Explore the Majestic Western Ghats: Serene Places to See in Malshej Ghat

The beauty of the Western Ghats is underrated and breathtakingly beautiful, especially during the monsoon season when its beauty intensifies greatly. The beauty of the Western Ghats is attributable to the various beautiful hill stations. And, among them, Malshej Ghat, a mountain pass in Maharashtra, stands out as a hidden gem. With its magnificent waterfalls, lush greenery, numerous lakes, and verdant flora and fauna, Malshej Ghat is popular among nature lovers, trekkers, and hikers. The hill station is the perfect getaway from the clamour of Mumbai, Pune, or Thane. The area is famous for pink flamingoes, which migrate in July and September. For people looking to spend some time with nature or just a weekend getaway in peace, Malshej Ghat is for you. In this guide, we'll look at the best places to see in Malshej Ghat for a memorable trip to this beautiful destination.

Best Places to Visit in Malshej Ghat

• Malshej Falls
• Harishchandragad Fort
• Konkan Kada Pimpalgaon
• Joga Dam
• Ajoba Hill Fort
• Bhandardara
• Sindola Fort Trek
• Lenyadri Caves
• Kalu Waterfall

Malshej Falls

While driving on Ahmednagar-Kalyan Road, you will come across a cluster of waterfalls and streams plummeting down from rocky hills. These are located 6 km from the Malshej Ghat viewpoint and 9 km from the Malshej Ghat bus stop. The highway reveals some of the streams, but the forests conceal the majority, shrouded in lush foliage and layers of mist. The sight of the waterfall cascading down hills is mesmerising. Consider visiting during the monsoon season to witness these falls in their entirety. Even if you don't visit the falls in the forests, you can experience the waterfall's beauty and fervour on your scenic drive, making it one of the best places to visit in Malshej Ghat.

Harishchandragad Fort

At an altitude of 4,670 ft. lies the ancient Harishchandragad fort, built in the 6th century in the Ahemdnagar district of Malshej Ghat. To reach the fort, one has to traverse through forest trails and climbs, offering a panoramic view. This is one of the most sought-after treks in all of the hill stations in Maharashtra. The fort's confluence of historical and mythological elements with picturesque mountainous ranges will leave you in awe, making it one of the best Malshej Ghat attractions. The fort also houses caves, temples, and a lake, serving as a testament to the beautiful and intrinsic ancient architecture of India. The trek has three different routes, each with a different time to reach and level of difficulty, making it ideal for novices and experienced trekkers.

Konkan Kada

This mountain retreat, at 3500 ft. above sea level, is one of the best places to visit in Malshej Ghat if you are a thrill-seeker. As you trek to Harishchandragad Fort, you'll encounter a cobra-shaped cliff where most people camp. Camping on this vertical cliff will not only quench your thirst for adventure but also provide breathtaking views. The promise of witnessing a circular rainbow is another point that makes it a major Malshej Ghat attraction among hikers.

Pimpalgaon Joga Dam

Built over the Pushpavati River, Pimpalgaon Joga Dam is located at a distance of 18 km from Malshej Ghat. This is one of the lesser-known spots in the area; the place exudes peace and calm. A sprawling 5 km-long structure spread over the backwaters, with hills in the background, is undoubtedly one of the best places to see in Malshej Ghat. Along with this, the dam is considered a paradise for birdwatchers, spotting native and migratory birds such as the purple moorhen, pitta, alpine swift, green pigeon, pied-crested cuckoo, and many more. In the winter season, when there is sufficient water in the reservoir, boating is a popular lakeside activity. Owing to its secluded nature, the dam is one of the most serene places to visit in Malshej Ghat.

Ajoba Hill Fort

Malshej Ghat is one of the highest ranges in the Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra and is situated 48 km from Malshej Ghat. This is one of the most popular places to visit and hike near Malshej Ghat. The fort stands at 4,511 feet, making it one of the highest peaks in the western ghats. Situated among dense forests, Ajoba Hill Fort is a delight for trekkers with its exciting trail. The trek starts in Dehene village and takes 4-5 hours to complete. The trek is divided into two parts, the first half leads to Valmiki Ashram, and the second half leads to Luv Kush Cave. During the trek, people also visit the place for rock climbing, which provides an adrenaline rush, making it the best place to visit in Malshej Ghat as part of your Maharashtra tour package.

Bhandardara

Another beautiful hill station nestled in the Shayadri ranges is Bhandardara, which is often referred to as the Queen of the Sahyadri ranges. The place is around 95 km from Malshej Ghat, and its lush green natural landscapes are a wonderful retreat for backpackers, making it a place to visit near Malshej Ghat. The prominent places to see for nature lovers are Wilson Dam, Umbrella Falls, and Arthur Lake. Another famous attraction is Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra. Bhandardara also has many resorts where you can relax in the pleasant weather. With its greenery all around and gurgling waterfalls, Bhandardara is the perfect place near Malshej Ghat.

Sindola Fort Trek

A lesser-known place in Malshej Ghat, this trek remains largely unexplored. It is located in the Junnar region of Malshej Ghat, at a height of 3,680 m above sea level. The fort served as a watchtower in the past, providing a comprehensive view of Malshej Ghat, Pargaon village, and other renowned forts. The fort, though small, is beautiful with water reservoirs and a Ganesha idol at the entrance. The highlight of the trek is the ridge walk, from which you will get a clear view of many other forts in Malshej Ghat and Pimpalgaon Joga Dam. On the trail to Sindola Fort, you can spot the famous and rare Karwi flowers, which bloom once every seven years. The route to the trek is narrow, but it only takes around 1 and a half hours to reach the top. Because this trek is unexplored, you will find fewer people traversing the trail, making it ideal for those looking for peaceful and serene places to see in Malshej Ghat.

Lenyadri Caves

Another beautiful Malshej Ghat tourist place to visit is Lenyadri Caves. The caves are composed of 30 beautiful rock-cut Buddhist caves, one of which is dedicated to the god Ganesha. The caves, carved between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, are almost identical in structure. The caves are around 4.8 km from Junnar. Not only do the caves showcase a spectacular blend of Buddhist and Hindu faiths, but the Ganesh temple, one of the Ashtavinayak temples, is also among the eight most fearsome Ganesha temples in Maharashtra. The Lenyadri caves represent Buddhism's early Hinayana pahes, which are largely devoid of sculptures. People revere the Ganesh temple, believing it to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. Lenyadri Cave is not only a relevant historical Malshej Ghat point to visit, but also a religious one.

Kalu Waterfall

Kalu waterfall is the largest and highest waterfall in the Malshej region, at 1200 ft. with five cascading layers. The journey to this waterfall is a mesmerising jungle trek that starts in Harishchandragad and passes through Khireshwar village. The trek leads you through scenic routes through lush green forests, where you will encounter numerous streams and waterfalls. The trek is also known as "God Valley" because of its scenic route and the constant abundance of waterfalls along the way. The waterfall is seasonal, so if you want to witness its grandeur and experience its full force, you should visit during the monsoon season, making it a must-visit place to see in Malshej Ghat. There are two routes to reach Kalu waterfall, one from Khireshwar village, approximately 4-5 km away, and another from Thitabi village, a trek that takes approximately 1 hour to 1.5 hours to complete.

Malshej Ghat is a beautiful hill station with mesmerising views, historical significance, many hiking trails, and gushing waterfalls. With so many things to do, it is a perfect weekend getaway from Mumbai or Pune. Whether you want to visit with family, explore solo, or go on an aromatic getaway, you can add Malshej Ghat to your family or couple tour packages in Maharashtra. The cool climate, pleasant weather, and lush green surroundings will show you another beautiful part of Maharashtra.