Treks to forts in Konkan and Nashik a huge draw in winter

PUNE: Trekkers have their eyes set on popular hill forts like Harishchandragad, Vasota and Torna this winter.
Rucha Inamdar, a content writer and hard-core trekker, said winter is the best season for difficult treks. “It is always better to go in for rigorous treks in winter. Not only will you find a lot of options in forts and rocky trails, but the physical activity will keep you warm when you summit as well,” she said.
Satish Marathe, founder-director of 23-year-old trekking outfit Giridarshan, said winter offers some of the most spectacular views and was ideal for trekkers because of the cool weather and clear skies.
Trekkers found an adrenaline rush that challenged their physical endurance. “The Alang-Mandan-Kulang forts are a popular choice. This trek has rocky patches to climb. Trekkers find this a tough trek that has a thrill factor,” Marathe added.
Harishchandragad fort was another favourite. “The most popular point is the famous rocky cliff face called Konkan Kada that is 2,000 feet high and has a distinct cliff overhang. Nowadays, there are camping options available on top of the fort as well,” he said.
Other hotspots include a trek from Rajgad to Torna. “The two forts are historically significant and have important structures. Trekkers can walk from one to the other,” he said.
Darshan Gugle, founder of Trekfit set up in 2015, said Vasota was popular as a camping spot since it passed via the Kaas valley.
“In winters, we get many takers for the Vasota overnight trek, which is near Satara. The route is via Kaas Valley and Vasota is a half an hour away. This is special for camping near Shivsagar lake. The next day you have to travel in a boat, following which the trek starts. One navigates the dense Vasota jungle for two hours and there are good viewpoints at the top. There’s Babu kada at the top, and another point from where you can see the whole Chiplun region also,” he said.
Sandhan valley and Kalsubai were other favourites. “In Sandhan valley, you have to wade through waist-deep water for 3km to cross. You have to rappel in some areas. For Kalsubai in the Bhandardara region, you have to climb for three hours to reach the top. The best time is to reach before sunrise,” he said.
Dinesh Kotkar, course coordinator at Guardian Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering (GGIM), said people preferred Nashik and Konkan regions for winter treks. “Mostly, people flock to the Konkan because nobody prefers to go to the Konkan side during summers and monsoons because of high humidity levels,” he said.