Irshalgad - Less to see, a lot to trek!

Irshalgad as seen from base village Irshalwadi

Panoramic view from the Irshalgad

Irshalgad a 3700 feet pinnacle is located in the Panvel region among the three other forts Kalavantin, Prabalgad and Karnala. Irshalgad is not a fort but a pinnacle and a must trek destination in the list of trek lovers. Not much of a history is associated with Irshalgad and nothing is mentioned about it in the history books. Irshal in Irshalgad means Pinnacle and gad means fort. It is a sister fort to Prabalgad, both forts are connected by a ridge. Irshalgad is completely open from all sides, no fortifications are seen, hence it is always covered in fog. One can camp at the Irshalwadi village, arrangements can be made by the local villagers who offer food to the trekkers.

How to reach?

Irshalgad can be reached from Panvel or Karjat. From Panvel railway station, one needs to walk towards the Panvel ST depot, which is a 10-minute walk. Catch an ST going towards Karjat. State Transport (ST) buses ply regularly from Panvel to Karjat within a 15-minute interval.

The destination to reach is the Chouk village which is a 40 min ride from Panvel and the ST fare is a mere Rs 20. Ask the conductor to drop you at the Chouk railway station bus stop.

Panvel ST bus timetable

The Chouk ST bus stop

After reaching Chouk, you need to cross the railway line of the Chouk railway station and get on the other side.

Getting on the other side of the Chouk station

Walking towards Irshalgad

After walking for 5 mins take the road towards left, one to the right takes you to the Morbe dam

Diversion - Take left to go towards Irshalgad

The base village for Irshalgad is Irshalwadi which on the Irshalgad mountain plateau, though one passes through the village of Nanivali en route Irshalwadi. You need to ask directions towards the Irshalgad from the local villagers as the route has twists and turn.

After a walk of 30 min through the Nanivali village, the uphill trail starts which is the start point of the ascend in the trek.

Ascend starts from this point

Difficulty Level

This is a tough trek, casual trekkers must go with experienced people while doing Irshalgad; because out of all the treks Irshalgad is always in cloud cover and the route to the top is 80-90 degree steep and hence in monsoon, one cannot find the route easily hence there is a chance of getting lost.

Overall the difficulty level is tough for new people and for seasoned trekkers it is a medium to difficult level trek.

Time to reach the Irshalgad pinnacle

It takes about 2.5 to 3 hrs to reach Irshalgad pinnacle from the Nanivali village and about an hour-and-a half from the Irshalwadi village (which is on the hill).

Wooden railings at the Irshalwadi village

Irshalwadi village

The Name Irshalgad is given from the Irshalkarni or the goddess Irshaldevi temple at the Irshalwadi village. A left turn should be taken from the temple of goddess Irshaldevi.

Temple of goddess Irshaldevi

Take left from this temple

Route towards the pinnacle covered in fog

Do not climb the huge boulder rocks, instead, take a left from the side to reach the 'Nedhe' point or the Needle Hole.

Take a left turn from these boulder rocks

Wooden ladder

A small wooden ladder is installed by the local villagers to reach the top at the nedhe (needle hole).

What to see?

There is not much to see at Irshalgad since this pinnacle is always covered in fog. One can reach the 'Nedhe' while ascending to the Irshalgad pinnacle. The Nedhe can even be seen from the bottom and is a prominent feature of the Irshalgad pinnacle.

Nedhe at Irshalgad

Pinnacle 1 of the Ishalgad

Pinnacle 2 of the Irshalgad

Irshalgad has two pinnacles; the way to reach the second pinnacle is risky and very difficult, with a very narrow way, space only for one foot, so avoid going there in heavy fog and monsoon. Pinnacle 1 is easily accessible, although one cannot climb the pinnacle all the way up to the top without proper gears - ropes and harnesses and professional persons with rappelling experiences. Both pinnacles are inclined to 80 degrees hence please do not try to climb it. It might be very dangerous, few trekkers have lost their lives in trying to do so.

Wild flowers

View of Morbe dam

The Morbe dam

Splendid view of adjoining hills

My Experience

For other people, it was just another monsoon weekend, what to do? let us go to some resort and enjoy! they would have said. Weekend enjoyment for me is with a date with nature and admiring her mesmerizing beauty. 

Woke up at 3 am in the wee hours of Saturday 10th Sept., (though I never slept the whole night), traveling to Panvel for me is to change three trains, going from western line to harbour, (Kandivali-Dadar-Thane-Panvel). Our group was to meet at Thane station at 6 am and board the 6.19 am local to Panvel. We reached the Panvel station at 7.40 am had breakfast and walked towards the Panvel ST depot. The depot was crowded with lot of villagers traveling to and from Panvel to their destinations. The bus to Karjat arrived at 7.50 am and we reached the Chouk stop at 8.30 am. After walking for half and hour the uphill started and the trek became very tiring as the atmosphere was humid with very less or no brezze. We reached Irshalwadi at around 9.45 am and finished half of the trek. An hour more to go!

Our group relaxing after reaching Irshalwadi village

We reached the top of Irshalgad at around 11 am; exhausted, tired and thirsty. Had breakfast with some energy drinks.

Having Breakfast at top of Irshalgad

Ours was the only group at that time, we rested for about 45 mins and started the journey back to the base. Descend took about 2.5 hrs as we had a lot of time in hand, we went a little aaramsey and on the way did lots of photography😊.

We reached the Panvel railway station at 3.30 pm and all the guys headed to their respective homes with some amazing experience and photographs 😅.

Summary of this trek

• Nearest railway station - Panvel or Karjat
• Base Village - Chouk/Nanivali/Irshalwadi
• Average Expenditure - Rs 150 
• Bus ticket from Panvel to Chouk - Rs 20
• Ascend time - 2.5 hrs
• Descend time - 2 to 2.5 hrs
• Difficulty level - Difficult

Tips

1. Carry three liters of water, food and first aid kit
2. Wear full sleeves shirts and tracks, avoid three fourths or shorts.
3. Use good grip trekking shoes or kitoes.
4. Do not climb the Irshalgad pinnacle, unless you have very experienced people with you and proper rappelling gears and ropes.

People doing such an act are a disgrace. Please do not spoil the forts and historical monuments. They are our own property, our ancestors built them with much pride and preserving them is our responsibility.

KEEP NATURE AND SURROUNDING ATMOSPHERE CLEAN