Overview
Duke’s Nose, one of the most iconic cliffs in the Sahyadri range, transforms into a lush green wonderland during the monsoon. From June to September, this trail comes alive—mist-draped forests, dramatic valley views, and carpets of wild grass attracting thousands of nature lovers each weekend.
But with rising popularity comes a sobering reality. Over the last decade, trekking in the Sahyadris has become chaotic. The sheer volume of weekend trekkers has led to crowd control issues, safety concerns, and growing ecological damage to these fragile landscapes.
The most frequented trail to Duke’s Nose begins at Kurvande village. It’s a quick one-hour hike to the top, making it an easy pick for casual trekkers—and unfortunately, a magnet for weekend crowds.
Seeking something different, the team at Adventure Pulse explored an alternate route. What we discovered was a quieter, wilder trail—a 5 to 6 hour round trip through rolling meadows and dense undergrowth, far removed from the usual buzz. Apart from a few grazing cows and their caretakers, we had the mountains entirely to ourselves.
This off-beat trail is everything the mountains are meant to be: peaceful, immersive, and personal. Just the rhythm of your breath, your boots, and the occasional call of a bird cutting through the mist.
Here are a few glimpses from our recent batch to Duke’s Nose—a day none of us will forget.
1. Drive to the Trek
The drive from the city to the start point of the trek is a journey in itself. Beautiful, breezy, and ever-changing with the seasons. As you leave the city behind, the road begins to wind through rolling hills, lush fields, and old tunnels carved into the Sahyadris. During the monsoon, waterfalls pour down the cliffs, mist clings to the valleys, and every turn reveals a new postcard-worthy view. Whether you’re cruising along the expressway or taking the scenic old highway, the ride sets the perfect tone for the adventure that awaits in the hills.
2. Forest Patches on the Trek
The Duke’s Nose trek winds through enchanting forest patches that offer a refreshing contrast to the exposed cliffside views. These wooded sections are alive with the sounds of birds and the scent of damp earth, especially during monsoons. Towering trees, moss-covered rocks, and occasional clearings give the trail a mystical charm—offering both shade and serenity before the final ascent to the dramatic cliff edge.
3. Open meadows
As you climb higher on the Duke’s Nose trek, the dense forest gives way to wide, open meadows that feel like nature’s own amphitheatre. These grassy expanses stretch out under the open sky, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and hills. Especially after the rains, the meadows come alive in shades of green, dotted with wildflowers and kissed by cool mountain breezes—making it a perfect spot to pause, breathe, and take it all in.
4. Cascading waterfalls
Tucked along the Duke’s Nose trek, especially during the monsoon months, is a hidden gem—a cascading waterfall that adds a magical touch to the trek. The sound of rushing water grows louder as you approach, and soon you’re greeted by a silvery stream tumbling over rocks into a cool, shallow pool. Surrounded by lush greenery and misty air, it’s the perfect spot to rest your legs, dip your feet, and soak in the raw, refreshing beauty of the Sahyadris.
5. Lakes on the trail
Scattered along the Duke’s Nose trek are a few serene, rain-fed lakes that quietly appear like hidden mirrors in the landscape. These small water bodies reflect the surrounding greenery and sky, adding a peaceful, almost surreal charm to the route. Especially during and after the monsoon, they brim with clear water, inviting trekkers to pause, listen to the silence, and enjoy nature’s delicate details tucked away off the main path.
6. Top of the nose and the views on the trek
Standing at the top of Duke’s Nose, you’re rewarded with a panoramic spectacle that stretches far beyond the horizon. The cliff drops steeply beneath your feet, offering vertigo-inducing views of the verdant valleys. A landscape view, you wont be able to get enough of.
5. Extremely dense jungle and Vertical view of the Nose (Alternate route)
There’s an alternate trail on the Duke’s Nose trek that veers off into a wild, untamed stretch of dense jungle. This path winds sharply in zig-zags, surrounded by thick foliage. Moreover it has overgrown branches, and a near-constant canopy of green which is stunning and scary at the same time.
It’s a more adventurous route—narrow, slippery, and less frequented. Instead of reaching the summit, it leads to a dramatic viewpoint right in front of the nose itself, offering a rare, vertical perspective of the towering cliff face—majestic, sheer, and humbling from below.
Stunning pictures aren’t they?
Our next batch for the Dukes Nose Trek happens on Sunday, 3rd August 2025. Join our team and experience the beauty firsthand! See you in the Jungle! Click here for details..
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