Maharashtra literally has no shortage of adventurous treks. It is gifted with the mesmerizing beauty of the Western Ghats and ancient caves. The lush green mountains, adventurous routes, and rocky terrains make Maharashtra a perfect state for adventure junkies. One such adventurous spot in the state is Naneghat.
Also known as Nanaghat, Naneghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats. It lies between the Konkan coast and the town of Junnar in the Deccan plateau.
Naneghat is nearly 120 kilometers from Pune and 165 kilometers from Mumbai. Among many spectacular things, Naneghat is famous for the breathtaking grass-covered mountains, an ancient cave, and the jaw-dropping view that it offers.
Naneghat holds great historical significance. It was an ancient trading route and one of the major trading routes during the reign of Satavahana somewhere around 200 BCE to 190 BCE. Naneghat’s meaning tells more about its historical connection. Nane means coin, and ghat means pass. Naneghat pass was used as a tollbooth to collect toll from traders coming from the Deccan high plateau.
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Naneghat pass is a picturesque pass that stretches over the Western Ghats with a hiking trail leading to the Nanaghat plateau. What was once a famous trade route has now evolved as a popular adventurous spot.
Since we are talking about Naneghat from a tourist point of view, we’ll stick to places to explore in the region.
Naneghat is located in Maharashtra’s Junnar. You can explore the pass between 7:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Naneghat Trek is one of the most popular treks in the state, with the best time to do the summit being the monsoon. Trekking is the main activity to do here, which attracts hundreds of adventure junkies from all around the country. The entire trek can be completed in just a day.
The adventurous Naneghat trek takes you through a mountain pass located amid the majestic Western Ghats. It’s better to reach the base village the night before the trek so that you can start early in the morning. After sleeping over the night, start your trek the next day at around 7 am. It will take you 2 to 3 hours to reach the top, depending on your speed. After reaching the top, what you get is a bird’s eye view of the entire region. Click some pictures, soak in the view and descend back. You can also pack some food that you can enjoy upon reaching the top. The trek is easy to moderate and can be attempted by people of different age groups.
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Do not forget to visit the famous cave that has inscriptions in Brahmi script. These inscriptions are dating back to somewhere between the 2nd and the 1st century BCE. The inscriptions have a Vedic connection and are said to be associated with the Satavahana dynasty era.
Naneghat is a perfect amalgamation of history, culture, natural beauty, and adventure.
Do not forget to carry a first aid kit for the trek. Also, hiring a tour guide is a must, and you’ll have to pay separate charges for the hike.
There are a few things that you must carry to the trek to avoid any uneasiness.
- Id Proof
- A Rucksack or a bag to keep your belongings
- Water Bottle
- Proper Trekking Shoes
- Raincoat
- Common Medicines
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight/Torch
If you want a better view of the surroundings from the top, it is advisable to carry binoculars. Carrying a camera will ensure that you click some memorable pictures during the adventurous trek.
It is one such trek that is best enjoyed in groups. You can take your meals from the base and enjoy them with your friends at the top.
