Arthur Seat Chandragad Trek

Day 1 Arthur Seat(4396 feet) Ghumati (3200 feet) 3200 ft) Dhawale Ghat- Dhawale Village (1500 feet) 13-15 miles, 6-8 hours

It’s a strenuous hike today, therefore you must get to the beginning point as soon as you can. From Arthur Seat Point you get stunning views of Raireshwar and Koleshwar Plateau, Mahabaleshwar range and Savitri valley. There is a the horizon of Chandragad which is the destination on the next day. It is also possible to look up at the plateau from which you will find the name ‘BAHIRICHI GHUMATI”, which is the most important point on the Arthurs seat-Chandragad route.Descend down to Dhawalya Ghat starts from the right-hand side of Arthur Seat Point Window.The beginning is slippery climb through the scree There is also one small rock patch near the beginning on the path. It is important to be vigilant as it’s challenging and exposed. It can be slippery after monsoons. It can take between 25 and 30 minutes to navigate the patch and then to descend with five to six experienced hikers.

After you have negotiated the patch, go down the trail that runs along the ridge. The first 20-30 minutes of descent involves walking down a steep slope, after which the trail becomes a easy ridge walking. Continue walking along the ridge while with the valley to your left until end.Around 30 to 40 hours into your hike,, the trail is surrounded by thickets and then by dry grass during summer. After monsoon, the grass becomes lush and green. There is a chance of omitting the trail since there isn’t a trail and you must have a thorough understanding of the trail to discover the path. The route gradually ascending for a couple of minutes, before it descends to the right.

The trail slowly descend through woodlands, with small stones on the trail. Within a couple of minutes, you’ll reach an open area with one small water tank to the left hand side and Bhairichi Ghumati to the right.This is the only place on the way to get potable water, so make sure to fill your water bottles and there is a restaurant available for lunch. It will take about 2 hours to get to Bhairichi Ghumati from Arthur Seat point. Continue to the left from Ghumati to climb down Dhawalya Ghat. The trail will be visible starting from Arthur seat to your left. Make a right turn and you’ll observe the trail slowly descending to the valley. There is a massive mountain range which connects to a the ridge that comes from Chandragad. Continue on, keeping the massive mountain to your left. Continue to traverse the valley for about 30 to 45 minutes until you can see a trail running through the valley.

The trail is now passing through thickets. Continue following the trail until you can see a steep decline into the mountain you have just traversed. Follow the trail that drops down to the valley. The trail through thick woods. The trail is a mix of large boulders and dried streams in between. As you descend, you’ll see the forest get denser and increasingly dense. Continue along the trail for 30 to 45 minutes until you can see the trail pass through small boulders. Continue for another 20-30 minutes later and the trail in a parallel line to a dry stream. There are pockets of the stream that are able to supply potable water that is available from the months of January through February. Continue on your trail, for another to 45 minutes until the trail become more gentle and you’re almost at the foot of Chandragad.

There are also an arrow on the stones to indicate the trail. It can take between 4 and 5 hours to get to this point. Now you can be able to see Chandragad to your left. The trail that leads to Dhawale village continues on the valley and passes through Chandragad. Continue along the mud trail for another 20 to 30 minutes, until you come across an isolated village in some distance. This is Shelarwadi. You’ll notice that the route to Shelarwadi slowly turn to the left while it curves over the mountain. The trail now crossing fields. Follow the trail. The path to Shelarwadi gradually climbs. It is possible to either stay in Shelarwadi in case you want to go for Chandragad the next day , or continue on to Dhawale village, which is a more extensive village. It will take between 20 and 30 minutes to get to Dhawale Village from Shelarwadi.

Day 2 Dhawale Village (1500 feet) (500 ft) Chandragad (3500 feet) 3. Dhawale Village (1500 feet) 7-8 kms, between 3 and 4 hours

It is important to get up at a reasonable hour today since Chandragad is completely barren at the summit. You must reach Shelarwadi via Dhawale village in about 20-30 minutes.

The path to Chandragad is through fields.The trail runs parallel to Dhawale river between 50 and 75 feet above the river bank. There is also terrace farming along the bank of Dhawale river. Follow the mud path that passes through Shelarwadi. The trail pass through thorny shrubs of reddish berries (locally known as “Karvand”). About 15 to 20 minutes into the hike , and you’ll be able to see the trail turning right. The trail slowly ascend through the forest. Chandragad trail is easily found because you will see “Om NamahShivay” boards written in the local language everywhere you go as you climb the fort. Another 15 to 20 minutes and you’ll will come across an open space that is strewn by dried grasses and plants. Now you can observe the barren slope of rock that you have to climb up. You can also observe the “Chandragad Darshan” board written in local dialect. From Shelarwadi it will take between 40 to 50 minutes to arrive at this location.

Continue along the trail that is a climb up the slope. There are some trees scattered across the entire slope of rock. After climbing for about 20-30 minutes on the steep slope, you’ll encounter a few boulders and some shade so that you can relax. The slope is very difficult and tiring, hence it is advised to climb Chandragad early in the morning, before 8:15 AM to avoid direct sunlight. After a short rest, you can continue forward on the slope of scree. About 15 to 20 minutes of hiking and you reach the point from which you can enjoy an the most stunning view of Dhawale river. Just a few minutes into the hike, and you’re confronted by the last rock patch. The rock-patch is vulnerable and you have to be careful when negotiating it.

It will take between 5 and 10-minutes to finish the final stage. It will take about 1.5 hours to get to the top of Shelarwadi. At the top, you will are greeted by a beautiful stone-carved Shivlings of Dhawaleshwar Mahadev and Nandi. From the top, you can enjoy breathtaking perspectives of Dhawale Ghat valley, which you traversed yesterday.You also have a magnificent views from Dhawale town from the summit. It is evident that Chandragad is a tiny fort and features deep valleys along both sides.From the Shivling continue straight on the slope. There are a small stones.

The final climb takes you through the natural steps created by the small stones. The climb leads to the side of the fort, in which you can see fortifications remaining intact. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas from Arthur Seat point, Koleshwar and Raireshwar plateaus to your left, and Mahabaleshwar plateau to your right. It will take between 20 and 30 minutes to walk around this entire fort. You will come across several water tanks within the fort and some have potable water.There is one water tank that is close to the Shiva temple.The path down is more difficult due to the scree, and you must be extra cautious. Continue along the route you used to climb up. It can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours to walk the steps you took back down to Shelarwadi and then another 20 to 30 minutes to get to Dhawale village. It will take between 3 and four hours for the journey, leaving plenty of time. If you’ve got extra time, you can go to The Tanaji Malusaresmarak in Umarth village, which is located 7 to 8 kms away far from Dhawale village. If you have an extra day you could do Mangalgad (Kangori Fort).