.

Moving alongside green farms and some streams route started getting steeper.

It gave an awesome Jungle feel to keep walking amidst such a place. 

Nilesh and Vikas taking a Breather

Within an hour we reached another village situated at half the height on the plateau. The village had hardly 10-12 houses, but the sad part was, these houses didn’t have any power source L

Vangani chi Wadi

After a small halt and Group pic….. the Caravan moved ahead.

cool greenery acted as Energy boosters

Hemant dada leading

the Climb

Nilu experimenting his Skills to catch a Crab

Now the real trail started… route was getting more steeper than earlier and we couldn’t stop as insects were on their hunt for fresh blood.

After an hour of climbing… we reached the tip of the plateau from where we could see the Nakhind site Face to Face but not the Nedhe.

Another photo session and halt as we had conquered a little earlier than expected.

a Group Selfie at the Tip of the range

From here one can have an entire glimpse of the Sahyadri range starting from Malang-Gad, Mhaismal, Chanderi, Vanar-udi, Nakhind, Peb, PRabalgad, Kalavantin in a semi-circle arch.

from L-R: Vanar-udi - Chanderi fort - Mhaismal

The route from plateau to Nedhe was simple but slippery due to banana leaves and shrubs rooted out.

We spent quite some leisure time enjoying the cool breeze which was stronger than expected. The Nedhe can accommodate around 10-12 people, but its not safe to camp or stay at night.

Me at the Nedhe

Suddenly the climate and breeze turned chill and rain started. Thus we departed from this wonderful place and reached the base within 1 hour.

Black spotted butterfly

Everyone was sweating and desperately needed some refreshment…. Enroute we had spotted a small manmade pond created to collect sand. A good 3-4 feet water and within seconds… we all were into it enjoying and swimming. Didn’t notice that we were into the water for around an hour. 

Finally all refreshed, we moved towards Bhagwati waterfall. It’s a small waterfall with a good overhang and height of 70ft. alas, easy accessibility has spoiled this as well. Smokers, drinkers, lovers all in their own world destined to dump their eatables and plastic bottles in the fall itself. The scene was pathetic.

Bhagwati Waterfall

A small "Bandhaara" constructed to hold back water for future uses

Took the Auto-rikshaw and reached Vangani station. Had tummy full of Chaat and Vadapav accompanied with Cutting Chai.

Inshort…..wonderful memories of a Wonderful Small but tiring trek.

See you soon with another adventure and some new Trek

A Wanderer: 

Sumeet rao a.k.a "SUMYA"

Trek to Songiri/ Palasdhari Fort

Hello Fellow trekkers and Adventure Lovers…..

Another day… another trek… to the remote section of Mumbai

Palasdhari, a small station for Pune and khopoli bound trains… but feels like heaven in monsoon.

So Pre-monsoon schedule was initiated with “Trek to SONGIRI Fort” or also known as Palasdhari fort.

Songiri Fort / Palasdhari Fort

To start with… this plan was DERAILED many times considering the immense increasing HEAT in the month of March and April. GOD knows how did it go well in MAY.

I boarded the Indore Pune express from kalyan which was haluled by BLOOD RED WAP4e from BRC (Vadodara). Travelling in Mail/ express trains always keeps u energetic & motivated. 

Indore Pune express with WAP4e

Got down at Karjat and waited for my friends from western line to pick me up.

Till then... to kill time, I had a little “Vadapav and cutting chai” – har ek Mumbaikar ke rag rag me basa.

They arrived in a OMNI… quite comfortable and spacious for 7 of us. Took the car to the Level crossing ahead of Palasdhari station. Got ready and started to move on.

For some time we walked parallel to the Railway tracks till we reached the 1^st Tunnel.

1st tunnel on the Mumbai Pune route

Since this was our first attempt we took the known route of going above the tunnel. Later on, realized that another simple route existed. Whatsoever… kept going on.

Dense vegetation

Within next 15 mins reached the rock-Patch… must be around 35-40 ft, but its simple.

1st Rock Patch

When we reached above… the view was breath-taking - cool breeze, the entire stretch of Karjat khopoli sections with parallel road running to tracks and tiny looking vehicles racing to move ahead.

View from halfway

The Race goes on....

Just then Deccan express emerged out of tunnel with WCAM2p class locomotive and was banked by WAG7 locos

Deccan Express with WCAM2p

From here... the route starts to steep up making us to take careful steps, a small bushy area and we reached the Plateau.

At the Palteau

Took a Break for 10 mins and then started again.

Nearly after another 20-25 mins we reached amidst a heavy jungle area running parallel to the mountain side.

I took the task of climbing it first… but lateron realized that others couldn’t do it. So standing on a rock. I guided them towards the proper route visible from above, and they managed to climb up.

The Rock Patch - DO NOT CLIMB

The route was much steeper than expected

Arriving at the Top

Finally the Bastion of the fort was in front of us…. And “Yess. We did it…” we were at the summit. We had reached here in 3 hrs at leisure pace.

The Top of the fort

Just then, some boys had overtaken us towards the Top… these were from Asmant Trekkers who had taken the initiative to clean the Water Tanks that had weeds grown in it. The tank was totally dry. So we decided to help them with whatever we can do.

The Water tank - totally dried up

Assisting Fellow trekker friends in the Clean-up initiative

Mumbai bound Hyderabad express

A Selfie and a group Photo… we decided to leave.

Mohili Meadows - at Mohili T Wasare

We thought of having our packed lunch somewhere in between, but then decided to have it after finishing the trek.

The Decend started and within half an hour, we were halfway down at the plateau.

And then…. LOST the route… started to move ahead without any clue.. but it was fun

Coz later realized that we were just few steps away from the normal route. But the heat was so horrible, we were all exhausted, looking for a drop of water.. we were just dragging ourselves towards the car.

Finally the Level Crossing Guard provided us with a glass of water each and we felt, for some time – ALIVE.

Having freshened up at the nearby dam, drank plenty of water and felt rejuvenated.

Varne Dam / reservoir

They dropped me at karjat station and we both parted our ways.

Details:

Name: Songiri fort / Palasdhari Fort

Nearest Station: Palasdhari (1^st station on Karjat – khopoli route)

Grade: Easy

Time required: 2-3 hrs max

Route: There are 2 different routes, 1. Via Palasdhari and other via Avalas

Note: Avalas route is generally NOT preferred as it is from the Eastern side and the heat is immense with less trees enroute for shadows

Looking forward for a beautiful monsoon trek to Songiri.

Thanks for reading.... Comments and suggestions awaited.

- Sumeet Rao