Exhilarating Harishchandragad Trek via Nalichi Vaat

The historically significant fort of Harishchandragad, situated near Malshej Ghat, is one of the highest peaks in the Sahyadris and an extremely popular trekking destination.

Harishchandragad lies at the location where the boundaries of Thane, Pune and Ahmednagar districts converge. From Pune, you can take a bus to go to Malshej Ghat. From Malshej Ghat, take a bus to Belpada village. From Belpada, there are multiple trails leading to the top of Harishchandragad.

One of the trails from Belpada village is via Nalichi Vaat, which means ‘a passage through a gorge’. This trail lies to the extreme right of the hill. Climbing the hill via Nalichi Vaat is extremely tough and tiring. The trek involves an almost 80-degree climb over steep rocky patches. Only seasoned and professional trekkers opt to use this route to reach the fort. It is necessary to carry mountaineering and rock-climbing equipment to do this trek.

The trek is challenging but seems worth the effort once you reach the top of the fort. The breath-taking panoramic views of the entire region are truly priceless. Trekkers usually prefer a two-day trek to Harischandragad – one day is spent climbing the fort and another is spent exploring the ancient remnants and structures atop the fort. This trek is one of the most difficult treks in the Sahyadris, second only to the AMK and Kalsubai Peak Trek