Kalsubai, a 5,400-foot-high summit as far as sea-level height, is not only the state's highest but also a place steeped in legend and local religious lore. The summit is named after a woman by the name of Kalsubai, who lived in villages in the area. It is stated, it is thought in the folklore, that Kalsubai was a working woman who toiled in the fields and assisted the villagers in their day-to-day work. She was famous for her healing power and generosity. One day, tired of her hectic life, she ascended the mountain and slept on the peak. She did, however, vanish in thin air within minutes, and the villagers went ahead to construct a tiny temple at the top in her name. The Kalsubai Temple still stands today and receives a lot of pilgrims who hike to the top as a pilgrimage. Mountain lovers can discover more summit adventures through our Treks in Maharashtra guide.Over time, the hill became religious as well as militarily famous. The nearby forts of Alang, Madan, Kulang, and Ratangad provided a series of well-defended forts under the Maratha occupation. From the top of Kalsubai, it would be possible to have a bird's eye view of the surroundings, and hence it was a strategic position. Presently, Kalsubai is one of the most visited trekking spots with a picturesque blend of spirituality, history, and nature. Its trail with ladders and man-made rails welcomes thousands of pilgrims, adventure seekers, and trekkers annually to witness its stories and awe-inspiring grandeur. Trekkers seeking sunrise views and mountain challenges often choose our Kalsubai Trek Package.Places to Visit Around KalsubaiBhandardara: A trek from Bari village, Bhandardara is a peaceful hill station encircled by lakes, waterfalls, and forests. Arthur Lake, Randha Falls, and Umbrella Falls are the ideal locations for nature lovers and photographers. It's also the ideal location to unwind after trekking, with camps to pitch on the lake under the black night sky studded with stars.Ratangad Fort: 22 km from Kalsubai is Ratangad Fort, an old hill fort once belonging to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is a moderately challenging trek with good scenery of the Sahyadri ranges, it is. The fort comprises ancient caves, a natural rock hole called the "Nedhe" or Eye of the Needle, and the remnants of robust fortifications.Harishchandragad: Somewhat out of the way but a trekker's paradise, Harishchandragad is famous for its boulder landscape, giant cliff (Konkan Kada), and old temples. It offers an exhilarating extension for those wishing to further develop their trekking adventure from Kalsubai.Amruteshwar Temple: At Ratanwadi near Bhandardara, this 1,200-year-old Shiva temple is constructed in Hemadpanthi style architecture. This ancient and architectural marvel is an obligatory halt en route to Ratangad.Alang, Madan & Kulang Forts (AMK): They are one of the most challenging treks of Maharashtra and can be seen from the peak of Kalsubai. The three are known as a group by the name AMK and are the preference of seasoned trekkers because of their challenging trails and rich Maratha heritage.Best Time to Trek KalsubaiWinter (October to February): The Winter season is arguably the most suitable time to trek Kalsubai. The weather is fine, and the incline climb is no longer exhausting, remembering that the top could be icy, even for a normal day hiker. Blue sky during this time of the year provides excellent vistas of the Sahyadri chain of hills that go around it, so even more worth it. Tourist season for tourists among trekkers, and therefore the trail will be full, but the reward is well worth it. Also, good weather means your dog, if you bring one along, also gets to experience along on the trek without getting exhausted in the sun.Monsoon (June to September): Kalsubai is surrounded by green grasslands during monsoons, and the view is a green paradise. The trek is challenging since the trails are slippery and rains are plentiful, so well-suited for expert trekkers who can tolerate wetter conditions. Waterfalls here are most beautiful during summer, and experiencing anything less than excellent is. Dog trekkings during monsoons are in no way worth trying, though, since the trail would be slippery and the weather unpredictable. If you do go and try it despite this, do also consider rain gear and be extra careful.Summer (Mar to May): It is not recommended to climb Kalsubai in the summer since it gets extremely hot, particularly at the lower part. Climbing is too strenuous in heat, particularly if the trail has no shade. But if off-season trekking is your thing and you don't mind missing the view of hordes of humanity, early morning or evening, the end of August is a peaceful, if strenuous, hike. It is best to begin early in your trekking so that you will not be hiking in the heat of the day, and have plenty of water so that you will not get dehydrated.How to Approach Kalsubai for TrekkingBy Road: Road transport to Kalsubai is challenged by the trekker in the form of one of the most convenient methods of approach. The summit is just 156 km away from Mumbai and 45 km from Igatpuri town and can be reached easily by road. Travel on the NH 3 road from Mumbai to link the city to Igatpuri and surrounding villages to the base of Kalsubai. Local road journey from Igatpuri to Bari village, the trek start point. A private vehicle or a taxi is an alternative, easy transport. Government transport buses or state transport buses can be hired from the neighbouring towns and cities.By Train: The closest railway station to Kalsubai is Igatpuri, which is well linked from all major cities such as Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune. One can take a local shared jeep or taxi from the Igatpuri station to reach as far as Bari village, the base of the Kalsubai trek. Igatpuri is 20 km from Bari and 30-40 minutes by road. It is not so inconvenient to avail of the train facility from Mumbai or Pune to Igatpuri, and if you travel by train quite often, even that is a viable means of travel.By Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at Mumbai is the nearest airport, 165 km away from Kalsubai. Airport taxi or car rental will enable you to travel a short distance to the Bari village. Alternatively, take a flight to Nashik Airport, which is 80 km from the base village, although flights for Nashik do not operate that often. After arriving at either of the airports, drive the road trip up to the trekking base point. The travel from Mumbai or Nashik is scenic and a preview of how the surrounding panorama of the lovely places en route to the mountain would look.
