Kothaligad Trek
Raigad, Maharashtra
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- Max altitude
- 620 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 11 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Short day trek with about 500 m of climbing: a gentle 4 km jeep track from Ambivli to Peth village, then a steep, narrow rocky path and a dark rock-cut staircase inside the pinnacle; an exposed turn above a 50+ ft drop turns slippery in monsoon.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Ambivli (Ambivali), Karjat → Ambivli (Ambivali), Karjat
140 m → 620 m → 140 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Ambivli (Ambivali), Karjat
at 140 mLoading forecast…
High point · Kothaligad (Peth Fort) summit
at 620 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Ambivli (Ambivali), Karjat
- Nearest railway
- Karjat
- Nearest airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
- By road
- Karjat to Ambivli (about 23 km by bus towards Jambrung/Solanpada or hired vehicle); Mumbai to Ambivli (about 90 km); Pune to Ambivli (about 135 km)
- Drive
- About 2.5 h from Mumbai
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹300–800
With an operator
₹750–1,200
Per person. Guided one-day batches cost about Rs 750–1,200 ex-Mumbai or ex-Pune (Mischief Treks Rs 750, Treks and Trails India Rs 999, Trekkers of India Rs 949 plus 5% GST from Pune), usually with transport and meals. Self-guided estimate is ex-Karjat: shared transport to Ambivli, village meals, and the village entry fee at Peth (reported as Rs 20 in 2022 and Rs 50 in 2026; check locally).
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 22
Monsoon months (Jun–Sep): pack everything in plastic or a dry bag and wear shoes with good grip.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Indiahikes reports signal for major networks along most of the trail; other operators call it limited
- Last ATM
- Karjat or Neral
- Nearest hospital
- Karjat (no hospital within about 15 km of the fort)
- Water
- Eateries at Ambivli and near Peth village; rock-cut cisterns on the fort. Carry at least 2 litres
Highlights
- A staircase carved inside the rock pinnacle, climbing like a chimney to the top of the fort
- Old cannons at the fort gateway and lion and elephant carvings beside the last door
- The large Bhairoba cave temple with carved pillars, and rock-cut water cisterns
- 360-degree views of Padargad, Siddhagad, Chanderi, the Bhimashankar range and Matheran
- Monsoon waterfalls on the Peth plateau, often blown back upwards by the wind
Risks
- Landslides and fallen trees on the Ambivli–Peth stretch in monsoon; avoid shortcuts cutting through the mud walls
- Steep rock-cut steps inside the pinnacle and an exposed right turn above a 50+ ft drop become very slippery when wet
- The narrow, exposed trail that circles the fort has caused injuries; operators advise against it
- Raigad district can issue monsoon prohibitory orders on forts and waterfalls at short notice; check the collector's notices before a June–September visit
- Leeches and heavy rain in monsoon; summer days can be very hot with little shade
Know before you go
Questions
Do I need a permit to trek Kothaligad?
No permit is needed. Villagers collect a small entry fee at Peth village (Indiahikes reported Rs 20 in 2022, TrekUp India Rs 50 in 2026), and local guides are available there.
How long is the Kothaligad trek and how long does it take?
From Ambivli it is about 4 km on a jeep track to Peth village and about 1.6 km more of steep climbing to the top, roughly 11 km there and back. The climb takes 3–4 hours one way at an easy pace; operators run it as a one-day trek. Some operators quote 6.5 km, which seems to assume part of the jeep track is driven.
Can beginners do Kothaligad?
Operators rate it easy to moderate. Indiahikes says active people can make it their first Sahyadri trek, but people who do little exercise may find the continuous climb tiring.
When is the best time to go?
It is done all year. The monsoon (June–September) brings waterfalls and mist but slippery rock; October to February gives clear views and cool weather. Treks and Trails India runs fireflies treks in May and June.
Can I stay overnight?
Yes. Indiahikes notes tent pitching near Peth village, homestays in Peth, and that the Bhairoba cave can hold 15–20 people.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: RaigadMaharashtra
- Nearest hospital
- Karjat (no hospital within about 15 km of the fort)
- Last ATM
- Karjat or Neral
- Phone network
- Indiahikes reports signal for major networks along most of the trail; other operators call it limited
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Kothaligad
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- The Complete Guide to Kothaligad Trek — Indiahikes
- Kothaligad Trek — TrekUp India
- Kothaligad Peth Fort Trek — Trekkers of India
- Kothaligad Trek | Peth Fort Trek (tour listing by the operator Treks and Trails India, treksandtrails.org; not this site) — Treks and Trails India
- Kothaligad Fort Trek — Mischief Treks
- Kothaligad Trek, Sat, Aug 29, 2026 (Ramblers India) — Ramblers India
- Kothaligad — Wikipedia
Photos: Ccmarathe, CC BY-SA 4.0; Elroy Serrao, CC BY-SA 2.0; Elroy Serrao, CC BY-SA 2.0
