Exploring the Beauty of Kalsubai and its Surroundings

Kalsubai, or the "Everest of Maharashtra," is the highest point in the state, standing at 1,646 meters (5,400 feet). Nature lovers' heaven and trekkers' paradise, it is a difficult trek, especially for those who enjoy hiking with dogs. The ascent to Kalsubai is an adventure in itself, providing stunning bird's-eye vistas of the Sahyadri hill range encircling it, thick forests, and beautiful valleys. The trail is scattered with boulder paths, rocky climbing, and also some areas of iron ladder, thereby making the experience a fresh one for man and his domesticated pet dogs. Pet trekking in Kalsubai needs excellent physical fitness as climbing is not a walk in the park. Nonetheless, it is an excellent exercise in bonding for man and pet, with dogs also being able to experience the open roads amidst nature surrounding them. October to March would be the ideal time to try this trek, with the weather cooperating with man and dog both.

The Kalsubai trek is certainly challenging but not unrewarding. While trekking, one has to trek through thick undergrowth, summer falls, and a lot of wildlife. The scenery at the top is simply breathtaking with a 360-degree view of about landscape, and trekking for that alone is worth all the trouble. Although the trek is provided for dogs, care must be taken to see that dogs are well-trained and conditioned to take a trek like that. It is advisable to take enough water, food, and all the first-aid kits for yourself and your pet. Kalsubai provides an experience one can never have otherwise, and provides adventure and beauty to dog owners who are ready to hike this beautiful destination with their dogs.

History of Kalsubai Hiking

Kalsubai, which is also referred to as the state's highest point, is also a culturally and historically rich location. It is located in the Ahmednagar district and is one of the Western Ghats sacred to goddess Kalsubai, who is also the guardian goddess of the local area. Goddess Kalsubai, they even claim, used to reside upon the hill, and the temple dedicated to her on the hill serves as a nodal point which is approached by gargantuan forms of pilgrims and trekkers. The area surrounding Kalsubai is filled with a historic past, after the geographical value that has been assigned to it. The ruined topographical fort used to be an old military post of the erstwhile Maratha Empire. The fort was believed to be an important sentry of the region, serving as a watchtower to observe enemy troops. While less famous than some of the other forts of Maharashtra, such as Sinhagad or Rajmachi, the Kalsubai Fort was an important structure for conversion to a military structure during its time. Today, the top is a trekking spot of preference, attracting trekkers and nature lovers from across the state, and even from beyond the state.

Trekking to Kalsubai offers a wonderful mix of nature and history. Demolition of the fort and nature is saying a lot about the country's past since time immemorial. Kalsubai today has not only been a religious place for pilgrim travellers who visit Kalsubai temple to pray for good things, but also a sought-after place for a nature lover who visits there as a trekker because of its beauty and the risk of climbing. The religious background of Kalsubai and its association in the war history of Maharashtra provides yet another dimension to the trekking experience itself and thus becomes a destination to visit for nature trekkers and history buffs alike.

Places close to the Kalsubai trek

1. Bhandardara: Bhandardara, which is approximately 20 kilometres from Kalsubai, is a scenic hill station in the Sahyadri range of hills. Having the ability to have a peaceful beauty and calm surroundings fame, Bhandardara is a rightful place for nature lovers and anyone seeking rest after a trek. Bhandardara offers some of its very scenic ones, which are the stunning Arthur Lake, the spectacular Randha Falls, and the ancient Amruteshwar temple. The place is ideal only for boating, camping, and enjoying silence amidst nature and scenery.

2. Igatpuri: Igatpuri, at a distance of 40 km from Kalsubai, is another hill station of the Western Ghats. Igatpuri is famous for its green scenery, foggy scenes, and pleasant climate. Igatpuri attracts tourists due to trekking routes, waterfalls, and pilgrim travel. Vipassana International Academy here provides meditation classes, hence a peaceful retreat for peaceful seekers and a peaceful mind. Also, Igatpuri is a good resting place to visit nearby forts and trek in nature.

3. Trimbakeshwar Temple: Trimbakeshwar, being approximately 60 kilometres from Kalsubai, has the sacred Trimbakeshwar Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and holds a lot of religious significance. The temple lies close to the base of Brahmagiri Hill, and its location is renowned not just for spiritual purposes but due to the bird's eye view of the Sahyadri range of hills. Pilgrims visiting the site can add value to the pilgrimage by scaling Brahmagiri Hill to get a better look at the scenery and heavenly vistas around the site.

4. Nashik: About 75 kilometres from Kalsubai is Nashik, one of the oldest cities in Maharashtra and extremely famous for its religious as well as historical significance. Nashik is one of the four sites of Kumbh Mela, a grand Hindu festival. Nashik boasts many temples, such as the Panchavati Temple complex and Kalaram Sansthan, and the Godavari River, flowing through Nashik, is a river of Hindu mythology. Apart from its religious places, Nashik also has vineyards and wine tours that offer tourists a mixture of culture and exposure.

5. Saputara: It is located approximately 80 kilometres from Kalsubai and is Gujarat's only hill station, located in the Dang district near the Maharashtra-Gujarat border. It is famous for its peaceful climate, dense forests, and natural beauty. Saputara is famous for its picturesque Lake Saputara, a boating facility for which is provided to the tourists, and Sunset Point, from where a panoramic view of the hills can be enjoyed. The town is also provided with facilities like trekking, paragliding, and a cable car, and hence becomes an apt destination for family tourists as well as adventure tourists.

6. Anjneri Hill: Anjneri Hill, located around 55 kilometres from Kalsubai, is famous as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman and hence religiously significant. The hill offers a moderately challenging trek with a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, and thus a trekkers' and pilgrims' delight too. Anjneri Temple, which is situated at the summit of the hill, offers a spiritual ambience to the trek and thus a decision for travellers in quest of adventure and calmness. The scenery of the hill and the peaceful environment make it the best destination to visit for an inner peace retreat.

Best Time to Visit Kalsubai for Trekking

• Winter (October to February): Winter seasons are perhaps the best time to trek Kalsubai. The weather is good, and the steep ascent is no longer tiring, especially as the top might be very chilly, even for a day trekker. The blue sky of the time gives great vistas of the Sahyadri range around it, so it's even more worthwhile. It's tourist season for travellers among trekkers, and hence the trail will be crowded, but the reward is well worth it. Additionally, pleasant weather ensures that your pet dog, if you have one with you, also enjoys the hike without becoming exhausted in the sun.

• Monsoon (June to September): Kalsubai is covered with green grasslands during monsoons, and the scene is a green paradise. The trek is tough since the trails are slippery and there is lots of rain, thus ideal for experienced mountaineers who can tolerate wetter conditions. Waterfalls in the area during peak season are at their most beautiful shape, and the experience is simply wonderful. Dog trekkings in monsoons are, nevertheless, not recommended because the trail would be slippery and the weather erratic. If you still go for it, please don't forget to carry rain gear with you and be extra careful.

• Summer (March to May): Scaling Kalsubai during the summer months is not advisable as it is extremely hot, especially at the base. It makes climbing extremely exhausting with the heat, especially as there is no shade along the path. But if you would like a less-travelled hike and do not want to be overrun with crowds of humanity, early morning or evening, late in summer can still yield a peaceful, if challenging, hike. It is recommended to start early on your trek so that you will not be climbing at noon and to take a lot of water so that you will not get dehydrated.

How to Reach Kalsubai for Trekking

• By Road: The trekker considers road transport to Kalsubai as one of the simplest methods of approach. The summit is nearly 156 km from Mumbai and 45 km from Igatpuri town and is very well connected by road. Travel by NH 3 highway from Mumbai to connect the city with Igatpuri and the surrounding villages to the foot of Kalsubai. In Igatpuri, travel on local roads to Bari village, the point of trekking. A taxi or private car can be utilised as an alternative, easy transport. State transport buses or government transport buses may also be available from nearby towns and cities.

• By Train: The closest railway station to Kalsubai is Igatpuri, which is easily accessible from all major cities like Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune. Hire local shared jeeps or taxis from the Igatpuri station to go up to Bari village, the trekking base of Kalsubai. Igatpuri is 20 km from Bari and by road, 30-40 minutes. It is not hard to use the train facility from Mumbai or Pune to Igatpuri, and if you are a routine train traveller, even that can be a good travel facility.

• By Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at Mumbai, 165 km away, is the nearest airport to Kalsubai. By taxi or car rental from the airport, you can continue further to the Bari village. Alternatively, you can also take a flight to Nashik Airport, which is about 80 km from the base village, but flights are not as frequent to Nashik. Upon arrival at either of the airports, take the road trip to the base point of the trek. A car journey from Nashik or Mumbai is picturesque and provides one with an idea of what the landscape around the beautiful places on the way to the mountain is like.

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