Summer treks [Hot Season Cool trek collection for you] [updated 2019]

Go cool .. trek at nights …. I remember having my first trek in 1988 done during the summer season for the Dhak cha Bhairi .. & we starved for water .. I think that was first learning of what not to do during summer ! ..But for a hardcore trekker .. its is like breathing … one can not stop it !

Remember its time to experience adventure of the night treks … Most of the forts are having caves at the top .. have cisterns supplying you sweet & cold water … Treks like K2S (Katraj to Sinhagad) are famous for night traverse and beautiful views of Pune city … Nights are cool during summer at the heights of Sahyadris … and you can get advantage of extended stamina due to low temp ..

Get moving to the fort late evening … Reach to the top by night .. Enjoy camping … get your tents or into the caves … show your cooking skills … Singing to the best songs for friends ! do some sky gazing (do not forget to use sky map) .. experience the silence .. no TV .. no mobiles .. no traffic .. no horns .. just you & nature at its best ….

Summer treks [Hot Season Cool trek collection for you] [updated 2019]

1) K2S (Katraj to Sinhagad Night trek)

Difficulty level of K2S Summer Trek –
Medium (due to slippery descending, heavy ups and downs, distance to be covered ~12 kilometers)
Time taken – 6~7 hours
Hills to cross ~13 nos. (2~3 of them are really good to climb !)

Read my story of K2S trek and complete preparation guide for K2S trek

Care during night trek

– Night treks are done traditionally at full moon night, so that u get benefit of natural moon light
– Although battery is a must
– Get proper trekking gears.
– Someone who knows about snakes is a good to have thing
– Use of mapping software with smart phone like OsmAnd is a great to have
– Keep camera ready for great mornings .. you will get golden hours photographs for sure 🙂
– Having mobile power pack helps since GPS drains battery faster ..
– Nights are really chilling on the forts, do not forget to get jacket protection for ears !
– Wear full trousers
– Get in group of at least 25 for safety purpose

Another great option is to go for Summer trek is
2) Sandhan Valley which is also called as Valley of Shadow …

It is Natural Valley which is ~200 ft deep and ~1.5km in length, located on the west side of Bhandardara region, surrounded with mighty Alang Madan & Kulang (aka AMK) Ratangad, Ajoba & Kalsubai (5400 ft. highest peak in Maharashtra) mountain ranges.
Deep narrow rock floored ravine between the two high walls of mountain range.
Read more on

https://trekbook.in/2015/04/sandhan-valley-trek.html/

3) Harishchandragad (Kokan kada) trek

Difficulty level of Konkan kada night Summer Trek –
Easy (from Pachnai village route)
Time taken – 2 hours
Ample camping space available on fort top, so take your tents with you. If you wish to hire tents drop mail to me on mahesh@trekbook.in

Usually done during night times throughout the year, due to its long walk via Tolar khind way or if you wish you can select easy route of Pachnai village … Read more on Harishchandragad trek …

4) Ghangad Night trek during Summer

Difficulty level of Ghangad night Summer Trek –
Easy
Time taken – 45 minutes to 1 hour
Camping space available on fort top, so no issues. If you wish to hire tents drop mail to me on mahesh@trekbook.in

Read more on my Ghandad fort trek ..

https://trekbook.in/2016/02/ghangad-trek.html/

5) Torna aka Prachanddagad Night trek

Difficulty level : Medium, need expert guidance since route is slippery
Time taken : 2-3 hours
Read detailed information on my visit to Fort Torna here .. 

https://trekbook.in/2015/03/torna-trek-prachandagad.html/

6) Lohagad (Easy trek)

Very easy trek, however now a days there may be restriction on staying at night on fort, however you can complete the trek and come back to the base village where there is space for camping or even hotels nearby.

https://trekbook.in/2008/07/lohagad-fort-trek.html/

7) Ratangad (Medium to Difficult – Needs local guide)

Local guide or expert trekker shall be there to guide the way, there is space for camping on fort top, so no issues. read completer report on my trek to Ratangad below ….

https://trekbook.in/2014/02/ratangad-trek.html/

8) Rajmachi (most famous trek among Pune and Mumbai trekkers)

@15 kms from Lonavala
You can hire jeep for a group and they will drop you till Rajmachi Village
Two forts are there Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. Both are easy to moderate difficulty level treks.
Many hotels are there where you can get veg and nonveg food.
Only take care to go in groups since now a days too many drunker are there !

https://trekbook.in/2008/07/rajmachi-fort-trek.html/

Now if u have more time than a weekend .. Feel free to move to other destinations in India … here is a good read for that … http://www.indiahikes.in/blog-section/trek-blogs/how-to-choose-a-trek-for-the-summmer/

do let me know your experiences for the night trek and locations that you liked for night trekking ,.

btw now a days there are options of Night camping near Pune  …

you may like to spend summer half day to Science park at Chinchwad

or a one day trip to Gardoti museum & Gondeshwar temple at Sinner (~150 kms from Pune)

also need not go far but to explore places to visit in Pune itself !

cheers !!!