Pune Hues: Sinhgad Fort Trek

Sinhgarh, or Sinhgad (Marathi: सिंहगड, The Lion's Fort), is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of the city of Pune, India. It is situated on a hill rising 800 metres above the surrounding countryside. Previously called Kondana (Marathi: कोंढाणा), the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the battle of Sinhagad in 1670. It was also strategically located at the center of a string of other forts such asRajgad, Purandar and Torna.

Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, its height above sea-level is 1350 metres. Given natural protection by its very steep slopes, the walls and bastions were constructed at only key places; it has two gates – the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the Pune Darwaza in the north-east.

The Sinhgad Trek is of medium difficulty but the rewards of the toil is really fulfilling! Its less difficult as compared to Torna Fort Trek .Monsoon season is the best time to go for this as during this time the view is amazing and the hill is laden with wild flowers , and the fatigue will be less too. It can be tiring if you are planning to go in summer.Unlike Torna Fort here you can get drinking water and eatables at the top also but its recommended that you take your own food with you as well as carry some energy drinks with you.

Route :

If you are going for the trek from pune then you can also visit some other places like khadakwasla dam , National Defence Academy campus, Donaje village which lie on the way to fort .You can also go to Kudje village, and Neelkanteshwar, located near Bahuli village just past Kudje which is not on the way but is very near from the fort , and you can plan to go there if the time permits !!

How to get there ??

You can choose any mode of transport to reach to the base , but its highly recommended to go early in the morning otherwise if u start trekking after the 10am it will be difficult to trek because of sun and you will also miss other scenic places nearby the fort . So go early for the Trek around 6.30am

1. From Shaniwar Waada, there are city buses plying to the fort. On Sunday, the frequency is very good. It takes more than one hour and thirty minutes to reach the base.

2. From Swargate, there are buses plying to Kondhanapoor village through Katraj Ghat (pass). As soon as the road climbs the Katraj Ghat, there is a village on the highway called Nasarapoor. Take a right turn from this place. Another 10 kms will take you to Kondhanapoor village. From the village, there is a tarred road which joins the tarred road from Aatkarwaadi. I am not sure if there is any trekking route from Kondhanapoor village.but you can surely go to the fort from there !

3. The other option is to take your own vehicle and proceed on Sinhagad Road. The road winds through Khadakwaaslaa military academy, Khadakwaaslaa dam, Donaje village. Before it reaches the base of the fort, the road starts climbing on the left side. That takes it straight to parking lot above.
Aatkarwaadi is the base village of the fort. We enter the fort from Pune entrance. The other entrance of the fort is Kalyaan entrance.

Khadakwasla Dam is situated 20 km from the City of Pune , so while going to Sinhgad Fort it lies in the mid way , so one can go to scenic places around the dam include Peacock Bay, Kudje village, and Neelkanteshwar, located near Bahuli village just past Kudje.

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