Ok, I have a thing for hills and woods. Even best if they come in form of fort. I wonder how smartly our great kings built forts for giving shelter to their soldiers to keep them safe from the enemies during battles. King and his special people would easily repulse the enemy by engaging them into thinking what next move former would make against latter. Now that hide and seek seems much dangerous here, ours is just nothing.
This trek was different. To begin with, first I thought it is going to be a hiking experience. But as I progressed it became tough. I had to climb stairs stretched till 2 km to reach Korigad Fort. At parking, when we looked at the peak, we were sure, "This is definitely not the one we are doing". And surprise!!, we realized only after reaching on top that yeah it is the one.
Korigad Fort seems tough, but on the contrary it is lengthy (for beginners like me), and exhausting yet pleasant trek
A little about this trail:
There are two options to start your trek, one you start with flat area which most families will choose. Second, you can opt for rough climb. Both the trails meet where stairs start. I chose to take tough trail while returning.
How far is Korigad from Pune?
It is 91 kilometers from Pune and 23 minute ride from Lion's point. Take the Aamby Valley road. Take bike if you are with friends, I would prefer that as you can reach faster on weekends and in monsoon. We took car and while returning, it took us 6 hours to reach Pune. It is good that we planned to leave for Lonavala early in the morning, this way we were able to click scenic pictures. The road is pretty beautiful, specially during monsoon.
Way to lonavala->Korigad
When Korigad Fort Was Built?
Chatrapti Shivaji Maharaj took this fort under his possession and it stayed under Maratha regime for long long period of time since then. When I was at the corner of the fort, some exited youth were chanting his name with full pride and gaiety. No one knows the time of its formation but it is said that it must have built nearly around year 1500 and in 1657 Maharaj had it under his name.
Korigad fort is also called as Koraigad fort
How Fort Looks Once You Reach Plateau?
To be honest, when I reached there, I felt like I was at some English Countryside. Photographs that I have captured are proof of that. It is not at all small, there are water bodies, referred by travelers as lake. Just giving a complete curce by standing in one place, will give you best view of the plateau. A temple of Korai Devi, wide angle view of city from the top and far reaching green grass was not less than a treat to watch.
You can bring your own food and enjoy picnic with your family and friends. Make sure you keep garbage in a bag that you carry since there are no garbage bins there.
I fell for its beauty and cleanliness.
Where can I eat while On My Way Back?
There many famous restaurants and rest stops on your way back to Pune. I have always preferred Bhajan Singh Da Dhaba, but you can also go for India's one of the best dhabas "Kinara Village". I have heard that it is one out of ten best dhabas in India competing Murthal House.
Korigad Fort trek is exciting, beautiful and will leave you tired for the day. You might want to come here on Saturdays so that you have Sundays to yourself for rest.