Peth Fort Kotligad Trek In Maharashtra

Peth Fort is located in the heights of the Sahyadri Mountain Range. It looks like an inverted funnel above the landscape around it. In fact, it is a plug formed by the cooling of lava that flowed and created the Deccan Plateau. The outer layers which are soft now were eroded for ages and now hold their heads high in form of peaks like Kotligad as the Peth peak is known as.

Peth Fort acted as a watch post for the soldiers who used to guard the Bhor Ghat-an important trade route between Pune and the port of Kalyan, long back. The Fort played a vital role in keeping trade routes open. The Fort was captured only by conspiracy. Legend holds that the commander of the Fort mistook the Mughals for the Marathas and allowed them to approach the fort. Peth Fort Kotligad trek in Maharashtra takes you to one of the most beautiful places in India.

Trekking Peth Fort Kotligad in Maharashtra

Day1

Ambivli-Peth

Turn right before Ambivli village. After treading for half kilometer, path to Peth stems to left. This path takes you to the hill's base from where a trail climbs to Peth village.

The path to the Peth Fort moves north of the fort's base. Cross the village and catch a path leading to the peak's base. Half way up, take the route to the right bringing you to an old canon.

A sheer climb to the top of the apex is through a stone staircase-the only way to the top. Maratha ruins lie at the summit reminding the time when the fort was a watch post for guarding the Bhor Pass. Here you get the wonderful views of Karjat and Bhimashankar ranges, Padar Killa, many cascades (during monsoons) and Matheran. Camp at Peth Fort caves or take a lodging at Peth village. Between June and mid of October, it is impossible to camp in the open because of monsoon.

Day 2

Peth-Ambivli

Retrace your steps to Ambivli. Then, slope down. As an alternate, you can take a lesser known path from outside Peth village to Jambuli village. It is advisable to take a guide as the path is often overgrown and indistinct. From Jambuli village, there are many buses and auto rickshaw that will take you to Karjat.

Trekking Options

Peth Fort is not connected to the main ghats that run from north to south. So, no direct route leads to the surrounding hills and you have to slope down into the plains and then you have to climb again, whether you are going to Bhimashankar or Padar Killa or up to the Bhivpuri Tunnels.

There is an interesting combination. It is to link your trek to Peth with one trek to Bhimashankar. You will have to take a bus from Jambuli to Kashele or Khandas. It is from there, that you have to start your hike to Bhimashankar.

Peth Fort Kotligad trek in Maharashtra will impress you so much so that you will love to return to this place a number of times. Especially during the monsoon, the trek is very delightful. Here, you will be captivated by the charisma of the place which is alluring and magnetic like William Wordsworth's solitary reaper.