A Day Trek to Irshalgad!

Irshalgad is an approximately 6.5 km out and back trek located near Panvel (Chowk) in Maharashtra. It is on Mumbai-Pune highway taking outfit on Shedung-Rasayani bypass. This is a gradual, moderately difficult trek that suits people of all ages, that is if you’re physically fit and have no heart problems ;). If you are not aware of this trek, then let’s make you all aware of this place.

Irshalgad; Taluka: Panvel; District Raigad (Location)

First of all, let’s talk about how to travel. You don’t need to be a part of a trekking group that arranges such treks. Any groups can travel on their own. If you’re traveling by your own vehicle, then you need to go to a village called Nanivali, near Chowk (a town). Chowk is on NH4, which connects Panvel with Karjat. Chowk also has a railway station (Station code: CHOK). ‘Pune – Bhusaval Express’ is the train which can be onboarded to help you reach Chowk Railway Station. Chowk, Nanivali is the starting point of the trek to Irshalgad. (For your convenience, I’ve posted Google Map location link at the end of the post)

For all of those who are planning their first trek, this will be the best start for them. Difficulty wise it can be rated between easy to a moderately-difficult trek which takes around 2 hours to climb and around 1.5 hours to descend. You can make this trek in two phases, one point when you reach the pinnacle base. But if you want to make your trek more adventurous then you can continue it till the top point. Refer to the below image to get more understanding about the two points.

Depending on the point you choose to end your trek on, you’ll get different views. Nonetheless, an awesome view, a dam, and the beautiful greenery all around you will be common from both of those points.

When you are on the top, you can enjoy the soothing mountain breeze with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Buy yourself a bowl of steaming hot Maggi, which will make you feel relaxed and make you forget about all the stress you have. Below are a few more images that we had captured during the trek. Now you can imagine how wonderful it’ll feel to be here in person.

When you plan to go on this trek, please make sure that you carry enough water, food, a first-aid kit, a mosquito repellent, a Bluetooth speaker (optional), and a garbage bag (to make sure you don’t loiter around and spoil the beauty of nature). If you have already been on this trek or planning ongoing in the future, do let us know in the comments section below.