Mahuli Fort at 2815 ft, is a popular trekking destination and a paradise for trekkers because of many nearby pinnacles with interesting names like Vazir, Vishnu, etc., given by the local trekking and climbing fraternity. This mountain complex is actually a group of two or more hills with common cols and pinnacles.

It is the highest point in the Thane district. The forest surrounding Mahuli has been declared as a sanctuary. Shahaji Maharaj, father of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, occupied this fortress. The fort has been declared as a protected monument.[1]

Besides an open Shiva temple, there is a small perennial drinking water cistern on top. There are also three caves, of which the larger can be used as overnight shelter, like on many other such natural hill forts in the Maharashtrian Western Ghats (Sahyadri Range). There is a stone arch historically known as the 'Kalyan Darwaja', but the dome of the arch is now broken.

The creator of this fort are Mughals. In 1485, this place came under rule Nizamshahi dynasty. When Shahaji became the secretary of Nizamshahi, the Mughals tried to end Nizamshahi. In 1635-36, Shahaji moved to Mahuli with Jijabai and Shivaji to Mahuli. When Khan Jaman attacked the fort, Shahaji asked the Portuguese for help, who refused and Shahaji surrendered.

Shivaji took this fort from the Mughals on 8 Jan 1658, but lost it in 1661, and later won it back. By the treaty of Purandar of 1665, the Marathas lost these forts again. In Feb 1670, Shivaji tried to conquer Mahuli, but failed, Manohardas Gaud, was the in charge of the fort. A thousand Marathas were killed. Most of them were from nearby villages.Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj said to his dead kadam sardar the he was our gold. So he gave the Sonare surname to this family. Manohardas Gaud, soon gave up his position and Alveerdi Beg took over. On 16 June 1670, after two months, Moropant Pingle conquered the forts and Mahuli, Bhandargad and Palasgad became part of Swarajya. Till 1817, Shivaji's dynasty owned the fort but later on it was controlled by the British Raj.

Some Information about Mahuli Fort

Place: Mahuli Fort

Height: 2815 Ft

Type: Trek

Difficulty: Medium

Endurance: Medium

Travel Schedule

We’ll be boarding the below train from nearest local station. Train timings are shared below for convenience:

Asanagaon Slow Local

06:02 am CST

06:10 am Byculla

06:20 am Dadar

06:31 am Kurla

06:36 am Ghatkopar

06:57 am Thane

07:20 am Dombivli

07:32 am Kalyan

07:45 am Titvala

08:07 am Asangaon.

If you Miss the train you will miss the trek. Make sure reach your respected station before the time. We will board in first coach toward Asangaon.

Meeting Point : 08:07am Asangaon Station

8:15AM Leave for Mahuli Base Village

9:00Am Reach to Base Village

10:00Am Start Trek

01:00Pm Reach to Top, Have lunch and Explore the Fort

02:30Pm Start to Descend

04:30 Pm Reach the base village and have refreshment

05:00Pm Return to Asanagaon station

07:32Pm Reach Dadar

Things to Carry:

Id Card

Lunch for the day

2 Liter water

Good Trekking shoe

Cap/Camara (Optional)

Windacheater/Raincoat

1 packet of electrol, enerzal, glucon-D

Medications if required for individual

Avoid wearing precious ornaments on an event

Bring backpack to put all the above things to be carried, so hands are free to help each other while trekking. Sling bags / jholas / trolley bags etc not allowed on the event. Please bear cloths that cover your body part that can save your body from forest mosquitoes.

Included:

Asangaon to Asangaon return Journey

Morning breakfast

Evening tea and Vadapav

Mumbai Mountain Hikers Expertise.

First Aid

Excludes

Lunch/Meal/Water Bottle/Soft Drink

Entry fee

Anything which is not mention above.

Any type of security/penalty money ask by Forest department