Harihar Fort - Nashik

Standing tall - The unique rock-cut steps of fort Harihar

Harihar is a picturesque fort in the Triambak range of mountains of Nashik district in Maharashtra. The 80-degree climb through the rock-cut steps of Harihar is a sheer thrilling experience.

Harihar is an elegant fort and climbing it is a privilege.  

Harihar fort as seen from base village of Harshewadi

How to reach?

Fort of Harihar is near the Triambakeshwar temple of Nashik; reaching here using private vehicle is through the Mumbai-Nashik highway via Igatpuri-Ghoti road. Base village for Harihar is Harshewadi or Nirgudpada. 4-5 hours are required to reach here. 

If one wants to use the public transport, you need to take ST bus from Igatpuri bus depot to Nirgudpada, the frequency of buses are low, the first bus is at 8.30 am. Or another option would be to start night journey and alight Nashik railway station; plenty of jeeps and tourist vehicles ply towards the Triambakeshwar which also leave you to the base of Harihar fort. But once again, frequency of these is not upto the mark hence a wise option would be to book a cab/bus/private vehicle to reach Harihar.

Difficulty Level

Overall trek level for Harihar is easy to medium grade, but in monsoons the rock-cut steps become slippery and one has to climb patiently with proper hand grip.

To reach the topmost point of the fort, an 8 feet high rock patch needs to be traversed and this point is open from all sides with cliffs directly looking down, hence this section must be properly done.

The trail is rocky and muddy

Small to medium sized boulder rocks on the trail

Time required for the trek

From the base village, a hike of 1.5 to 2 hrs takes you to the peculiar rock-cut steps, from here one needs to climb patiently; after 25 to 30 mins, we reach the Harihar plateau. Harihar is huge, exploring the fort fully may take up to 2 hrs.

Base village of Harshewadi

A unique type of stairs

The hike to the top-most point of the fort is 15 mins, with a final rock-patch slightly difficult to climb, but manageable.

Mahadarwaja

Main Entrance of the fort (Mahadarwaja)

Approaching the inside part of the fort - A small steep climb

Small path leading towards the fort plateau - One has to duck and
walk because of low height 

Final set of steps

Dilapidated entrance, the second one, which leads you to the fort plateau

What to see?

Apart from the trademark rock-cut steps of the Harihar fort, the top Harihar plateau is large in area and has 3 small water storage tanks, a medium sized lake, small temples, and offers some pretty mesmerizing views of the surrounding hills and mountains.

Bramhagiri hill

Nagphani hill - A beautiful and unique formation, pinnacle looks like the head of a cobra (nag)

One of the three water tanks on the top. Water is not potable, but in case of emergency use water cleansing agent to purify the water

Top view of the lake and the small water tanks on the left

A small Hanuman temple

Shivling besides the lake

A storage room - might have been used to keep grains or arms

Mesmerizing view of Vaitarna lake

Top Bastian of the fort

Selfie at the topmost point of Harihar fort

My Experience

The fort of Harihar had always been on my bucket list since the time I started trekking only because of its famous and unique rock-cut steps. The plan of Harihar was built out of the blue when we were trekking for Tahuli gad. Owing to connectivity issues we decided to take our own private vehicle because it was more efficient than any public transport. Hence our journey started from Airoli in Navi Mumbai, at the wee hours of a wintery saturday morning, in one of our friend's car, who was a newbie trekker, but very excited to trek for the first time.

We started at about 4.30 am in the morning, took a halt at 6 am to freshen up and keep travelling untill we planted our foot at the foothills of the Harihar fort, in the base village of Harshewadi. The winter morning was just scenic with loads of energy in the air, motivating us to trek upto the top.

The gang at the base village of Harshewadi - tired after a long journey but super excited to reach the top of Harihar.

The trek started at 9 am, After taking loads of pictures enroute we reached the main Hariar plateau at around 11.30 am, which was a fairly easy grade hike. Obviously exhausted, all took out their snacks boxes and we refilled ourselves with bread jam, fruits, parathas, pancakes, glucose, etc.

After exploring this unique fort, we started descending at 1.30 pm, finally reaching the base village at 3 pm, from where our journey back to home began, with huge chunks of photos and memory, of this elegant and uniquely built fort..... HARIHAR!

Thereee is our destination

All smiles after succefully completing the trek

A village kid happily smiling after receiving a pack of biscuits
(Which I always do after completing the trek)

Me, doing markings which might help anyone of you going to Harihar fort.... 😊

When you visit a fort or any historical monument respect it - Such disgraceful acts are a shame to our profound history

Summary of this trek

• Nearest Railway Station: Igatpuri/Nashik.
• Base Village: Nirgudpada/Harshewadi.
• Route: via., road - Igatpuri-Ghoti-Traimbak-Harshewadi; via. public transport - ST from Igatpuri to Nirgudpada; or Jeep from Nashik station.
• Average Expenditure: Rs. 400 - 500, in private vehicle.
• Ascend time: 2.5 hrs, 30 mins more in monsoons.
• Descend time: 2 hrs
• Fort height: 1,120 m above sea level
• Endurance and Stamina Level: Medium
• Best time to visit: All round the year

Tips

1. Carry at least 3 litres of water; more in summer, also carry water cleansing solution if drinking water from the water tanks on the fort.
2.  Use Good grip trekking shoes (especially for monsoons) since the 80-degree stairs climb becomes slippery in rainy season.
3. Private transport is best to opt for if going to Harihar.
4. Trek can be completed easily in one-day if one leaves early in morning by 4 am.