Adventures in India

A classic hiking destination in the Malshej ghat region. Easy hike and pleasant stay. Open for all age groups, but please be prepared to walk, and carry your own load, plus a share from the common rations o­n the way (will not be anything very heavy)
Gorakhgad is a small hill jutted out of the main range. A non-taxing and visually rewarding walk, spacious cave at the base of the pinnacle and good drinking water makes it an ideal destination for the weekend adventurer. A local o­nce told us that Gorakhnath meditated here for many years giving the fort its name, but we have not yet found any authoritative mention of that. There is an ancient meditation chamber here, which is something not usually found o­n mountain forts. Macchindra is a challenging pinnale, which we will not be climbing in the monsoons, but is a delight to watch and plan for in any case.We travel by Sumo until Dehri and from there, it is an enjoyable hour and a half’s walk to the cave at the base of the hill. From here, we can head o­n to the top of the hill to the ancient temple. The walk is tricky, and some careful attention is called for to avoid embarrassment from slipping, but the goal is well worth the effort. We stay overnight in the cave.The view from the top includes Siddhagad in the south-west, and Naneghat, Jivdhan and Dhakoba in the east. In the monsoon, we see clouds clinging to these mountains in good visibility, and the whole region can be covered in mist that clears occasionally to reveal dramatic sightings of these scenic forts.Fees for this trek are Rs. 1000/- per head inclusive of travel, food, a guide and a nature expert.