My first visit to Tandulwadi fort was an experimental trek. Often hear about this trekking destination near Mumbai. As it was a new route and a new fort to conquer on a week day it was just two of us that set out. This was one winter morning we reached Saphale western railway line with the train service now extended till Dahanu those trekkers living along the western railway definitely have something to Cheer. As forts in Palghar and Saphale are now just a hop skip and jump.  The train changing at Virar or taking the Surat passenger is history.

Some of the books that I had referred to before we started this trek did mentioned a trek from the railway station till the village. Approximately around 90 minutes of walking. Tandulwadi is also the name of the base village. Maybe that is why it is called Tandulwadi fort. As we walked out from the station we had breakfast and took a auto rickshaw ride till the base village. On inquiring it was know that there are regular buses from Saphale railway station till Tandulwadi base village every one hour till 11:00 am. After that the frequency is every two hours mostly irregular.

The approach to the fort is after the houses from the main road where we got off the rickshaw. The best is to remember the local Gram Panchayat office.  Follow the lane that take you into the village and you may meet some soma school kids playing hopscotch or a local village at the hand pump. Ask anyone and thou shall be guided to the right path.

There two known paths for Tandulwadi fort trek

• Left way steep – rating 5.5 on a scale of 10
• Right way medium steep – rating 5 on a scale of 10

Left way is very simple and quick route as one reached the plateau keep the initial first mount to your left continue walking. A walking route is also visible from the plateau. We continue walking on the cattle trot gain height rather quickly. The view is simply awesome from your first halt we could see Saphale town and if I am not mistaken we could also see Palghar. Moving closer to summit we crossed an old water tank which is now completely destroyed. With boulders and mud now filled in the tank. Keeping the tank on our left hand side we continue walking and reach a Col. A group of 7 people can stand hear easily.  We take a right from here and continue walking along the ridge. In the next 5 minutes we could see the last broken ruins of the fort wall.

Exploring the fort would take not more than 30 minutes as most of it is all in ruins. The famous seven water tank cluster is still visible. Lack of care has resulted in the tanks being in depleted state.  While descending we decided to take the Right way route. We came upon another water tank. Exploring the area around we spotted two hidden water tanks from above. Opposite this dry water tank one can still seen a small section of the old fort wall. The descend route is not very well marked and seems not used often.  We checked the hidden tanks, there was water is it that too in December. The water of these tanks is not portable. The route ends on a back of the huge plateau. Close to 8 minutes of walking is required on the plateau before we come upon the junction where the route on the left goes down to the village and the route on the right will take you back to Tandulwadi fort.

Treks and Trails disclaimer / Important Note for Tandulwadi fort trek.

Wild animal spotting possible. Wildflowers will offer you a grand welcome during monsoon. The above information should only be used as a reference. Treks and Trails suggest please check with experts and locals before embarking on a trek.