The Sindola Fort Trek situated in the very popular region of Junnar in Maharashtra is one of the gated secret Malshej Ghat located at an altitude of 3,680 ft. above sea level.
If you want the complete view of the Pargaon village and the Malshej Ghat nothing better than what Sindola fort Malshej Ghat trek will offer you. Once you have soaked yourself in the beauty of Malshej Ghat you’ll be able to view forts located near Sindola Fort as well. Sindola fort dates back to similar times of Nimgiri and Hadsar.
Junnar region is home to many famous forts, even though Sindola doesn’t top the list it still has an ancient archival aesthetic for you. You enter the Sindola fort after praying to Lord Ganesha at the entrance to lose yourself within the ruins of bastions and ancient water reservoirs systems. Each step you climb to reach your destination leaves you with an awe with its intricate rock-cutting techniques but the destination remains the pinnacle of beauty as you lay your eyes down at the wondering beauty of the whole city.
A Spectacular view of the rare Karvi
Karvi/Karwi is a group of seven species of shrubs, restricted to the western ghats. Famous because they rarely bloom. Each flower has its own cycle. Once in a seven-year period, they bloom. You can spot these rare flowers on the trail.
There are other beautiful wildflowers throughout the trek. You can see them all around you.
Sindola Fort Trek Trail Information
Sindola fort trek can be divided into 3 sections:
1. The route from the highway till the plateau is a field walk and from there a gradual trek until the first ridge walk.
The base for the Sindola fort trek is Karanjale village. Trek Distance is of 1.2km and takes a duration of 35mins on an average.
2. From the First Ridge to the starting point of the traverse, there is a narrow trail.
This is a 1 Km trek and takes 25 to 30 mins on an average. You can view Malshej Ghat, Pimpalgaon Joga Dam and Harishchandragad and sister peaks from this ridge. When you turn to your left on the trail, a series of famous peaks like Devdandya, Bhojgiri, Nimgiri – Hanumantgad and many forts will be standing tall.
3. Trek to the Sindola fort through the traverse is a rocky section and a very narrow trail.
You take a left from the end of the second ridge to be introduced to an amazing mountain view on your right and just below you will lie the Konkan Plains.
Continue to trek for another 15 minutes on the traverse. The tall grasses are all over the trail. Between them, you can find wildflowers including rare Karvi/Karwi. The trail ahead of you is not clear. You need to keep walking towards the direction of the fort.
Note: It is advised that only one person treks at a time as the trail is very narrow and slippery. Wearing proper trekking shoes will help in the trek immensely and carrying a trekking pole as well.
When you think that you have completed the trek and are about to reach the fort, the most challenging section of the trail will be waiting ahead of you. The last part of the trek is to climb the pinnacle of the fort.
This section has rock-cut steps. They lead to the fort. It becomes slippery during the monsoon season. There are also some loose rocks on the trail that makes it more difficult to keep your foot.
The entrance of the fort is demolished. But after reaching the topmost part of the fort, you see a Ganesha idol on your right. This is considered as the gateway of the fort.
The fort is very small. There are a few rows of water reservoirs inside as soon as you enter. Some of the water reservoirs are filled with grass and some are still clean. But the water inside the reservoir is not always potable.
Spend one hour on the fort finding all the famous peaks and forts of the Malshej ghat. Enjoy the beautiful view of the western ghat around you. The view in front of you is worth the efforts you have put in reaching the fort.
The descent is the same route as you came up. Be very careful while descending as the return trail is steep and slippery. This is where trekking poles can be used.
Sindola Fort Trek difficulty
The difficulty level of trek highly depends on climatic conditions of the place. If it’s during the monsoon entire trail becomes slippery and its really difficult to trek.
In good climatic conditions only sections of the trek are difficult to climb, such as the route after the second ridge is a bit risky
There are multiple sections that are difficult to trek. The entire trail becomes slippery if it rains.
The traverse that starts after the second ridge is a tricky section. There is no proper trail to follow. This part is filled with grass and wildflowers that make it more difficult to find the route.
In some places, you have to cross the greasy rocks. If you are not wearing proper trekking shoes, it is very difficult to negotiate. Use the trekking pole here if you are carrying.
The last leg of the trek which looks like a gully is also one of the dangerous sections. The rock-cut steps and the loose rocks can be slippery. Hence, while descending down keep your foot very carefully.
Best Time to do Sindola Fort Trek
The specialty of this Sindola Fort trek lies in the picturesque, in every season the view you’ll get to see will be different.
- The pre-monsoon and autumn break would be an amazing time to visit the Sindola Fort Trek. You’ll be able to see the lush green mountains and blooming flowers within the mist and cloud. A heavenly sight indeed.
- If you visit in November-February, you’ll get a 180 change from the previous scene. The lush green is gone however you’ll able to witness the environment preparing it for upcoming months. A clear view of the sky and windy weather.
The views are clearer in the months of November to February. Picture from google images
Trekking in Summers is not advisable as there are no trees to take shade from and the heat is unbearable. In monsoon it is very easy as the trail becomes slippery and the chances of an accident increases while trekking.
How to Reach the Base of Sindola Fort
There are 3 main routes to reach your destination, i.e Sindola Fort. The most popular way to go about it is from Karanjale Phata
1. Road Trip to Sindola Fort
The base for Sindola Fort Trek is the Karanjale Phata. You can use any navigation apps such as Google maps to start your road trip.
If you are travelling from Mumbai, take the NH160 right exit to join Kalyan-Bhiwandi road (NH61), continue on this route until you reach the Karanjale Village. Ideally it should take 3-4 hours from Mumbai to Sindola Fort, however the Mumbai traffic is the ultimate ETA indicator. Total distance from Mumbai is 135km and from Kalyan its 93km.
Once you see the Karanjale Village Board, you can stop there and then take a right from the field situated opposite to the board to get start on that trek.
2. Sindola Fort via Public Transportation
The most affordable and economic way to travel is via the local train. You can take a train for Kalyan from CSMT, the trains are very frequent. You can either use the UTS website to get online tickets or directly get from the counters, live tracking can be done from the M-indicator app.
From Kalyan Station you can take a direct bus to Karanjale Phata, any bus which goes to Ahmednagar will drop you there. The cost for AC Bus falls somewhere around Rs. 180-200 and Rs. 70-80 for non-AC bus services.
Use the Google Maps to navigate your journey and inform the conductor before hand to intimate your when the bus reached Karanjale village. From there its all walking, however while returning the bus stop is 3km away from the end of the trek, so navigate your route accordingly.
3. Stay options
You can check various online platforms which provide for stay options around the place, either book hostel/ dorms or homestays or hotels as per your preference
4. Airports nearby
Pune International Airport, Pune: 123 km
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai: 145 km
5. Nearest Railway Station
Kalyan Railway station: 93 km
What To Pack For Sindola Fort Trek
Basic First Aid kit*
- Identity Card
- Something to protect yourself from scorching heat
- Water (Minimum three litres)
- ORS or Lime water (any sort of electrolyte drink)
- dry fruits, home-baked cake, etc. for snacking
- For emergencies Safety Pins, Rubber bands & Whistle
- Clothes that dry fast to be preferred over cotton.
- If visiting in monsoon carry – raincoat, poncho etc. and plastic bags to prevent your electronics getting wet
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
*First aid kit:
- Cotton roll & Bandage and Scissor
- Band aids (Regular & Waterproof)
- Analgesic spray, liquid and powder
- Crepe Bandage
- Tablet for motion sickness (Avomine), Acidity (Gelusil, Digene, etc.).
- Mild pain relief tablet (Crocin)
Note: Always consult a doctor before taking any medicine.
