Waterfall No. 1- Devkund Falls, Maharashtra
This is one of my favourite treks. I always like trek to places which has a water body in the end because you can take a dip and forget about the effort it took to reach there. There is a 2 to 3 hour long trek to reach this place but mostly its a walk along a pretty lake, also called Bhira Dam. This fall is enclosed in a cave and hence its always cold there. Best time to visit here is technically rains but then the trek gets too risky on the rains and is now shut. Ideal time to visit is between September to December. Do go with the preparation to jump in the water as thats the only fun part of this place. Also there is no place to change after the dip, so i mean quick dry cloths
How To Reach. A road trip till the Bhira power plant and a trek from there. There are no shacks selling food on the way as its not a very commercial trek so load up on the lunch at Bhira itself
How Much Time- Its a 3 hour trek one way. Keep atleast 2 hours to spend in Devkund. Leave early in the morning aand you can be back by 6-7 pm
What to do- There is a village establishment in the start of the trek, you can either have a heavy breakfast and come back and have a late lunch at 4 or pack some food for a picnic at Devkund. Its a beautiful site for Picnic Lunch.
If you dont want to spend the weekend sitting home and if you stay in Mumbai or Pune, this blog is for you. There are many waterfalls and mountains around Mumbai where you can have a quick day trip too and enjoy the nature. Heres some really good ones-
Waterfall No. 2- Bhivpuri Waterfalls, Maharashtra
This falls is really dear to me because I did an adventure sport here. Instead of going to the base of the falls we decided to go to the top of this fall and rappel our way down. One of the most challenging adventure as the force of the water on you is tooo high and you have no idea where you are stepping. Only if you go with trained professionals you can do this. The trek to this place is fairly simple. You can go by local train itself, get down at Bhivpuri road and start the trek from the station itself. There is a natural pool on the top of the falls too to have a swim and chill for a bit. Then you get your safety instructions and gear. The start of the rappelling is really difficult but as you go down you get a hang of it. Its truly one of a kind experience
How To Reach- Take a Karjat local early in the morning and get down at Bhivpuri road. There is a small cafe on the station where you can have your breakfast. Start the trek from here itself to Bhivpuri falls. Its almost 2 hour trek
How Much time- Its a Half day trek only so you can go it the morning and be free by 2 pm. Make sure you go in the months after july only till September as this is a monsoon waterfall only
What to do- Its a complete jungle trek so no place to stay or refresh. You need to carry your food and enjoy it besides the falls. You can carry your tent too and camp but its not recommended.
PS: That person in blue is me only
Waterfall No. 3- Bhavli Waterfall, Igatpuri
Igatpuri is heavenly in Rains. The road towards Bhavli dam is full of waterfalls. Its a narrow road that leads to dam with only a few highs and lows. Hence its a perfect road for a cycling trip. The only problem if the downpour of rains is heavy you can barely see where you are cycling. Its also a perfect place for a romantic long drive as Igatpuri is just 3 hours away from Mumbai. I had a chance to enjoy both a long drive as well as a cycling ride and it was just amazing. You will find a lot of tourist on a weekend here but there are multiple falls in this area not many people know. If you drive for 5-6 kms ahead of the damn a huge Waterfall comes with a natural pool where you can take a dip peacefully.
How To Reach- If you are driving then Highway from Thane will take you straight to Igatpuri. Take a right from main road for Bhavli Dam. The series of waterfalls starts there. You can also take a train till igatpuri and go cycling or in local autos
How Much Time - It takes 2 hours in the Train and 3 hours by road to reach from Mumbai. From Igatpuri Station the Bhavli dam is just 15 km away. If you are cycling it takes about half hour.
What To Do- Trek down till the waterfall and enjoy the misty feel of the fall. Also take a dip in the natural pool. There are litte huts on the highway that make hot tea, maggi and sweetcorn. Make sure to enjoy that after the dip.
Waterfall No.4 - Malshej Ghat
The perfect place for a nice quite long drive in the Monsoon season....Just after July there are multiple waterfalls right on the road. Just step out of your car and enjoy the falls. Its only 2 hours away from Mumbai. Endure you wear quick dry cloths as there is no place to change if you choose to take a dip in these waterfalls. There is one Hotel at the end of the road which is maintained by MTDC. Hence there is no place to stay around here. If you are bored sitting home on a weekend then this is the best place to be.
How To Reach - You need to either drive your own car or hire a Ola Outstation for a single day. This place is perfect for a long drive only. The road that goes out from Kalyan Takes you to Malshej Ghat. It around 130 kms away from Mumbai
How Much Time- It takes 2 to 2 and half hours to reach Malshej. You can easily spend one - two ours in the various waterfalls along the road and be back by the evening.
What To Do- Hike up the falls, Click lots of pictures, Enjoy the long drive and have hot maggie and bhutta at the roadside shacks. Its s perfect family gateway place.
Waterfall No. 5- Tringalwadi
Maharashtra has some amazing and beautiful treks and in the rains these treks become even prettier with the numerous waterfalls and clouds on the peaks. Tringalwadi fort trek is one such trek. Its very close to Igatpuri. So you can either go directly via Igatpuri or take a local train till Kasara and drive down in local taxis and share cabs. The trek starts at a village and you need to cross a small pond which has knee length water. Then you will see a ruins of a Jain Temple and right besides the temple is this huge waterfall. The flow of water entirely depends on the Rain condition. You need to cross this waterfall to go ahead to the fort so be careful. Many who are not interested in fort also go back from here itself. The entire way has many more smaller waterfalls to enjoy so its recommended to complete the trek.
How to Reach - You can reach via local train till Kasara and a local transport till Igatpuri or book a intercity train n go directly till Igatpuri. The starting point of trek is very close to Igatpuri station
How Much Time- Travel time is 3 hours and trek also takes about 3 hours to reach the top. If you leave early at 6-7 you can be back by 7 in the evening.
What To Do- You can have breakfast at the kasara/ Igatpuri station. Make sure its a heavy one if you are not carrying packed Lunch. There is a nice table top at the fort to enjoy a picnic with packed lunch. Or you can just keep some fruits and have heavy snacks when you are back at the station( approximately by 4 pm).
