Kalsubai Peak

Kalsubai Peak is a mountain in the Western Ghats, located 32 km away from the hill station of Igatpuri. Situated at an elevation of 5,400 feet the Kalsubai mountain peak is the highest peak of the Sahyadris. Hence, it is also known as the Everest of Maharashtra.

The spectacular mountain range lies within the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary, and is a popular trekking spot. The trek is relatively easy with some adventurous patches on the way. During monsoon, the landscape of Mt. Kalsubai completely transforms with lush greenery and a wide variety of flora covering every bit of the terrain.

Besides trekkers, a large number of devotees climb up the mountain to visit the Kalsubai Temple located on the summit. According to a local legend, Kalsubai Mountain and Kalsubai Temple are named after a woman named Kalsu Bai. She was said to be a housemaid, who disappeared near the mountain while trying to escape the torment meted out by her employer. The temple is dedicated to her memory and she is considered as a local deity. Every Tuesday and Thursday a traditional ‘puja’ is held at this temple, by the temple priest. Thousands of devotees’ visit the Kalsubai Temple during Navratri, and celebrate the 9-day festival with great fervor.

Start the Kalsubai trek early in the morning from Bari village, the base village. Walk through the Bari village till you leave reach its end. Then, walk through some fields and cross a small stream of the Wari River to reach a small Hanuman Temple. The Hanuman temple is considered to be the starting point of the trek. The summit and the flag of Kalsubai is visible from this point. Rest at the temple for a while, hydrate yourself and grab a quick bite, before resuming the trek.

A gradual ascend begins from here. As you proceed, keep following the clearly marked trail. An hour later, you reach the first iron ladder. Climb the long ladder cautiously as it may be slippery due to rains. There are four more similar iron ladders along the way, and all of them are considerably steep. Each ladder is followed by an ascending slope which flattens out in some parts.

After 3 hours of trekking, you finally reach the last ladder leading to the summit. The ascent is extremely steep and vertical. But once you set foot on the summit, you feel simply elated. After a demanding trek, you are rewarded by outstanding panoramic views of the region. You can now relax and take in the sheer beauty of the Bhandardara Dam and the backwaters of the Pravara River. In addition, enjoy the stunning views of Harihargad Fort, Harishchandragad Fort, Ratangad Fort and the Alang-Madan-Kulang Forts.

Once you have fully absorbed the breathtaking scenery, begin to descend down the same path. Be extra careful during the descent down the ladders. After 3 hours of a downward climb, you reach the base of the trek.