ABOUT
Harihar Fort, also known as Harish Fort, is located in the Trimbakeshwar Ranges at an altitude of 3676 feet above sea level. The fortress appears rectangular from the village at its base and is situated on a triangular massif with all three sides vertical.
Access to the fort is via a 200-foot high 80-degree angled stairway carved into the rock.
How to get there
Signed up with Trek Mates India along with 7 other buddies from Gujarat for this one day trek. All the trekkers (33 of us) arrived at the meeting point in Dadar, Mumbai, from where we boarded a night bus around 12:00 PM and reached the base village at 6:00 AM. Via
Kasara or Nasik:
You can reach Igatpuri via Kasara or Nasik. Take a bus from Igatpuri to Trimbakeshwar and get off at Nirgudpada, the stronghold village of Harihar.
Via Igatpuri –> Trimbakeshwar –> Khodala :
In front of Nirgpada is the village of Kasuruli. You can get here by taking a bus from Igatpuri -> Trimbakeshwar -> Khodala.
Best time to visit
Monsoon season is the best because the scenery is spectacular, but you need to be very careful when climbing the ladder. Time and Scale:
Within one day the hike can be completed. Travel time is up to 3 hours each way to reach the hill and return to the village.
A seemingly challenging hill that can be classified as a moderate hike.
Trek
The trek to the hills below is simple and easy, but the ascent and descent can be tricky. The reverse descent is recommended here as the stairs are very steep. The ladder has grooves for gripping, making it very convenient both ways. We had breakfast at Base Village around 7-7:30 am. After the introduction, we set off from the village and soon arrived at a place with a small kund and a good resting place, the Shiva temple. The hill point is the thrill of hiking. There are over 100 ladders here, and only one person can go on them at a time, leaving space for those coming down.
Climb the ladder to reach a rocky outcrop with great mountain views. We reached the top and got a complimentary fish pedicure. We searched for shade under the trees for our lunch spot. Gujugang had great food and chutneys to make even more memories. After lunch we explored the summit, traversing a small valley of flowers to reach a small rocky summit.
WARNING
This hike is not recommended for first-time trekkers, especially those with fear of heights.
Passing villages during the trek, there are no water or food supplies except when you start climbing the hill where villagers sell biscuits. After that, if water is scarce, it must be obtained from a flowing stream.
The top is very small. Only a few people can stand there. Immerse yourself in his 360 degree views of the Trimbakeshwar area of Sahyadri. Enjoy mesmerising views of all the famous mountains and forts completely immersed in lush greenery. Bhaskargad or Basgad, Anjaneri Fort, Brahmagiri, Utwad Fort, Phani Dongar Hill are needle-like structures and many other forts are around you. It was fun identifying all the forts and peaks with the group. After spending an hour at the top he can start the descent. It’s the same route that I climbed. Be careful when going down the famous stairs. Three point contact is a safe technique that uses both hands and one leg. This is an explanation video of three-point contact security.
Best season for the Halihal Fort Trek
The best season for the Halihal Fort Trek is from June to February. During this time, you can enjoy a spectacular view from the Harihar Fort.
Monsoon is the best season to see lush Sayadoris. All fields in villages and paths will be filled with green grass.
In the post-monsoon season, the famous forts and peaks are clearly visible from above. During this period, you can expect pleasant weather.
When is the ideal time to start trekking to Harihar Fort?
The ideal time to visit Harihar Fort is to start trekking from the base before the sun starts to set. Reach the summit by noon so you can descend for a late lunch.
It takes 2.5 hours to reach the top and 1.5 hours to descend. Please be back at the trailhead by 3pm.
If you rely on public transport for your return trip, there are very few buses to Nashik or Trimbak after 3pm.The essential things which are to be carried during the trek are identity card, first aid kit, water (at least 2 litres), high-calorie snacks, plastic sheet for protection of electronic devices during monsoon and many more.