Harihar Fort trek is one of the Best Indian Treks in the Nashik District & most popular among trekkers. This Fort is also known as Harshagad because of its base village Harshewadi. It’s around 42 km away from the Nashik city and almost 50 km away from Igatpuri and Kasara, the nearest railway stations for trekkers coming from Pune and Mumbai.
Harihar fort is famous because of its rock-carved steps. Trekkers from Maharashtra and all over India give a visit to this fort to feel the adrenaline rush of this wild adventure.
This fort is one of the most important forts in Nashik district and is built during the Yadava dynasty period. They constructed Harihar fort to keep an eye on the trade route through Gonda Ghat.
Let’s see some quick facts before you go to Harihar fort trek.
Content:
- Harihar fort trek under a minute
- Why should you visit Harihar Fort?
- How do you get to Harihar fort?
- How much time needed to climb Harihar Fort?
- Best time to visit Harihar fort
- Staying overnight on the Harihar fort
- Is Harihar Fort dangerous?
- Harihar Fort History
- What to carry for the Harihar Fort Trek
- What to do after the Harihar Fort Trek
Harihar Fort Trek, Nashik – Adventurous route at the 1120m elevation
Difficulty Level: Hard
Type of a trek: One day trek
Best time to visit Harihar Fort: Winter Season, November to February
Distance from Nashik: 42 km
Base villages: Harshewadi and Nirgudpada
The time needed to climb Harihar Fort: 2 hour
Why should you visit Harihar Fort?
Harihar Fort trek is popular among the adventurous trekkers. You will get a huge crowd on the weekends. The rock-carved 80-degree steep steps attract many tourists and trekkers to this trek.
It’s a great one-day adventure trek and how can you forget the 360-degree view from the top of the fort.
Harihar Fort also has strategic importance. This fort is built to watch the trade route through Gonda Ghat.
There are few historical structures remain on the fort. You can see the Hanuman Temple, Shiva Temple, water cisterns and one storage house. There are many forts in surrounding such as Bhaskargad, Anjaneri fort, Brahmagiri hill and Utwad fort.
How do you get to Harihar fort?
Well, it’s quite simple. There are two different routes to go to Harihar Fort.
If you are coming from Nashik then NAYUYUTY4019019NEWETREWT.9093295,73.4407204,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3be7601b9df6b989:0xa31e8ea810852e0b!8m2!3d19.9148995!4d73.456324" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Harshewadi is going to be your starting point for the trek. It is around 42 km away from Nashik city and it’s also an easy way compared to the other route.
If you are coming from Pune or Mumbai then you can start your trek from NAYUYUTY4019019NEWETREWT.8971899,73.4527552,18z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3be7602329f16359:0xcd3321c07f58fc5b!8m2!3d19.8969792!4d73.4537461" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Nirgudpada. Nirgudpada is around 50 km away from Igatpuri. I am telling the distance from Igatpuri because it is the nearest railway station for the trekkers coming from Mumbai and Pune.
There is public and private transport service available. But I will recommend you to come with your own vehicle because then you will not have any time restriction.
Both the routes meet at a certain point from where you can start the further trek. So choose either route as it doesn’t matter.
How much time needed to climb Harihar Fort?
You will reach at the starting point of the Harihar Fort steps after walking for around 1 hour. There are around 117 steps so consider a half-hour climb on the 80 degree steep steps. Thanks to the holdings carved on either side of each step that will help you climb. Don’t forget the principle of Three-Point Contact.
Once you reach the main entrance there is a turn to the left side. Take great precaution going through this narrow passage. After some walking, there are another set of steps which are more steep and inclined. Only one person can use these steps at a time. And after entering through the second entrance you will reach the top of the fort.
To get a 360-degree view, you need to walk further for 10 minutes. And you can get an amazing view of the mighty Sahyadri range from the top of Balekilla.
Consider an hour to see all the places on the fort and then you can descend.
Best time to visit Harihar fort
The best time to visit this fort is in winter season after the rainy days are over. You can come all year long but November to February are ideal.
Avoid going on the weekend because there will be a huge crowd of the trekkers. You can visit this trek in the monsoon season but the slippery steps will make the trek dangerous. Also due to rain and clouds, you will not get a clear view of the surrounding mesmerizing Sahyadri range.
Start the trek as early as possible to avoid the harsh sunlight in the afternoon. If you are an experienced trekker and if you know the route very well then plan the trek so that you can capture the beautiful sunrise from the top of the Harihar fort.
You can hire a local guide from the base village at an affordable price.
Staying overnight on the Harihar fort
There is no need to take permission to do Harihar fort trek. You can spend a night on the fort in your tents. You can also stay at the local’s house at the base village.
Take proper precaution if you are going to stay overnight on the fort. There is a very weak signal available on the fort which is not reliable at all.
Is Harihar Fort dangerous?
Yes, Harihar fort trek is dangerous if you act carelessly. Trekking is an adventurous activity so you need to be careful no matter on which trek you are going.
Harihar fort has very steep steps almost at 80-degree angle, which makes it one of the toughest treks in Maharashtra.
Many people go on Harihar fort trek in the monsoon season because of the amazing climate and surrounding natural beauty. Also in the rainy season, the slippery steps may cause an accident at Harihar fort. So avoid going to this trek on a peak monsoon season.
Harihar Fort History
Harihar Fort is built in the Pankaj Panchariya (Yadava dynasty, Deogiri) period. As I earlier said, they built this fort to keep a watch on the Gonda Ghat trade route.
Initially, this fort was under the rule of Nizamshahi, Ahmadnagar sultanate. Then it went under the possession of Shahaji Raje Bhosale Maharaj. He surrendered the Harihar fort to Khan Zamam along with Trymbak and other Pune forts.
Moropant Pingale won this fort and brought in the Maratha Empire. After possessions by the many different local rulers, Captain Briggs captured this fort in 1818 and took it under British Rule.
People say that Captain Briggs wanted to destroy the fort’s entrance. But because of the natural beauty and amazing work of the rock-carved steps, he changed his mind.
What to carry for the Harihar Fort Trek
Carry your water and snack. Even it’s a popular trek there are very fewer chances of getting any shops on the trail. You can get refreshments such as Lemon Water and cucumber. But it depends on the time and the day of your trek. Usually, there is a huge crowd on the weekend.
Please don’t through empty wrappers or plastic bottles on the trail or the fort. Remember, leave only footprints, not the trash.
What to do after the Harihar Fort Trek
Kudos to you! You have finished one of the most difficult treks in Maharashtra. Take a deep breath, mark it down on your trekking bucket list and pay attention because there are many other amazing tourist places in the area.
After finishing your Harihar fort trek you can plan to visit Bhaskargad which is nearby. Don’t forget to give a visit to Dugarwadi Waterfall. You can visit Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple in Trimbakeshwar. Harihar fort is around 14 km away from Trimbakeshwar, Nashik.
Anjaneri fort, Brahmagiri hill and Utwad fort are other popular places you can visit after your Harihar fort trek.
Harihar Fort Images
Banner image by Surjakanta
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