Yeoor Hills, Rajmachi, Lohagad: Explore unique trekking spots in Maharashtra with Mumbai experts

Only last weekend, Pankaj Sabnani celebrated his birthday by trekking to Aadrai off Khireshwar village, as it encouragingly came on Sunday, his day off from work. The last time, he had this privilege was in 2015, so it was fascinating for the Mumbaikar, who has been trekking for over 16 years. "It felt amazing and extra special because it was my birthday. I went on a trek because I always try to do something good on my birthday." Every year, Sabnani explores trekking spots around Mumbai. It is something that he has been doing since 2009, when he first started trekking and hasn't stopped since then.

The monsoon season is here and with it comes the need for trekking enthusiasts to trek and explore the neighbouring trails and even set up camp. Even as India boasts of many trails, every season Mumbaikars set out to explore the different peaks in Mumbai and Maharashtra. With that being said, Sabhnani isn't the only Mumbaikar out and about this season as many others make their way either through professional trekking groups or by themselves while braving the rainy season to explore nature's abundance not only with its greenery but also its waterfalls.

Being a frequent trekker in Maharashtra, Sabnani usually sets out during the monsoon with his friends. However, outside of the state, he has trekked not only in May but also in December. He shares, "Trekking gives me a lot of happiness, peace, clarity of thought, keeps fit and happy. I correlate trekking to life - like in trekking things sometimes don't go according to plan, just like in life. I believe it is very philosophical.

Trekking beyond Mumbai
While the 38-year-old Mumbai-based strategist believes Mumbai lacks enough trekking routes, Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one he identifies that people can embark on and explore nature by walking from the main gate to Kanheri caves.

On the other hand, Sabnani believes there are a lot more places to trek outside starting with Matheran, which he says has four to five different routes that people can explore. "One place I frequently go to in Matheran is Garbett Plateau, which is scenic and beautiful during the monsoon. In Palghar, there is Kaldurg, which is very easy for beginners. It is a one-hour trek up to the fort, and one hour back to the base. Then there are other trekking spots like Alang Malang Kulang in Nashik, popularly called AMK, it takes a out two nights and three days for you to trek. You have to halt in villages or set up camp there." The other one that Sabnani does during the winter season is the Rajgad Fort to Torna Fort in Pune, which the Andheri-based trekking enthusiast recommends is worth every while, and is a trek which people undertake throughout the night.

Even Thane-based Karen Fernandes, another frequent trekker like Sabnani, has found some gems ever since she started trekking more than 16 years ago. She shares the feeling, "I like trekking because it lets me escape the buzzing city, and I am surrounded by greenery, so it helps me feel one with nature. Not to forget, the view at the end of the trek is always worth it." While Fernandes believes there aren't too many trekking routes in Mumbai, she is a huge fan of routes in the Raigad district and even Karjat closer to Mumbai. "The closest to me is the Yeoor Hills but apart from that I have gone and like going to Mahuli, Lohagad, which also has the Visapur Fort, and Karnala too," the 32-year-old adds. Interestingly, she has noticed more people go on treks within Maharashtra now than ever before in the last few years, apart from those elsewhere in the country.

As many people have pointed out in the past, Fernandes also echoes the sentiment of how much has changed on these trekking routes in all these years. The Mumbaikar, who plans to go for a trek this weekend, explains, "The crowds are increasing but there is no awareness around how to take care of one's surroundings. There is also no respect for nature. The authorities need to do a better job of maintaining these places."

It is this very same reason that makes Ulhas D'silva, a Vasaikar, hesitate to reveal some of his favourite spots, which are in Vasai, apart from other places. The 31-year-old even has a plan. He shares, "We go trekking in Maharashtra on weekends during the monsoon for about five times a year. Besides that, we plan for one Himalayan trek every year."

Being closest to nature when he is on a trek, D'silva says there are many spots in Vasai, which he jokes can be considered a part of Mumbai, that are wonderful but wants to keep them hidden. He expresses, "Let's keep the lesser-known treks the same way because I have seen mountains overpopulate in a blink of an eye over the years. Sadly, the majority of our crowd throws waste, goes to drink, and plays loud music."

However, upon a little prodding, he reveals, "Vasai has only one hill the Hira Dongri, which is in Giriz, and is a short 15-minute trek. Beyond that, Palghar boasts of a lot of good treks like Tak Mak, Kohoj, Asherigad, Tandulwadi and many small lesser-known gems." These are apart from Kaldurg, which Sabnani also highlights. "Most of these were used by the then ruling entities like the Portuguese and Marathas as watch towers to warn against sea invasions," he adds.

The Mumbaikar also goes on with others that are accessible from Mumbai like Irshalgad, Kalsubai, Kalavantindurg and Rajmachi, which are a few of his favourites apart from Lohagad. "The best part about trekking that I love is being a part of nature in the most genuine form," he concludes.