Prabalgad is one of the sister forts to Kalavantin Durg which is loacted at "Thaurwadi village" in Panvel which is around 50 km from Mumbai. I have already written a blog on the "Kalavantin Fort Camping" which you can read from the link mentioned https://trekkinmemories.wixsite.com/website/post/kalavantin-durg-camping, you can find the route and how to reach answers from this blog. Still just in short, we were 2 persons on this trek and reached the base by 8:30 AM by bike and begun this trek at 8:45 AM, there is enough parking on the base of this trek, they will charge you 30 Rs. for a two wheeler and 50 Rs. for a four wheeler.
Also you can find some good photos and videos from my previous blog. We planned this trek in the mid of the summer season so we needed to plan it very carefully. Normally one can do both the forts i.e. "Kalavantin and Parabalgad" in a single day but due to the summer weather conditions its is preferable to do any one of them. Carry enough water if you are doing this trek on non weekends as not much people visit it during this time and also the shops along the way up are closed. The route details too can be found in the previous blog also I will still attach a gpx file for your refrence.
The route mainly changes from this point on.
This trek is moderate in level because there are no proper stairs to reach the top, one needs to climp the rocky patches continously for more than 2 hours to reach the top. My advice would be to take proper rest in between these patches and that too in shade if possible. I am attaching some vidoes and photos that will give you a proper idea of how the patch is.
While making our way up we met with our new guide too XD....
Once you reach the pinnacle try to cover as much of the fort as possible since its a huge fort and there a lot of places to visit up there. Like - Ganesh Mandir, Kalaburuj, Talav and also a point from where you can see the Kalavantin fort. If you go to the right then after 2 kms you will reach the Kala Buruj which is one of the best places up on the fort. From this point you can actually view Irshalgad, Matheran and a beautiful stream flowing on the other side. There are many small fortified structures too on the way to Kala Buruj.
This is the view you get on reaching Kala Buruj....
Once you complete the Kala Buruj trail then you can visit the point from where you can see the Kalavantin Durg. It will test your stamina because by the time you have completed the Kala Buruj the sun will be directly above your head and the temperature too will peak. But the view would be pleasing to your eyes.
While decending it took us around two and half hours, because the time was 2:20 PM and it was too hot to continously come down. We took enough rest in between the patches or wherever we got a little shade from the trees in order to save ourselves from the continous heat of sun.
The trek was amazing and here's a short clip of the entire trek.....
Also attaching the GPX file for the trek, you can open it from the OSMAND app and use it offline.
Link for the app - https://f-droid.org/de/packages/net.osmand.plus/
GPX file -
Have Fun and Safe Travel Guys !!
Comments