Vikatgad Peb Fort — Attraction in Maharashtra

Peb Fort / Vikatgad Fort is a fort located 19km from Karjat, in Raigad district, of Maharashtra. This fort is in continuation with the Malang gad, Tauli Hill and Chanderi fort of the Matheran Hill Range. Vikatgad is a favourite destination for the one day trekkers. The trek path to Vikatgad is along deep ravines and cliffs. Its closeness to Matheran and Neral is attracting a large number of trekkers on weekends. The forest dept. and local villagers are doing plantation and some restoration works on the fort. Very less history about this fort is available. This fort got the name from Pebi Devi goddess. This fort has store rooms for storing food grains and ammunition. This fort was visited by Captain Dickinson in 1818

How to Reach : This fort can be reached from Panvel and Neral towns. The nearest town is Matheran which is 8km from Neral. The Neral is well connected by rail and road. It is a busy station on the Mumbai-Pune railway line. There are good hotels in Matheran and Neral. Tea and snacks are also available in small hotels on the way to Matheran. There are many routes to reach the fort. The easiest is to reach Matheran by bus/car/train and start walking along the railway track. The route is very narrow. There are few trees on the trekking route. It takes about an hour to reach the entrance stairs of the fort. The night stay on the fort can be made in the Datta temple on the fort. The other path is from the Kadya Ganpati idol. A scary walk along the lonely path is followed to reach the col on the north, then follow the trek path on the other side of the hill to reach the Peb fort. The other two routes are very difficult. These trek routes start from the base village Mamadapur and Fanaswadi. It requires 3 hours to reach the fort from the base villages. A path which leads to the col on the north of the fort is to be approached with high endurance. The trek path along the electric towers leads to the col. After reaching the col, the path over the southern narrow ridge should be followed to reach the Vikatgad fort scarp. There are three 5 feet high rock patches to be negotiated to reach the entrance gate. The path moves along the western side of the scarp. A nice cave temple is on the way. There is water available in the rock-cut cisterns.[2]There are some narrow caves dug along the scarp. The caves are very narrow so that only one person can enter inside at a time. One of the cave is 20-30 feet long with a small iron ladder to climb down. It is very humid and dark in the cave. This fort can be visited in all seasons, however, it is very windy and cloudy in the rainy season. There are two gates on the entrance path of the fort, however, only ruins of the gates can be seen. There are water cistern and ruins of the buildings on the fort. The top of the fort is very narrow and a recently built temple with Lord Datta's paduka idol at the center is constructed. There is a lone residential hut or Datta temple on the southern side of the fort. There is a lone bastion on the southern ridge of the fort. The water is available in a small cistern round the year for drinking purpose located on the eastern ridge. There is an idol of Hanuman on the fort. The ground on the fort is very irregular and hilly. It takes about an hour to visit all...

Trekking near Mumbai to Peb Fort or Vikatgad around four km from Neral Railway Station. Peb Fort is a delightful trek in the Monsoon season. Also known as the Vikatgad Trek, the hike passes through a local village and many waterfalls. The Trek near the Foothills of Matheran's offers all that a trekker can ask for climbing ladders, navigating rock patches, ancient caves, dense forest, ridge walking, pleasant weather. Peb Fort Trek can be combined with a Matheran visit, or you can trek till Panorama point Matheran. Excellent for new trekkers, a village guide or guided tour will make the Trek more enjoyable.

It is assumed that this fort derived its name Peb from the 'Goddess Pebi' at the base of the fort. Historical references indicate that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used the caves on the fort as silos for grain storage.

The cave on the fort is occupied by disciples of Swami Samarth, a great saint. They have contributed a lot to the development of this fort for the last ten years. They have managed successfully to keep the cave and the fort clean and maintained the dignity of the Peb fort. Near to this cave are meditation caverns, which are underground. These caverns are still in good condition. One has to crawl into these, and only one man can enter at one time.

In monsoon, two of these are filled with water. On the top, we can go by climbing the fort's wall; On the top, we can see some remnants. The main attraction here is the bastion on the topmost part. Bastion faces the mountain of Matheran. Here we can see the ridge connecting the mountains of Matheran and Peb. When we stand here, we feel like to be at the top of the world.

On the other side of the fort is a temple of a deity. Here is a big cistern. The disciples are constructing a good temple here. We can reside here for some time. The beautiful waterfall on the way is the main attraction here. The surrounding scenery looks marvellous from the cave in the monsoon. We also see the pinnacles of Navara-Navari, Bhatoba and Irshalgad Fort, and Chanderi Fort, Prabalgad Fort, Kalavantin Durg and Malanggad and also Nakhind Ridge. This trekking is pleasant in all seasons.

How to Reach : We have to take Karjat train from Central Railways and to reach Neral station. From Neral Station we have to do the share taxi / eeco Van which cost us around 100 / pp. And other option is of Toy Train which runs from Neral - Matheran to and fro. After that we have to reach the Junction-134 on the railway track. From the point we have the trail of almost 45-50 mins. After doing the track trail the og trek start through some narrow patches. And we reach the top of fort. While returning do visit the Ganpati Idol just 5 mins away the location from the trek start.

Cheers..Happy...

Vikatgad (Peb) Fort is a hidden treasure nestled near Nerul, offering an adventurous and thrilling trek that leaves a lasting impression. Our journey began on a weekday, which was a great decision as it allowed us to experience the tranquility and natural beauty of the fort without the weekend crowds. Starting from the base near Nerul railway station, we embarked on an exhilarating 4.5-hour trek to the top.

The trail is well-marked and diverse, presenting a mix of challenges that make the trek both exciting and rewarding. As we ascended, we encountered a variety of terrains, from rocky paths to dense forests, each section offering unique views and experiences. The thrill of navigating through steep inclines and narrow passages added to the adventure, making it a perfect trek for enthusiasts looking for a bit of a challenge.

Reaching the top of Vikatgad Fort was a truly rewarding experience. The fort itself is steeped in history, and the remnants of its structure tell stories of its glorious past. At the summit, we were greeted by a serene temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple, with its peaceful ambiance, provided a perfect spot for rest and reflection after the strenuous climb. The panoramic views from the top are breathtaking, offering a stunning vista of the surrounding hills and valleys. The cool breeze and the sense of accomplishment made the moment even more special.

After spending some time soaking in the views and exploring the fort, we began our descent towards Matheran Point. The descent was equally thrilling, with different landscapes and a new perspective on the region's natural beauty. Reaching Matheran Point, we were again treated to spectacular views, making the trek even more worthwhile.

From Matheran Point, we took a cab back to our starting point near Nerul railway station. The convenience of finding transportation made the return journey hassle-free, allowing us to relax and reflect on the day's adventure.

Overall, our trek to Vikatgad (Peb) Fort was an unforgettable experience. The combination of challenging trails, historical significance, and stunning natural beauty makes it a must-visit for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. The peaceful weekday trek allowed us to fully appreciate the fort's charm and the serenity of the surroundings. Highly recommended for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in an adventurous and...