(2024) Top 14 Toughest and Most Difficult treks in Maharashtra (4th One is Massive)

There are more than 400 small to massive forts in Maharashtra. These forts are one of the best places for trekking. In the Sahyadri range, you have many options for trekking such as Sinhagad, Torna fort, Raigad, Rajmachi, Harishchandragad etc. Monsoon season is the best time to go for the treks in Maharashtra. Although there are many options for trekking, some treks are really difficult and challenging. If you want to explore these Most Difficult Treks in Maharashtra then following is the list of top 14 most difficult and toughest treks in Maharashtra.

Lingana Fort trek- Raigad district

Lingana is a huge pinnacle 30 km away from Mahad, Raigad. You need to do technical climbing, rappelling and walking through dense forest. That makes Lingana fort trek one of the most difficult treks in Maharashtra. To start the Lingana trek, you need to descend for almost 2-3 hours to reach the base point. Then you can start the actual climb.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had built the Lingana fort. There were steps cut in the rocks to go to the fort. But it’s destroyed now. That’s why Lingana fort is almost inaccessible. Only experienced trekkers pick Lingana fort trek and I will also suggest you, consider all these points before going on a trek to Lingana Fort.

Currently there are many options available to do Lingana Fort Trek. Many small and medium trekking facility providers arrange valley crossing and rappelling events at a minimal cost. Let us know your thrilling rappelling experience of Lingana Fort trek.

Alang, Madan, Kulang Forts (AMK Trek) – Nashik 1372m (Alang)

Alang, Madan, Kulang are the three consecutive forts in Nashik District and they are 22 km away from Igatpuri, Maharashtra. The trek to these forts is popularly known as AMK trek. There are 2 different routes available to go to Alang fort. It will take 8-9 hours to climb the Alang fort.

There is potable water available on the fort throughout the year. Also, there are two caves on the forts which can accommodate almost 50 people. You need to bring your own food. I will recommend you to visit Alang fort only with experienced trekkers or with expert trek organizers.

AMK trek involves rock climbing and rappelling. Also, the dense forest around it makes AMK trek one of the hardest treks in Maharashtra.

Salher Fort Trek- Nashik 1567m

Salher fort is among the tallest forts in Maharashtra and the second highest peak after the Kalsubai peak. I will definitely recommend you to spend a night on a Salher fort. It will make you realize the energy and the force of a massive Sahyadri range. There are rock-cut steps and pathways to reach to the top of the fort.

Harishchandragad Trek via Nalichi Vaat- Ahmednagar 1422m

Harishchandragad trek is quite popular among the trekkers. There are many worth seeing places on the fort. You may have heard about the Kokankada. It’s a cliff facing towards the west side i.e. Kokan. That’s why the name. You will get a beautiful view of the surrounding from here.

There are 2-3 ways to reach this fort. Harishchandragad trek via Nalichi vaat is considered as the most difficult path. There are many Caves on Harishchandragad where you can spend a night. Many of the caves are still undiscovered, so all the best for your adventures expedition. I will recommend you to spend a night on the fort to enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise. Harishchandrgad is well connected with the major cities. Don’t forget to take your camera along with you because the pictures are gonna be awesome.

Dhak Bahiri Caves Trek- Pune

Dhak bahiri caves trek is one of the difficult treks near Pune. It is around 68km from Pune city. The name Dhak Bahiri is inspired by the God Bahiri. This is a challenging trek as you need to climb using the rope on a vertical rock. There is accommodation available in the caves for 15-20 people for the overnight camp.

Kalsubai Peak Trek- Ahmednagar/Nashik 1646m

Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra with the elevation of 1646m. There are two different routes to go on this trek. The peak is around 880 m high from the base. You can choose the popular route that starts from the base village of Bari. This route is well maintained and there are metal ladders at the cliffs and vertical slopes.

Kalsubai peak trek is one of the toughest treks in Maharashtra. It’s a one day trek and you will get amazing views of luscious green grass and multiple waterfalls.

Tailbaila Trek- Pune

Tail and Bail are the names of two wall-like structures at TailBaila. You can realize the difficulty of TailBaila trek by merely looking at it. Normal trekkers can go easily upto the halfway. They can rest there for a while. For the further trek, you need to climb the vertical rock. Only expert rock climbers can do this climb. TailBaila trek is almost 90 degree vertical climb which makes it one of the toughest treks in Maharashtra.

TailBaila is around 100 km away from Pune. It is one of the most challenging treks in Maharashtra so there is gonna be less crowd on TailBaila trek. You can ask local villagers for the food or bring your own. There are other worth-seeing places nearby such as Sudhagad, Ghangad and Thanale Buddhist Caves.

Kalavantin Durg Trek- Raigad district

Kalavantin Durg is built along with nearby fort Prabalgad for the Queen named Kalavantin. Although there is no fort on the Kalavantin Durg. It is used to keep an eye on the surrounding area. It’s a massive pinnacle and the rock-cut steps will take you all the way up to the summit. The view from Kalavantin Durg is amazing. Although it is one of the most difficult treks, it’s a popular trekking place in Maharashtra.

I will recommend you to go on weekdays to this trek. There is no more space on the summit so it’s always better to avoid the crowd. You can’t carry plastic bags or bottles on the trek. Local authorities have strict rules for the Kalavantin Durg trek. For the safety of the trekkers and to avoid accidents, they close Kalavantin Durg climb after 5 pm till 6 am.

Harihar Fort Trek- Nashik 1120m

Harihar Fort, also known as Harshagad is at the elevation of 1120 m. You need to use rock-cut steps for this trek. These steps are so narrow at some places that only one person can climb at a time. There are two different routes to go to the Harihar fort. The route starting from Harshewadi is easier than the Nirgudpada route. The path to the Harihar fort is as beautiful as the views from the top.

Harihar fort is around 40 km away from Nashik. You can complete this trek within a day. You will get amazing views of the Sahyadri mountain range from the top. Even if it’s one of the difficult treks, Harihar fort trek should be on your trekking list.

Dhodap Fort Trek- Nashik 1472m

Dhodap fort is the second tallest fort in Maharashtra after Salher fort. It is the third highest peak in Maharashtra after Kalsubai peak and Salher. Dhodap fort is around 75 km from Nashik. This fort is easily recognizable because of its unique structures.

You can start the trek from the base village Dhodambe. There are many caves on the fort. Carry an ample amount of water with you before the trek. You can accommodate yourself at the base village. Arrangement of food can be done by the locals.

Jivdhan Fort Trek– Pune 1145m

Jivdhan fort/ Jeevdhan fort is in Junnar Taluka in Pune district. This fort also has rock-cut steps. There are many confusing jungle paths to reach to this fort. You need climbing gears and proper knowledge for the Jivdhan fort trek. That is why Jivdhan Fort trek is one of the most difficult treks in Maharashtra.

There are many unexplored storage places on the forts. You will also find cisterns and water tanks on the fort. There is a massive pinnacle beside the Jivdhan fort. You can see many forts such as Harishchandragad, Chavaand, Ratangad, Naneghat and Hadsar fort from top of the Jivdhan fort.

Bhairavgad Trek- Ahmednagar 1523 m

There are many forts in Maharashtra which have name Bhairavgad. Out of which Bhairavgad in Ahmednagar district is most challenging fort. Bhairavgad is surrounded by dense forest area and it is a part of Kalsubai-Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary.

The route of Bhairavgad is one of the toughest which will examine your patience level and guts. There is a well-established climbing route available now. You must do this trek under the guidance of the experts. There are many water tanks and two caves present on the top of the fort. Carry ample amount of food and water with you for this trek.

Rajgad Trek- Pune 1400 m

Rajgad Fort is around 59 km away from Pune. It was the former capital of the Maratha Empire later it transferred to the Raigad. Rajgad is a huge fort and can not be explored in a day. You need to start the trek early at the morning. There are 3-4 routes available for the Rajgad trek.

Best time to visit the Rajgad is in monsoon season. You can stay overnight on the fort in Padmavati temple. There is enough space for a maximum of 50 people. Sinhagad and Torna fort are visible from the Rajgad fort.

Vasota Jungle Trek- Satara

Vasota fort is near Bamnoli village around 70 km from Satara. It is surrounded by the Shivsagar lake, which makes it one of the toughest treks in Maharashtra. You need to reach the starting point of the trek by boat. Then there is walking through the dense forest. Due to its natural defence system, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj renamed the fort as Vyaghragad (Tiger’s fort).

Vasota Jungle trek is one of it’s kind experience and you must visit this trek for the amazing trekking memories.

Banner image (Harihar Fort) by Nayan Gavli

Let’s summarize the toughest and most difficult treks in Maharashtra.