Monsoon and Winter season bring the trekking season in Maharashtra. Kohoj Fort Trek is one of the least famous monsoon trek or winter trek in Sahyadris. The trek is admired for its heart-shaped lake named Pazhar and the verdant vistas of the surrounding valley.
- Height of Kohoj Fort: 3200 ft (980 m)
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Duration: 1 Day
- Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
- Base Village: Vaghote (Palghar Region)
- Best season to trek: Monsoon/ Winter
- Estimated Cost: 400 – 500 INR (including Public Transport)
- Kohoj Fort Contact: For Group Trekking Arrangements Contact Gautam Vaishnav +91 97621 24690 (Organiser of Budget Trekking – by Trekraw)
Kohoj Fort is not much frequented by the trekkers and hence any hotel or commercial guides are not available. However, lunch might be available on prior request. It is advisable to take any of the villagers who is aware of the route, as a guide. Hrithik Mathe is one of them, who would be available on weekends. (Charge: 500 INR per a group)
Update: The children at the base village are available on weekends and approach a group to work as a guide.
The villagers move up daily with their cattle. You can even follow one of them. Moreover, the trekking trail is no more so less frequented.
How to Reach Kohoj Fort (The base Village Vaghote) from Mumbai
By Rail: (from Mumbai)
- Take Gujarat Express (6 am from Mumbai Central) and get down at Palghar
- Take either a bus/ private taxi from Palghar Station till Vaghote on Manor-Wada Road
By Road: (From Mumbai)
- Drive towards Ghodbandar Road via Western Express Highway and take a turn towards the Mumbai – Ahmedabad Highway (NH8) and drive straight till Manor and then take a right turn from underneath the flyover and take up Manor-Wada Road
- If you are driving from Thane then keep driving straight on Ghodbandar Road and go straight to Mumbai – Ahmedabad Highway (NH8) and then take a right turn from underneath the flyover at Manor and take up Manor-Wada Road
Just after a few minutes of a drive on Manor-Wada Road, you will see the majestic fort guarding over the fields on your right and the Vaghote Village on your left.
The Trek Route to Kohoj Fort
The initial trail passes through the swaying paddy fields of the villagers which then turn towards the ‘Pazhar Lake’ which is at the peak of its beauty during monsoons with the backdrop of Kohoj Fort. The lake looks like a heart-shaped water body when viewed from the top of the fort. During monsoons, the trekking trail is completely covered with grass and plants and thus the route is hardly visible. You will have to do the ‘pradakshina’ (a circle) of the whole hill to reach the fort. There is no way to reach the fort directly.
The initial gradient is moderate and isn’t much tiring. A little tough climbing starts after an hour and a half of trekking. The further route passes through a deep forest-like area with huge trees that end on a shepherd’s hill beautified with a few huts, tanks, a pond and a temple of Kohoj Devi. This isn’t the end of the climb. The fort is located at a few meters of more climb that is the topmost peak of the hill.
The Kohoj Fort
The fort is around 800 years old and is one of the forts surrendered to Mughals in Purandar Treaty. Though it is in a dilapidated state and hardly any proper architecture can be seen, it becomes a beautiful dance-field of grass during and post-monsoon. A steep stairway takes you to a viewpoint that can be enjoyed with a rush of cool wind during winters and monsoons. On the way up there is an idol of Lord Hanuman, guarding the periphery of the fort.
The water tanks on the fort have drinkable waters, but during monsoons, the tank becomes quite dirty and thus one has to be careful. Carry enough drinking water in order to avoid water shortage while trekking. The topmost peak of the fort is marked with a few dilapidated remains of the fort walls. The shape of the wall resembling a standing human pillar is the only point of attraction at the fort.
From the top one can also see the lake located a meters away from the Kohoj Devi Temple. The top view is really stunning with a river flowing on one side and acres of paddy fields on the other side.
Enjoy the trek to the fort and try behaving like an educated person. 😉 Do not throw your stinking waste in the fort premise or on the way. And don’t forget to share your experience with us.
Some Other Monsoon Treks in Sahyadris That You Might Like
Monsoon Trek to Rajmachi in Sahyadris
Monsoon Trek to Harishchandragadh in Sahyadris
Kalsubai Trek -The highest peak of Maharashtra State
Kothligadh Monsoon Trek Near Mumbai – The Arsenal of Shivaji
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Any contact details of a person from base village?
Hello Vaibhav, you can just reach the base village in the morning and you will find many locals who would guide you. The locals aren’t that tech savvy, only a few people have mobile phones.
Any contacts for food arrangements at base of kohoj fort???
Do there are any hotels or local people providing food??
Hello Saurabh, yes, there is a local home of Ramesh Patil on the highway of the base village where the public transport drops you. You can carry your lunch from there. He provides food for 150 INR unlimited plate.
If you are a budget trekker, I would advise you to carry your own packed lunch in a box.
Do you have contact number for local food arrangements?