Height :  4127

Type: Hill Fort

Range: Mahabaleshwar

District: Raigad

Grade: Hard

The mountain ranges of Sahyadris has divided Maharashtrainto four parts viz ;Konkan Belt, Sahyadri Mountains, Ghats and Plateaus.

The Ghats served as trade routes in ancient times. Goodsreceived on the Konkan Ports were transported to the market places on theplateaus via these ghats. As a result, the nearby areas bloomed for trade, citydwelling, market places. The connectivity of the Sail ships resulted inemergence of cities like Kalyan, Mahad and Rajapur.

In those days, some of the major trade routes were VarandhaGhat, Aambenali Ghat, Paar Ghat, Madhya Ghat, and Dhawale Ghat etc. These ghatsserved as the link to transport goods from the coastal ports to the market places/villageson the plateau region.

Varandha Ghat (Mahad to Bhor) and Aambenali Ghat (Poladpurto Mahabaleshwar) are still in use as they have paved roads.

To protect all these vital trade arteries forts like Bankot(on the mouth of Savitri river for coastal security), Kavla, Chandragad,Mangalgad, Pratapgad (to protect the trade routes), Kamalgad, Kenjalgad (toprotect the plateaus) were built extensively.

Chandragad to Arthurseat Point (Madhi Mahal) was also one ofthe old trade routes on the Dhawale Ghat. Chandragad to Arthurseat Point (MadhiMahal) is one of the hardest treks in the Sahyadris. This trek demandsascending upto 4729 feet above sea level upto Aurthur Seat. It is a litmus testof stamina and patience.

TREK MILESTONES:

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Chandragad to Arthurseat Point (Mahabaleshwar) range can bedivided into below divisions (milestones):-

1. Dhawale Village to Chandragad

2. Chandragad to Bahirichi Ghumti 

3. Bahirichi Ghumti to Gadhavacha Maal

4. Gadhavacha Maal to Arthurseat Point (Madhi Mahal)

1. Dhawale Village to Chandragad (Estimated time: 2 - 2.30hrs Approx)

Chandragad fort is located on the eastern side of Dhawalevillage and is not easily visible from the village. There is a temple in thevillage. Keeping the temple to the left, the route to the fort takes us throughfarm fields before entering the jungle area. Further, one has to circumvent thehill in front of the fort which is a 20 mins walk approximately Initiallykeeping the valley to the left and then to the right, this route takes us tothe base of Chandragad Fort.

The ascend to the fort is of a medium steepness. The soil isloose and one has to ensure proper grip and balance while climbing. (There is asign board at the start of ascend marking the route put up by villagers). Within15-20 minutes of walk there is an open patch. This patch further leads to arock patch. This rock patch has to be climbed to enter the fort. Further,10/15minutes of walk leads to the plateau of the fort. The East  is on the right. Here one can see a Shivlingand a Nandi sculpture. After crossing one more rock patch we reach at the topof the fort. On the route heading towards north one can find a batan andgrinding stone on the right. Further, on the same route there is a WaterCistern. This water is not potable.  Ahead,down below, there are 2 more water cisterns which are dried and inaccessible.This route further leads us to a bastion. On the right there are 2 watercisterns and 3 on the left. The one on the right has potable water whereas the remainingcisterns are dry. Pratapgad and Mangalgad can be viewed from the fort top.

2.Chandragad to Bahirichi Ghumti (Estimated time: 5 hrs Approx.)

Thistrail of the trek is the most tiring and test of one's patience and stamina tothe peak. One has to descend Chandragad through the same route and pass thelast rock patch. After descending the rock patch we come across a diversion.The path on the right takes us to Dhawale village while the left  takes us to a valley. To reach here from thefort top it takes approx 15 minutes. The left path to be taken is very slipperyand covered with grass. There is steep valley on the right hand side and fortwall on the left. One has to exercise extreme caution while moving on thispath. After crossing this patch, we come to a marginal steep descend coveredwith trees. The soil over here is very loose due to which one has to take the supportof trees to descend carefully. The chances of getting slipped and injured arehigh. The first 20 minutes trail is in the trees and the next 30 minutes inrocks after which we come across the course of a dry stream. From here, we haveto take path towards right (South direction) which is the ascend for BahirichiGhumti. This route goes through a dense forest so trekkers have a relief fromthe scorching sun. The ascend has  minimalsteepness and one has to proceed keeping the valley to the left.

Sincethere is a continuous ascending till Bahirichi Ghumti one has to manage energylevels and stamina. Chandragad is left behind on the North and the fort seemslike a dwarf compared to height we climb. From here the path takes 'C' shape onan open ground. At the end of this path there is a small rock patch and aftercrossing this we can spot Bahirichi Ghumti.There are some stone carved idolshere. Just before Ghumti there is a path on the right which takes us to an oldwater cistern called 'Jorache Paani'. From here the path on the East takes usto Joar village. This reservoir has the same name that of the village. Thewater in this cistern is fit for drinking. (Jorache Paani is the only placeafter leaving Chandragad where we get drinking water. So make sure you carryenough stock)

3. Bahirichi Ghumti to Gadhavacha Maal (Arthurseat's firstsight) - (Estimated time 20 mins approx.)

The path from the right of Jorache Paani takes us toGadhavache Maal which is to the South. This route is through a thick vegetationand with a nominal ascend. This path with many twists and turns takes us on aplateau in 15-20 minutes. From here we can see the mighty MahabaleshwarPlateaus on the South and Arthurseat Point (Madhi Mahal).

4. Gadhavacha Maal (First sight of Arthurseat) to ArthurseatPoint - (Estimated time 1.30 hrs approx)

This is the last stage of the range trek. This path is ofmixed vegetation which has thick cover of trees as well as open ground withtall shrubs and grass. Nearing the end of the path, there is a rock patch of about15/20 ft. The rock patch is easy to climb as there proper holds to it. Thisrock patch is the final step to reach Aurthur Seat.

In this way it takes around 10/11 hours to trek from DhwalaeVillage to Chandragad and then to Arthurseat Point. (There may be a differenceof 1 to 2 hours depending on the experience, stamina and the number oftrekkers)

IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR CHANDRAGAD TO ARTHURSEATTREK:

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1. It is highly recommended to take a guide from Dhawalevillage as the route is sparsely used and there are high chances of losingone’s way. Also it is advised to negotiate properly with the guide as at times theguide from Dhawale village may accompany us only till Jorache Paani. This is sobecause from Jorachi Panni the guide can return back to Dhawale village beforegetting dark. They may charge more money to accompany till Mahabaleshwar asthey have to board a bus to get them back to Dhawale village.

2. The scorching Sun may take a toll in the open areas uptoGhumti. Hence, it is recommended to carry Glucose, Hydration packs/liquids,Fruits, Light eatables/refreshments etc to reduce the impact of the sun. 

3. Since, we pass through a thick cover of vegetation fullsleeve trousers and shirts are highly recommended.

4. The next source of drinking water from Dhawale village isChandragad followed by Jorache Paani near Ghumti which is almost 7 hours walk. Hence,ensure to carry enough drinking water during the trek.

5. There are high chances of developing cramps in legs ormuscle pain due to dehydration or continuous walking. Ensure to have propermedications along with a medical kit. 

6. In this entire range trek there is one small and onelarge rock patch. Even though they are easy to access it is suggested to carrya 50/100 ft rope for additional safety reasons.

7. Its highly recommended to avoid Chandragad to ArthurseatTrek during the monsoons. Only Dhawale village to Chandragad trek is possible duringthe monsoons.

WAYS TO REACH:

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Poladpuris 183 kms from Mumbai on Mumbai - Goa Highway. From Poladpur take a roadtowards Mahableshwar. On the same road, 8 kms from Poldapur there is a KapadeJunction. From the junction, Dhawale Village (base village of Chandragad) isaround 18 kms.

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Rohan Deshpande

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