Avchitgad is a fort located in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra.
First things first, let’s talk about how to get there. If you’ve got your own ride, the base villages of Padam-Kharapti, Medha, and Pengalsai are easily accessible by road. But if you’re relying on public transport, don’t worry, you can still get there by taking an state transport bus to Roha and then hopping on a local private transportation to the base villages. Pro-tip: take the ST bus directly from Roha to Medha village for a more direct route.
Avchitgad Fort stands tall at 300m and is surrounded by the lush Sahyadri ranges. As you climb up to the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of neighboring forts like Talagad, Taila-Baila, Sarasgad, Sudhgad, Raigad, Savashnagad, and Ghangad. Plus, there’s a temple of the Pingalsai goddess at the top, and a large 16-sided lake and six small cisterns for all your water needs.
The trek can be reached by three routes, all of them fairly easy and suitable for beginners. The trail leading up to the fort is covered in dense green forest, making for a scenic and refreshing hike. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the local fauna, including foxes, monkeys, and even leopards!
Once you reach the fort, take your time exploring the four entrances, two main ramparts, and Shiva temple. You’ll also find a rock-cut carving of a horse at the entrance and three cannons on the top. It takes approximately 2 hours to fully explore the fort, but it’s worth it for the views alone.
