Irshalgad Fort Trek

Irshalgad Fort Trek Overview:

Right between the picturesque hill station of Matheran and Panvel, one can spot a distinct, boat-shaped rock structure located adjacent to Morbe Dam. Going by the name Irshalgad, where ‘Irshal’ means pinnacle and ‘gad’ means fort, this relatively offbeat trek is an exciting one-day adventure in the Sahyadris.

Easily accessible by road from Mumbai (60 km) and Pune (100 km), the Irshalgad Fort trek is a perfect introduction for beginner trekkers. Spanning just over 6 km, this easy-to-moderate trail offers panoramic views of the pristine Morbe Dam and prominent forts like Kalavantin Durg, Rajmachi, Sondai, and Prabalgad (to which it is considered a sister fort), all while delivering an enjoyable adrenaline rush as you scale its rocky faces to the top.

To further pique your curiosity, Irshalgad is one of the handful forts in the Western Ghats that house a ‘nedhe’ or a ‘needle hole’, which is a natural hole formed within a rock structure through decades of wind and water erosion. This unique feature can be spotted from miles away on the Mumbai-Pune expressway and is one of the key attractions which has drawn people to it!

With a few steep sections mixed in with a gentle ascent to its plateau, a visit to the nedhe and a narrow ridge leading to its sharp pinnacle, the Irshalgad fort trek is a wonderful choice in the monsoons or winter to experience nature at its finest!

Location & How to get to Irshalgad Fort?

The fort lies adjacent to Panvel and Matheran and is easily accessible from either Pune or Mumbai, given its proximity to these two major metro cities.

• Base Village – Nanivali
• Roadhead – Chouk
• Nearest Railway Station – Karjat

From Mumbai – Irshalgad fort is roughly 60 kms by road and can easily be accessed in 60-90 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take a local train to Panvel or Karjat followed by public transport to Chouk Phata via a bus or shared rickshaw.

From Pune – Located approximately 100 kms from Pune, the best mode of transport is a personal vehicle all the way to Nanivali village via the expressway OR taking a local train to Panvel or Karjat subsequently followed by public transport.

At Adventure Pulse, we organise a comfortable minibus from Pune and back!

Distance, Duration and Difficulty?

The Irshalgad fort trek can be graded an easy to moderate trail. For seasoned trekkers, it’s an extremely comfortable outing and it also provides an opportunity to safely introduce novices or beginners to trekking.

From Nanivali to the pinnacle and back is just over 6 kms and the trek can easily be completed in about 4 hours.

The trek can be broken into 3 distinct stages:

• A gradual ascent to the machi (plateau) right under the fort
• A tricky yet relatively safe rock climb (now aided by fixed ladders and ropes) to the nedhe
• The short final climb to the top of the pinnacle – this should not be attempted in the monsoons as the rock is very slippery and can lead to severe injuries due to the exposure on both sides of the pinnacle. Only those with sound climbing skills should attempt it in drier conditions, ideally with technical equipment and ropes.

The first two sections pack a ton of adventure in itself and most trekkers thoroughly enjoy the peace and tranquillity of sitting at the nedhe gazing at a glorious sunrise over Morbe Dam!

Best Time to do the Irshalgad Fort Trek:

While the trek is open throughout the year, one can get the most out of visiting Irshalgad during the monsoon and winter months.

During the rains, the forested region around the fort turns lush green, with mist and fog creating an enchanting setting for the walk. Combined with the howling winds at the nedhe, the dew-laden foliage, and the clouds rolling in over Morbe Dam, it’s truly worth the time and energy spent climbing up to Irshalgad.

Contrastingly, winter is the ideal time to camp at the fort and enjoy the best views of the Sahyadris all around. The hues at sunrise and sunset are unmatched, and nothing beats a hot cup of coffee or tea to warm yourself against the lovely chill in the air!

Both seasons offer a fantastic experience—and time permitting, it’s worth walking to Irshalgad in both settings!

Major Attractions on the Trek:

• Panoramic views of the Matheran plateau & the beautiful expanse of Morbe Dam!

• Spotting forts like Prabalgad, Kalavantin Durg, Rajmachi and Sondai

• Visiting the iconic nedhe (natural rock window) offering a dramatic frame and exhilarating experience

• Lush trail with rich flora and occasional wildlife, especially post-monsoon

• Rock-cut water cisterns—historic and still functional

• Pinnacle climb for the adventurous, with rewarding summit vistas