Nature has adorned Maharashtra, the land of warrior kings, with the most priceless gifts. Sandwiched between the beautiful Western Ghats and the Konkan coast, the state boasts of an extensive “Sahyadri Mountain Range’ that runs parallel to the 750 km coastline. These mountain ranges, blessed by nature, have serene surroundings and breath-taking beauty that draws tourists from far-off areas.
In the Western Ghats, one such mountain top is the Kalsubai peak, the highest point in Maharashtra. With a monstrous height of 1646 meters or 5400 feet, the Kalsubai peak is famously known as the ‘Everest of Maharashtra’. The Kalsubai Shikhar, surrounded by mountain ranges and lavish greenery, is one of the pleasant places to visit. Best time trekking starts in Maharashtra is in Monsoon.
Kalsubai peak – The Highest in Maharashtra
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Kalsubai peak, named after local deity goddess Kalsu, falls in Akola taluka of Ahmednagar district. Situated close to Nashik and Ahmednagar district, it is very well connected by air, road, and rail network. Standing tall at 5400ft, the view from the top is ravishingly stunning. The panoramic view makes you gushing with the incredible beauty of the Sahyadri range and green forest cover enveloping the mountain range.
The Kalsubai Peak has been developed as one of the most adventurous trekking sites in Maharashtra, with scores of adventure-seeking enthusiasts turning up in numbers. The trekking site is well supported by matching infrastructure to make it accessible for experienced and inexperienced trekkers. The mountain range consists of basalt rocks and is also popular as a campsite for stargazers. The best part is, the trek to the top is fun-filled with fields, meadows, streams, and flowers.
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What to expect at the place?
As mentioned Kalsubai falls in the Sahyadri hill range and is covered by a thick green cover, the place is ideal for trekking. The place is a perfect blend of steep hill slopes and rocky patches. In between the visitors are greeted with ancient forts of the bygone era including Alang, Madan, and Kulang forts. Visitors who come to stay at the place, pitch their camps along the way at vantage points.
The Kalsubai peak is located on a plateau and one can view Bhandardara Dam and the forts from the hilltop. During medieval times, the place had military importance to keep watch on the enemy positions by the Marathas. The place is also a revered place for locals who organize a religious fair every year in honour of goddess Kalsubai during the Navratra festival. One incredible story related to the place is, the temple well at the site has a water level that never slips below 3 feet. Nearby in Nashik has one more addition of Mini Kedarnath Temple has been build by the locals one should check out.
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How to reach the top of the Kalsubai?
For visitors, who wanted to be part of the thrilling experience and absorb the beauty of the Kalsubai range, trekking to the top is the only option. The Kalsubai trek begins at the Bari village and goes through forest area and the uneven plateau with appealing natural beauty to keep you engaged and motivated. Not just trekking during the day time, the Kalsubai night trek is an equally enthralling experience.
In addition to being the highest point in Maharashtra, the Kalsubai trek is a famous getaway for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. It is so because the Kalsubai peak is nestled in the famous ‘Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary’, another reason to explore and bedazzled by its beauty. The geographical features of the place make it super exciting for visitors to climb and relish in the beauty of the place.
Kalsubai trek
The Kalsubai trekking because of its moderate difficulty and accessibility has become more of a favourite destination of scores of people who converge to the place for fun, excitement, and adventurism. There are several trekking routes as well as animal tracks for the hikers, and depending upon the opinion, one may select one. The most famous route is through the village of Bari, which is approximately 7 km from the Bhandardara.
To start your trekking uphill, one must reach Igatpuri on Mumbai Nashik road. The Bari village is where the trekking journey starts and passes through thick vegetation, small streams, rocky terrain, paddy fields, high lands and steep slopes at times. The entire trekking route can be covered in 4 to 5 hours depending upon the speed and the other activities one intends to indulge in. For trekkers, there are shades available at regular intervals for one to take a rest and relax before embarking on the next leg of the journey.
The start
The trekking starts with a beautiful view of the countryside where the Waki river (a tributary of Pravara) flows like a stream on the eastern fringe of the Bari village. Near the stream, a small but important landmark is the Hanuman temple that is a resting place for trekkers returning from their arduous but exciting journey back home. The trekking route from the temple goes straight to the peak with minimal chance of getting lost as it is very well marked. There are 22 noteworthy temples in Nashik one should visit in 2022.
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The trekking route is a fusion of simple to moderate slopes in addition to treacherous rocky outcrops that are overlooking the valley beneath. Initially, the trail is smooth but gets a bit challenging with the height. To make the entire stretch scalable, authorities have put up chains, steel railings, and ladders at different places that are difficult to climb for average climbers. The idea is to make the entire stretch of the trek easy navigable to visitors. The descent is through the same route.
Although there are places where the trekkers can sit and take rest but the place is ideal for trekking during the night or early morning. During this time, a trekker is immune from the scorching heat that dehydrates and tires an individual quickly. Also, during the monsoon season, trekking can be avoided or undertaken with caution, as the route is slippery and chances of an accident are more.
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People who visit the Kasubai trek also come prepared for camping. During the season, one can see large tents pitched at different places along the route. Camping at the sight is fun and a pleasurable experience to explore. It is also important to understand that the night temperature at the Kasubai peak is low and range between 12°C- 15°C, while it is hot during the day time with temperature hovering between 30°C to 35°C.
Alternate route
Kalsubai peak is triangular with tabletop ridges in north and south. The alternate route to the Kalsubai peak is through the northern Indore village. The trek doesn’t have the required infrastructure but the unexplored route has very little traffic. The stairs are carved out of stone and dangerous tracts have iron chains for support. Overall the Indore village track to the peak is a bit steep and difficult to negotiate.
What is the best time to visit Kalsubai Peak?
The best time to visit the Kalsubai peak is between October to February, when the temperature is suitable to make the climb and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that are covered with colourful flowers. Another added advantage to trek the place during the winter season is to view a clear night sky full of stars and perfect sunrise shots above the hill.
What is the best time to trek Kalsubai?
Although climbers have their own opinions and preference over the issue, the Kalsubai trek can be covered both during the day and the night time. For people who want to trek during the day, it is advisable to reach the top at the dusk. It is the perfect time to be at the top when the sun hides behind the mountains creating a magical rainbow, a bewitching view indeed. For the Kalsubai night trek, it is advised to reach the Kalsubai peak before dawn. Watching the sun rising behind the mountains among the morning mist that covers the valley is a spectacular sight and will be carved in your memory for the lifetime.
How to reach Kalsubai from Mumbai?
The distance between Mumbai to Kalsubai is approximately 155 km and is marked as one of the most famous destinations on Google maps. It takes roughly 3 hours to reach Kalsubai from Mumbai via road. At the Bari village, on the foothill of the mountain range, the trekking starts for the summit. It is more convenient to reach the destination by road instead of the train. However, the road to Baari is under repair with a large section in bad shape, also the network is not available for the most part of the journey.
Road route: Mumbai – Kalyan – Ghatghar – Bhandardara – Bari
Train route:
a) Local train from Mumbai to Kasara then local taxi to Baari village
b) Train to Igatpuri than a local taxi to Baari village
How to reach Kalsubai from Pune?
The total distance between Pune to Kalsubai is approximately 179 km and takes roughly 5 hours to reach the Baari village by road. In addition to a private vehicle, one can also take public transport buses and train route to reach your destination of Baari from Pune. The best route to travel to Kalsubai from Pune is:
By road: Pune – Sangamner – Rajur – Bhandardara – Bari
By train:
a) Pune to Igatpuri station and then take a taxi to Baari
b) Pune to Kasara station and then taxi to reach Baari
It is important to note that Kasara is around 50 km from Baari while Igatpuri is 33 km away from Baari.
What are the things to carry for trekking at Kalsubai peak?
The Kalsubai trek is of moderate level and takes time to cover. For such a long and difficult trek, it is advisable to be well prepared in advance. It is necessary to carry the right kind of gear of the right weight and not overdo it. Heavyweight can prove to be counter-productive and excess weight on shoulders while climbing the mountains is risky. Therefore it is necessary to carry the right equipment that is lightweight and portable for the journey.
To apprise climbers of the necessities during the trekking, here is a list of few requirements that one should carry to the Kalsubai trek.
Backpack: A backpack with 25 to 40 lit capacity is ideal. Ensure it has adequate padding and if possible chest and waist straps to divide the load uniformly and give comfort during the climb. It is the most important requirement that can carry all your basic necessities including food, water, and other supplies. If you intend to stay at the summit, the backpack must carry your tent too.
Shoes: It is advisable to wear hiking or running shoes with a good grip to prevent slipping especially during the monsoon.
Water: 2lt per person
Food: dry snacks, biscuits, etc
Torch or headlamp; it is especially required during the night trek
Cloths: Ample clothing during winter as it gets very cold at the summit. Also, wear full shirts and pants to protect against the insects and scratches from bushes, etc.
Raincoat during monsoon
Other miscellaneous objects for hygiene as per requirement.
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For camping
Visitors who like to camp at the site must carry the following camping equipment along with the above-mentioned objects during the Kalsubai trek, these are:
Tent (waterproof during the monsoon season)
Sleeping bags
Tent lantern
Miscellaneous objects for hygiene as per requirement
Safety while trekking Kalsubai
The Kalsubai trek is full of rocky patches, bushes, and slippery metal staircase (especially during the monsoon) and one must tread with caution. It is necessary to carry a first-aid kit to be used in case of an emergency.
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Conclusion
Kalsubai trek amid Western ghats is a spectacular place to visit for nature lovers and trekkers alike. For nature lovers, the flora and fauna are very appealing while travel junkies can explore the place for its medium-level difficulty level. The Kalsubai trekking starts from the Baari village that is well connected by road from Igatpuri and Kasara. One can travel both by road or take a train to the Igatpuri and Kasara and then reach Baari by road. The Baari is the place to commence the journey to the Kalsubai peak.
The trekking is moderately difficult with terrain that is both challenging to the body but extremely appealing to the eyes due to the beauty of the place, overall a fun and satisfying experience. The icing on the cake after trekking the height is the panoramic view from the Kalsubai peak. Only at the top, one can admire the brilliant craftsmanship and sculptural beauty carved by nature.
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