“Katraj to Raigad Fort: The Super Range Trek” would be enabling you to experience adventure on a different level. This super range trek is a very challenging range trek for experienced trekkers to test physical fitness, stamina, and will-power. You need to be physically fit if you want to do this trek; and beyond that, you have to be mentally fit. This trek can be completed with great desire.
This is a journey that connects the four main forts of the Sahyadri range; Sinhgad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Torna Fort & Raigad Fort, etc. The trek starts from the Old Katraj tunnel in Pune district and ends at Raigad fort, Raigad district. The Singapore Naal helps you to land in the Konkan.
Throughout this adventure journey, while passing through the mountains of Sahyadri, you will experience the high mountains, deep valleys, rivers and small villages etc. This exciting range trek, to these four historical forts, will let you revel in the enigmatic sights around and this is the time to make yourself challenged by testing your endurance level by trekking 103 km in 4 Days.
This reward doesn’t come easy, as this trek is a difficult one, not suitable for beginners.
One of the most popular treks of the Sahyadri range, Katraj to Sinhgad Fort or K2S trek promises you a memorable experience. It starts from Katraj ghat in the south of Pune and ends at Sinhgad Fort which lies in the south-west direction of Pune. Doing the trek through a series of 13+ mountains for a distance of approx. 14 km.; it challenges your mental and physical capabilities and at the same time amply rewards you with unforgettable sceneries of nature.
Witness a city light of Pune city and surroundings, valleys with different shades of nature while feeling a fresh breeze brushing through your face as you conquer a mountain in front of you as well as a mountain within you.
Sinhgad is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of Pune, India. Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleshwar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, it is situated on a hill rising 1312 meters above sea level.
Sinhgad Fort previously called “Kondhana”, the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the battle of Sinhgad Fort in 1670. It was also strategically located at the centre of a string of other forts such as Rajgad Fort, Purandar Fort and the highest mountain of Pune district i.e. Torna Fort.
The first capital of Shivaji Maharaj for 25 years, it has a long association with the Maratha history. It lies about 40 km south-west of Pune. Rajgad is famous for its structure. Rajgad has 8km surrounding curtain walls with three wings inside. To the north is Padmavati Machi, to the east is Suvela Machi, & to the south-west is Sanjivanee Machi. It has a central top known as “Balekilla”
Standing 6km west of Rajgad Fort, this high fort another citadel of history. It commands excellent views and is easy to climb. It’s two wings are called Zunjar Machi to the east and Budhla Machi to the south.
Torna is an ancient fort and many caves are located in the nearby hills. In 1646, Shivaji Maharaj won this fort from its Bijapuri general. He repaired it and named it Prachandgad. There are temples of goddess Menghai and Toranjai on the main fort.
Singapur-Mohari village in Velhe Taluka of Pune district and Dapoli village in Raigad district of Konkan are connected by Singapur Naal.
In the past, this route was used for transportation, some of the surrounding villagers still use this route.
A very different form of Sahyadri can be seen from this Naal. After reaching Halfway, the Southern edge of Lingana fort attracts our attention. We can also see the col between Lingana fort and Railing plateau.
“Fort Raigad is much more than a mere tourist spot. It is the sacred place of pilgrimage, which has left an impression of the grand vision of Hindavi Swarajya as cherished by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj”.
British has also defined the fort Raigad as “The Gibraltar of East”!
Raigad is one of the most important forts in the history of Marathas, being the first capital of the independent Marathi kingdom or “Hindavi Swarajya”. Graded as the most secure and most appropriate location by the King himself, the fort stands proudly showing the strength of the Maratha Empire.
