The Bhimashankar hike, which is situated within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, is ideal for nature lovers who want to be surrounded by all aspects of the natural world. This trek is full of adventure and will take you as high as 929 meters.
This walk allows you to experience everything, from rock climbing to crossing streams. One of the twelve jyotirlingas in the nation, Gupt Bhimashankar, is even reached by the walk. It is much more intriguing because it is situated in the middle of a stream, beneath a rock!
The town of Khandas, which is 90 kilometers from Mumbai and 130 kilometers from Pune, is where the Bhimashankar route begins. The hike is suitable for beginners and may be finished in a single day.
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This article is your go-to resource for planning the Bhimashankar trek since it contains all the information you need!
The Trail of Bhimashankar
The starting point for the Bhimashankar trek is Khandas. There are two ways to complete the trek: Shidi Ghat and Ganesh Ghat. While Ganesh Ghat is reachable by novice hikers, the path via Shidi Ghat is better suited for more seasoned hikers.
After traversing Khandas villages, you will reach a bridge close to a T-junction after roughly 500 meters. The Shidi Ghat trail may be reached by the road on the left, while Ganesh Ghat can be reached via the road on the right.
Ghat Shidi
If you have been trekking before, take this path. The first part is a pleasant stroll surrounded by little hills and woodlands. The monsoon season’s rains have left the woodland a verdant expanse. You will reach a stream crossing about 20 minutes into the walk. Although this section of the trail is thrilling, be cautious of the water’s velocity during the hottest months of the year.
After crossing the stream, the trail climbs steadily for around forty-five minutes until you reach the first ladder. The ascent of the ladder is neither too simple nor too complex. You reach the second ladder a little distance after the first. Take it slow and steady as you ascend these ladders. Rainwater can cause the metal to become slick.
You will see a cave where you can take a little break at the top of the second ladder. Enjoy the sights of the valley below for a moment. You will see the hills surrounding you and the thick forest cover, which creates a beautiful scene.
The third ladder begins just past this cave. As with the first two, take care as you up the ladder to prevent getting hurt. You will reach the rock portion of this trail after ascending this staircase.
Because it requires ascending a steep rock with a considerable elevation, this section of the trail can be challenging. To improve your grip and balance, climb on all fours. Although it is not required, a rope might be useful when climbing this section. It’s crucial to use caution when walking on the rocks because they might become slick during the monsoon season.
You’ve reached the halfway point once you’ve climbed the rock. Here, the trail joins the one that leads from Ganesh Ghat. There are a few stores here that sell drinks and food. Before continuing on, stop here and eat a little.
Ghat Ganesh
The track is considerably simpler to follow if you are trekking via Ganesh Ghat. The first stretch following the T-junction passes through a thick forest with verdant greenery all around. After an hour of a slow climb through this terrain, you reach a meadow. Savor the views of the surrounding hills, where the mist and low-lying clouds add to the scenery’s charm.
The Gupt Bhimashankar Trail
To the right of the shrine at the summit is where the path to Gupt Bhimashankar starts. Behind the temple, a trail runs alongside the creek. As the trail returns to the woodland, arrows are used to clearly mark the directions. This trail splits after one kilometer. From here, there are two paths that go to Gupt Bhimashankar. Before leaving, observe the presence of one of the twelve jyotirlingas here and, if you’d like, offer prayers.
Decline
The return trip follows the same path until it reaches the midway point. There is little possibility of getting lost because the path is clearly defined and splits out from here. After passing a few huts, you must continue on the left-hand trail.
Before reaching a tar road, this walk will lead you through meadows and woods. You may reach the T-junction where you began the hike by walking 500 meters down this tar road. Here, you can discover shared jeeps and cars to return to Karjat or Neral.
