Overview
Tikona Fort, or locally known as The Vitandgad, was used as a watchtower and stands at a height of 3600 feet from the ground. From the top of the fort, one can see eight other forts. The fort's name is derived from its triangular shape, and the trek is ideal for beginners. It usually takes about an hour to reach the top of the fort at a normal pace. Tikona Fort is a major tourist attraction near Lonavala, with thousands of visitors every year. The monsoon season is the most popular time to visit as rainy clouds, cool winds, and steep terrain add to the excitement and beauty of the place.
Essential information about Tikona Fort trek:
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Difficulty level
- The difficulty level of the Tikona Fort trek ranges from easy to medium, depending on your experience level. -
Time taken
- Beginner trekkers take about an hour to summit the fort, while locals who frequently trek up and down take only 25-30 minutes. -
Route
- The initial route is surrounded by dense forest, with random rocks along the trek and a well-defined path from start to end. At certain points, you may need to stretch your legs higher, and the stairs leading to the main gate entrance are steep and have a rope for support. -
Viewpoints
- Several viewpoints exist between the Tikona Fort trek route. During the Tikona Fort trek, you can enjoy stunning views of Pawna Lake, Lohgad Fort, Visapur Fort, Rajgad Fort, Tung Fort, Sinhagad Fort, Torna Fort, and the lush green mountains, especially during the monsoon season.
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Risk
- Tikona Fort trek has significant risk attached to it as some part of the trek is very steep while some are very narrow and don't have any railing or support. In monsoons, the route gets wet and slippery, so be careful while moving forward.
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Foods
- There are some small stalls at certain checkpoints where you can enjoy a cup of tea, drink lemon water, eat roasted corn, Maggie and small snacks -
Network availability
- There was almost a full cellular network, even at the highest point of around 3600 feet at Tikona Fort. You can easily make or receive calls and browse internet
Good things:
- Ample parking space available for bikes and cars
- Route is well-defined and easy to follow
- Good cellular network availability, even at the top
- Breathtaking view from the top
- Roads are well-maintained and easily accessible, surrounded by the serene natural beauty of mountains
Not-so-good-things:
- Trek may seem easy for expert trekkers
- Trekking in summer may get hot. Also, there are only a handful of shed areas on the fort
- Not many food options are available, so bring your food and water
Tips/Suggestions:
- In the monsoon season, wearing shoes with a good grip is advisable as the path becomes slippery and has rough patches of rocks
- According to locals, Tikona Fort gets closed after 5 pm evening and reopens at 6 am morning, so plan your trip accordingly
- If you are taking your child on the trek, make sure to supervise them at all times, as some parts of the trail are exposed and dangerous
- Gets a bit crowded on Monsoon weekends
- The best time to visit Tikona Fort is from July to October and certain parts of winter
- If you are new to trekking, joining a trekking group or going with friends is recommended
- Avoid taking shortcuts and always follow the defined trek trail
- Emergency contact number at Tikona Fort is 02114-273036
Frequently Asked Questions:
Around 3600 ft
Yes. During the trek, you can spot a carving of Lord Hanuman and two Shiv temples, one in the middle of the trek and one at the peak of the fort.
For beginners, the trek takes around 1 hour, while intermediate and expert trekkers can finish it in 25-30 minutes.
The difficulty level ranges from beginner to medium, depending on the season.
The top of Tikona Fort has Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple.
Yes, there is ample safe parking space for cars and bikes at the base of Tikona Fort
Article by: Anshuman Yadav