Falling in love with the Mumbai Monsoon
How many of you love monsoons. Somewhere deep in our hearts, rains have a particular romantic tint to it. The long holidays, the smell of new books, damp classes, blankets in the comfort of our room, watching the raindrop slide down the windows, making paper boats, admit it we have a lot of fond memories to associate it with.
After the monsoon slumber in the first weekends, Mumbaikars will set out on treks to explore nature. With its lush green mountains, small streams, water jets, and rocky climbing paths, the hill stations in Matheran and Neral attract trekkers from all over Maharashtra. There are trails for everyone, from novice to veteran trekkers. Base villages of most trails can be easily reached from local train stations. Lots of groups based in Mumbai organize such one-day treks. I met with The Indian Trails, a group of enthusiasts from various backgrounds, doing it out of their passion
Peb Fort
Vikatgad Peb Fort is one of the many trails you can embark, on a monsoon weekend. To quote The Indian Trails -
"Peb Fort, also know as Vikatgad Fort, is a hilltop fort structure reachable by a popular monsoon trek through lush greenery & waterfalls. The Fort is located 19km from Karjat, in Raigad district, of Maharashtra. This Fort is in continuation with the Malang gad, Tauli Hill and Chanderi Fort of the Matheran Hill Range. Vikatgad is a favourite destination for one-day trekkers. The trek path to Vikatgad is along deep ravines and cliffs. Its closeness to Matheran and Neral attracts many trekkers on weekends. The forest department and local villagers are doing plantation and some restoration works on the Fort. The trekking starts from Anandvadi village, which is easily reachable from Neral Railway Station in a Share Taxi, and end up in Matheran Railway Track."
The trail is of moderate difficulty—a little adventurous with strong winds, narrow ridges, and tracks that go straight up small water streams. There are three main landing spots before the pinnacle, where you can catch your breath and enjoy the scenery without obstructing other climbers. Rest up and take refreshments. After the first landing spot, the trail narrows down to a single path. It goes up further posing itself with few steep climbs, narrow ridges, and small streams till you reach the Fort.
There is a temple on the top where regular prayers are being held. Photography is permitted, but you have to remove your shoes to enter there. The place will be really foggy and will remind you of heaven scenes depicted in mythological TV shows.From there you will climb a little up to the pinnacle. Descend is tricky. There is a single path congested by an iron ladder that is not in its best shape. If the crowd is big, you might have to wait in line for a bit- the only unpleasant encounter in the whole trip
After the ladder, a few meters will take you to a mountain pass -the most picturesque path I have ever seen. This pass will lead to the Matheran railway tracks. Imagine a narrow railroad on the periphery of a lush green mountain. It felt like I could stand there, socked in the view forever. A refreshing light drizzle was aiding us throughout the trek. Passing a few more streams, we reached the main road. We had some hot Maggi and baby corn while waiting for the share taxis.
While riding down the pass, saying goodbye to the peak, feeling exhausted and rewarded, I could think of only one thing .... "where to next........."
