“TRIP TO KORIGAD NEAR LONAWALA”

Trip to Korigad Near Lonawala…..

This is one of the forts located in Western Ghat near Lonawala. Short one day trip to Korigad from Pune or Mumbai is always possible. Provided you start early in the Morning. This is basically to avoid the Lonawala city traffic. Once you come to Bhushi dam then the same road from there takes you towards Korigad. The base village of the fort is Peth Shahapur. It’s on the way to Ambey Valley. The clear sign boards of Ambey Valley make sure you are on the right path of Korigad. Fort will not be visible easily from the road so you have to stop at the Peth Shahapur village.

Road to Korigad

Top of Korigad

Brief History –

Not much of the detailed history known about this fort. But this fort was part of Shivaji Maharajas Empire. He took custody of this fort along with Tikona, Lohgad, Visapur forts. This was further taken over by British during 18^th Century. It was not easy for them to capture this fort due to its location and fortification. Finally by damaging major part of fort by Cannon they have captured this fort and were under British East India Company.

Journey to this place –

This is situated very close to Ambey Valley city. Due to this development, road to koraigad is in very good condition. So reaching at this place with your own vehicle is very easy. Journey from Lonawala to this place is (Approx 20 km stretch) is also memorable one. Since you are riding up on the hill and other side of the road is deep valley. You may stop at various places on the way to capture great views in your cameras.

Driving Direction From Lonavala -

How is this place –

Forest Trail to Korigad

Steps to Reach on Fort

Waterfall On the Way

Main Gate of the Fort Korigad Still Intact

Despite of such attacks, the fortification of this fort is still intact. It is said that climate here does not damage the fort structure. It’s not very harsh climate there. It takes roughly 1 hour to reach at the top. Having said that, this does not mean you have to climb straight for an hour. Road passes from the forest. You have to walk straight from forest and little climbing on hill and then nice steps of the fort takes you to the top of the hill. If you are visiting this place during mid of Monsoon season, it will be the treat for your eyes. Because clouds arrives here during Monsoon to meet Western Ghat. I am putting here few snaps of my visit to this fort during monsoon and then you will wonder its actually heaven on the earth.

Laxmi Canon

On the fort you can see temple of Goddess Korai, ruins of some fort, huge cannon name Laxmi, water reservoirs, fortification, huge main door. These all can be seen once you reach at the top of the fort. Reaching to this fort is as exciting as visiting this fort. If you are in the mid of rainy days, water continuously flows over the fort steps and you have to find your way from that flowing water.

At the other side of this fort, Mulshi lake backwater can be seen. One road from there takes you to the Mulshi village.

Shiva Temple

Bike Ride -

Flora

If you are planning for bike ride from Mumbai to Mumbai or From Pune to Pune, one can reach at Lonawala from Khadala Ghat and come to Peth Shahapur from Bhushi dam, reach at Korigad and then proceed straight towards the Mulshi Village. If you are coming from Mumbai, you can take Tamhini ghat road which descend to Konkan and take you to Mumbai Goa highway. If you are coming from Pune, after reaching to Mulshi, you may proceed towards Paud and from Paud you ride straight towards Chandani Chauk. This will be very good exhaustive and enjoyable ride over weekend. Especially during rainy season. You might be wondering why I am stressing so much for Monsoon season; only pictures I posted here will provide all your answers.

Add on –

There are no hotels or restaurants at this place so you have to carry your own food and water as well. Just as an additional note, there is small pump near Ambey Valley city to fill the fuel in your vehicle. So don’t panic in case your vehicle dry out. Since this is bit remote location, please carry all required trekking gears.

According to me this is worth visiting one day picnic spot near Pune. Difficulty level is easy. If you plan to visit the Lonavala, you can extend your trip by 20 km and visit this place as well.

Brief about my Bike ride Trip to Korigad –

I had visited this place with my college mates during rainy days. This time we were 10 guys and 5 bikes. Plan was to get wet fully and visit Korigad. No one had visited this before. After getting wet at Bhushi dam, we started ride towards Ambey Valley and reached to the tiger point. We had some snacks and Wada Pav we again started riding. It was raining so heavily that we were not sure what is on the side of the roads. We were completely in clouds. At one point, everybody’s bike started fluttering. No one was sure why so much of wind started. We were able to see only clouds on the side of the roads. So our bike speed went down to 10 – 20 kmph. Cap of two guys flew away due to such heavy wind. While coming back we realized that it was deep valley immediately on the side of the road.

Haunted Place on the way.. Hahah,,,

Haunted Place in between,,,

In-between we stopped at some place looking to be haunted place in that climate. See my picture posted here. There were few well, ruins of old homes and ruins covered with parasites. It was looking like true haunted place. We stopped there and dared to explore the surrounding area. This place is in dense forest on road side. After spending some time we reached at the Peth Shahapur and parked our vehicles there. Rain was not in mood of slowing down. We stayed near parking for some time and finally decided to start the forest trail to Korigad without waiting for rain to stop. And as I mentioned above we experienced heavenly treatment from nature and explored the Korigad and surrounding area.

I must say, dreamland is in Western ghat and if you want to experience it, visit any place during Monsoon. What do you say after looking at these pictures? If you have your own experience please share. 

Stay tuned….

- महेश  आवटे