Two months after my last trek, I decided it was time to get back on the trails. Having just been out of work, I called some friends to see if they could join me, but they were all tied up with work. Since I don’t like to trek solo, I decided to wait for my friends to join me. Then, a ray of adventure shone through when my friend Kedar called me one day, telling me he was in Pune and planning a trek to Tung and Morigi Fort. After being thrilled with the idea, we agreed to embark together on our adventure. As we gathered information on Morigi Fort, we realized that going after both Morigi and Tung at once might be too ambitious. Remembering our previous trek to Tail-Baila Fort, we decided it would be a great warm-up and a chance to enjoy familiar territory.
With the date set, I made sure to wrap up all pending household chores the day before the trek. The night before our adventure, I had a chat with Kedar to plan our meeting point. Since my bike was not in good condition, we agreed that I would leave it at his place, and we’d ride together on his bike. After waking up and refreshing myself, I packed my bag and took some fruit with me. Riding 30 kilometers, I reached Kedar’s house in Navi Sangvi at 4 am. He was waiting for me outside his building, and we quickly set off towards our adventure. Starting our journey so early in the morning filled us with excitement and anticipation for the adventure ahead.
THE JOURNEY
Choosing the Pune-Lonavla highway over Paud Road, we rode through the chill morning air, excited for the day ahead. It had been two years since our last trek to Purandhar Fort, and we were eager to hit the trails together again. Reaching the Lonavla toll naka after a two-hour ride, we stopped for breakfast, having skipped a meal at home since we left early. After fueling up with some delicious poha and tea, we set out for our first fort of the day. The weather was perfect, with October’s cool breeze and lush greenery surrounding us. The serene atmosphere and the thrill of the adventure ahead filled us with excitement as we rode towards Tail-Baila. As we rode, the golden rays of the rising sun illuminated the Korigad Fort, creating a breathtaking sight. We greeted the rising sun and continued our journey towards Tail-Baila Fort.
Tail-Baila Fort Trek
We arrived at the base village of Tail-Baila around 7:30 am. On our way to the parking point, we spotted an old road roller that had been there for nearly a decade. We couldn’t resist snapping a picture with it.
The famous line “abhi thik karke deta hu” from the movie Khatta Meetha crossed my mind as we posed for the photo. After capturing the moment, we started our hike towards the fort. Within 30 minutes, we reached the Mahadev temple located at the base of the fort. The temple had a water tank with crystal-clear water that stays full all year. Positioned between two high points of the fort, the temple offered a stunning view of the tall fort structure and the ruined staircase. From this spot, we could also see Sudhagad and the climbing points marked by experienced climbers.
After receiving Mahadev’s blessings, we returned to the starting point of the Tail-Baila trek. It was important to visit the large stone marker to complete our journey. Standing atop the stone marker with our Bhagwa flag, we felt a sense of pride. Despite the strong winds, we reflected on the resilience portrayed by these forts in life. The breathtaking views of the Sahyadri mountain range and Tail-Baila village from the stone marker made the experience truly unforgettable. After capturing these moments, we started our descent around 9 am and reached the parking area in just 20 minutes.
How to reach tail-baila fort
To reach Tailbaila village, start by making your way to Lonavala. From there, follow the road leading towards Bhushi Dam, then onto Aamby Valley via the A.N.S. Shivaji Road. About 20 kilometers from Lonavala, you’ll come across Peth Shahapur village (the base village for Korigad), on the right side of the road. Take the turn towards Bhamburde village. Continue along this road for approximately 8.5 kilometers until you reach a junction near Dhambari. From there, proceed for another 3 kilometers to finally reach Tailbaila village, which is just a short distance from the junction.
Morgiri Fort Trek
As we started our journey to Morgiri fort, our first problem was finding breakfast because there were no food shops nearby. So, we stopped at the base village of Korigad fort and had some wadapav and tea to get energy before our adventure.
Jambhulne village, where Morgiri fort starts, was very peaceful. Houses made of wood and mud, animals like cows, ducks, and chickens wandering around, and friendly dogs guarding each doorstep painted a picture of peaceful rural life.
We spoke with villagers to find the route to Morgiri Fort. They said we were the first group heading there that day. We began walking, entering a dense jungle. Thankfully, previous trekkers had left pieces of cloth tied to trees and a directional board to guide us. After a 10-minute trek, we reached a point where two hills met. There, a sign pointed left, indicating the path to climb. The hill was slippery and steep, taking us 20 minutes to reach the top. We enjoyed the view, ate some fruit, and took drone shots.
Continuing, we could see Morgiri Fort and the Sahyadri mountain range, including Korigad Fort. We followed the path, occasionally getting confused, but Kedar used a trekking app with recorded directions to guide us.
Feeling tired and thirsty from running out of water, we persevered and reached the toughest part of the trek.
Luckily, previous trekkers had left a rope to assist us in climbing this challenging section. After conquering this patch, we followed a narrow path leading to the fort.
Along the way, we stumbled upon the Jaakhmata temple, where we found four to five small water tanks. It felt good to refill our bottles and drink the cool, refreshing water from nature’s own cooler.
Near the temple, we found a small iron ladder leading to the top of the fort. At the summit, we spotted another small temple and a tall pole proudly displaying the Baghva flag. From there, we enjoyed a wide view of Lonavala, including Tung, Tikona, and Korigad forts, Pawana Lake, and Ambe Valley city. After capturing the moment with the drone and taking pictures, we relaxed before heading back down.On our way back, we stopped by the temple to fill our bottles with water from the nearby tank.
Then, we started our journey back to Pune, walking for 45 minutes until we reached the village where we began. It felt good to be on familiar ground again, surrounded by peaceful countryside. As the day ended, we headed back to Pune after our exciting trek. We remembered the amazing views and how we conquered challenges together. Even though we were tired, we felt happy because we completed two forts in one day. It was also satisfying to explore new places and learn about their history. We said goodbye to the mountains, but we knew we’d come back. Until next time, Sahyadri, we’ll miss you!
how to reach Morgiri Fort
Travel from Mumbai or Pune to Lonavala. From Lonavala, take the road towards Bhushi Dam and A.N.S Shivaji. Follow the 16-kilometer route to reach Aamby Valley. At Aamby Valley, there’s a split in the road—one leading to Aamby Valley and the other to Tung Fort. Follow the road towards Tung Fort. Along this route, you’ll pass Essar Agrotech and Club Mahindra. About 2 kilometers from the split, you’ll reach Jambhulne village, which serves as the base village for Moragiri Fort trek.
Follow the link to watch the video of my journey exploring Tail-Baila and Morgiri forts: https://youtube.com/shorts/Y0q1x9G5os4?si=gFj1lyRcNbFIOHoy
Superbly written blog….