If you like to do a trek then the Maharashtra State is a complete package for you. Maharashtra state has beautiful hill forts in almost each and every district. Every fort has its own history and has become popular trekking and hiking destination over a period of time.
Harihar Fort or Harshagad is one such fort, nestled atop lush green hills of Sahyadri, also known as the Western Ghats. The fort is located around 40 km from Nashik City and 48 km from Igatpuri. This Fort is very famous for its adventures 80 degrees steep slope of intrinsic, peculiar-shaped rock-cut steps.
I have provided all the information below and I hope that with the help of my blog you can complete your trek on budget and enjoy every piece of your trekking experience.
Table of Contents
WATCH COMPLETE DETAILS ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Harihar Fort History
Harihar Fort is situated in the Trimbakeshwar Mountain Range of Western Ghats. The Fort was built by the Seuna or Yadava Dynasty (between the 9th and 14th centuries). The fort was substantially important to safeguard the trade route passed through the Gonda Ghat.
Ever since the fort was built it was attacked and captured by various invaders until the British Army took over. This was one of the forts in the possession of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.
In 1636, along with Harihar Fort, the Trimbak, Tringalvadi, and a few other Poona (now Pune) Forts were surrendered by Shahaji Bhosale to the Mughal General Khan Zaman. Harihar Fort was one of the 17 strong forts that were surrendered to the British on the fall of Trimbak in 1818 when all these forts were captured by Captain Briggs.
Reaching the Base Village
There are two base villages to start your trek for Harihar Fort and the villages are Harshewadi, Nirgudpada or Kotamvadi. The route from Harshewadi is easier and quicker than from the Nirgudpada.
Harshewadi Village:
If you are not physically active in your daily life then I will recommend starting your trek from Harshewadi Village. As the route is shot and you just have to climb the small mountain.
The Harshewadi village is just 13 km away from Trimbakeshwar. If you are coming from Nashik (like I did) then from Nashik Railway Station catch the intercity bus (Bus No – 145 and 245) and get down at Trimbakeshwar. As the Trimbakeshwar is the last stop so you don’t have to worry about the route.
Bus fare will be around under Rs.60, I take the same bus from CBS bus stand at from their bus fare was Rs.45. Buses are available every 20-30min starting from 5:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening.
From Trimbakeshwar you have to take a shared taxi or local bus. If you are in a group then book a cab from Trimbakeshwar to Harshewadi as the total cost will be very low then. Generally, if you book a taxi or cab or auto from Trimbakeshwar then the charges will be around Rs.800 to Rs.1000 (Both sides: Trimbakeshwar to Harshewadi and then Harshewadi to Trimbakeshwar). You can also book a cab from Nashik Road then it will cost you around Rs.1500 to Rs.2000. Renting a bike or active option is also available in Nashik as the cost per day will be Rs.500 to Rs.800
Nirgudpada Village:
For traveling from Mumbai to Nirgudpada, you can get down at Kasara or Nashik rail station. From Mumbai CST, you can get a local train every 15 minutes. From Kasara, you can get a cab to Khodala, another junction 30 km from here. From Khodala, you can get a private or shared taxi to Nirgudpada.
From Nashik, get a state transport bus to reach Trimbakeshwar, from there get a cab that goes to Nirgudpada. Another way to reach Nirgudpada from Mumbai is to reach Igatpuri by train. From Igatpuri, get into any bus that goes to Trimbakeshwar, via Nirgudpada. From Nirgudpada village, the exact location to enter the Kotamwadi village is opposite to the Harihar Dhaba, which is very close to the Nirgudpada bus stop.
Also Read: Kasol Complete Tour Guide in Budget
Harihar Fort Trek Route and Guide
Harihar Fort Trek can be divided into two sections-
Base village to the plateau (Section – 1)
As there are two base villages to start your trek, so you can choose according to your convenience to start the trek. Both routes will give you a beautiful trekking experience.
The wide trail moves away from the Kotamwadi Village towards the Trimbak region bypassing the paddy fields. The trail starts gradually climbing up, after crossing the fields. It goes through a bushy forest until it reaches an open ridge. That ridge is connected to the fort. During the monsoons, several small streams can be found on the way.
After trekking on the same trail for a little while, you will reach the plateau. The trail from Harshewadi village also leads to here. As I have started my trekking from Harshewadi village so I will give you brief details about the route:
View from the starting point of trek from Harshewadi village is really awesome. As you can see in the below pics. The mountain which we can see on the top is Harihar Fort.
You will find the route very interesting and the view gets better and better once the trek starts. You can do this trek solo as well. In every few steps, you will find a board that gives you the direction of your way to the fort.
Try to start your trek early in the morning as the weather gets very hot after 12.00. Carry at least two-liter of water and some dry snacks with you. Although if you forget to carry it then you can find the same in your route while trekking as there are small shops available in the plateau.
Plateau to the top through the vertical steps (Section – 2)
Once you reach the plateau the view gets more beautiful and the vision of 80 degrees so the stair comes more visible. From the plateau, the most challenging part of the trek starts and there is a small stall at the end of the plateau to refuel for the exciting and demanding trek ahead.
Take rest and fill your energy back with some water and snacks as the most challenging and adventurous parts are about to start from here.
Pro Tip: If you have any issue with the height or have any fear of height then please do not attempt this trek.
The steps are broken in many places but need not worry about anything as there are perfectly carved holes there in every step which will help you to climb easily. During monsoon season, the steps are very slippery.
You will see a door also called Mahadarvaja once you start climbing and around 90 steps are there before reaching the Mahadarvaja. Door’s are very old and I don’t have information about who built this so let’s move forward.
Do not try to look back while climbing as the view is beautiful but a bit dangerous. After the entrance, the path takes a left traverse. Here, on the left side, you will find amazing valley views and the right side is the wall of the fort.
On moving forward you will see more steps on your way which are steeper than the previous ones. Here, you have to climb up around 100 steps to reach the top. Once you start climbing you see a cave where you have to climb on almost 90-degree stairs and after crossing the cave you will see a big door again which means you have almost reached the top.
Once you reach the top enjoy the magnificent view and prepare yourself to get down. You can also stay there for the night if you have a tent (not on the top of the mountain, instead of on the plateau). On the top, you will find Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva temple, also there are three small Talab.
Watch our Harihar Fort video for an amazing Drone View of Harihar Fort
Stay and Food Options
If you have your tent then you can easily stay in Harihar Fort or in both base villages. Nirgudpada village provides a homestay facility. Harshewadi isn’t that developed in terms of food and stay arrangements. There are a few roadside dhabas you can try out.
Things to Remember
- Harihar Fort Trek does not require any permission from the tourism or forest department.
- Minimum of 2 litres water, ORS, Glucose, First-aid kit and other personal care medicines are needed to carry.
- Quick-dry t-shirts are preferable over cotton tees, especially during a monsoon trek.
- Carry a valid ID card.
- Carry some ready-to-eat high-calorie dry food items. After leaving the base villages, there is only a small shop on the plateau that is available for getting water and some snacks.
- Wear comfortable shoes and carry extra pair of socks, poncho and windcheater for monsoon trekking.
- Carrying a whistle is useful for emergency situations.
- Opting for light-weight packing and haversack instead of a sling bag or slide bag, for more convenient hands-free climbing.
- In case of availing public transport for return journey, only a few buses to Nashik or Trimbak are available after 3 pm.
- Beginners and persons with medical issues are advised to avoid the trek, especially the demanding high-altitude climbing of the second section.
Harihar Fort: Nearby Attractions
- Dugarwadi Waterfall (4.9 km)
- Lake Vaitarna Waterfalls (6.1 km)
- Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple Jyotirling (8.5 km)
- Bhaskargad/Basgad (9.3 km)
- Deobandh Temple (11 km)
- Metghar Fort Ghat (11.2 km)
- Warunase Palace (12.9 km)
- Talegaon Kachurli (13.2 km)
- Amboli Dam (13.2 km)
- Durg Bhandar, Metghar Killa (13.3 km)
- Kushavarta Kund (13.5 km)
- Sant Shreshtha Shree Nivruttinath Maharaj Temple (13.8 km)
- Nivruttinath Maharaj Samadhi Mandir (13.8 km)
- Goutam Talav (13.8 km)
- Shri Gajanan Vatika (14 km)
- Origin of Godavari River/Gangadwar (14.4 km)
- Shiv Jata Mandir, Metghar Killa (14.9 km)
- Anjaneri Fort (16.4 km)
- Anjaneri Hills (17.6 km)
- Anjaneri Lake (17.6 km)
- Siddh Hanuman Temple (Anjaneri) (18.5 km)
- Dev Bappa Mauli Dham (19.4 km)