Nimgiri-Hanumantgad Fort is located in the scenic location in Pune district. This fort is at an altitude of 1054 ft ASL and is adjacent to the Hanumantgad Fort Trek. Separated by a small cleft, these two treks offer a breathtaking view of the Balaghat mountain range of the Sahyadris.
One of the highlights of the trek is the cave carved into the hills of Nimgiri, which was dug for surveillance but has now been partially abandoned. The views from this cave are spectacular, especially during the monsoon season. However, don’t get too carried away as the rock-cut steps that take you straight to the gates of the fort are deteriorated at some places, and there are even three missing steps in one place! But don’t worry, this makes the trek all the more exciting, and caution should be taken when climbing via this route.
For those who prefer a less risky approach, there’s a route that bypasses the steps and passes through between the twin peaks of Nimgiri Fort and Hanumantgad Fort. This gives you an opportunity to watch the splendid views on the western side of the fort.
Once inside the fort, you’ll find yourself surrounded by architectural remains that are scattered across the fort. There are three water cisterns on the trail, and a small temple with a domed roof can be seen here. The water cistern in front of this temple is potable after filtration, but the other two tanks are not recommended for drinking. Additionally, there are three graves on the slope and three caves further along the trail. One of these caves is large enough to accommodate a group of 5 to 6 people and houses a water cistern. The second cave has a collapsed roof, while the last one is used by the villagers to keep their cattle.
But the real fun begins when you see other fort treks in the vicinity like Chavand, Jeevdhan Harishchandragad, Hadsar, and Sindola.
To reach the base village for the Nimgiri Fort Trek, you can take a road from Manikdoh dam near Junnar towards Ghatghar village towards Naneghat. If you’re coming from Mumbai, catch any State Transport (ST bus) to Alephata or Junnar via Kalyan-Murbad. And if you’re coming from Pune, reach Junnar and take a road to Khandepadyar via Borwadi-Madh. The base village, Khandepada, or Khandechiwadi, is 7 km from Pargaon, and the village road near the base village is in a bad condition.
Just remember to be extra careful while descending from the steps, especially during the monsoon season, and keep an eye out for those missing steps. Happy trekking!
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