Hatgadh fort

At a distance of 9 km from Saputara Bus Station and 80 km from Nashik, Hatgad Fort is an ancient fort located at Hatgad village in the Nashik district of Maharashtra near Saputara. Situated on Saputara – Nashik Road, it is a major trekking destination on the Gujarat – Maharashtra border and among the top historical places to visit as part of Saputara sightseeing packages.

Located at an altitude of 3,600 feet in the Sahyadri ranges, Hatgad Fort was built in the 17th century AD by the great Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Regarded as one of the prominent sightseeing places in Saputara, Hatgad Fort was built as a watchtower towards the Nashik area and the inner valleys of Gujarat. Officially managed and maintained by the Archeological Department of Maharashtra, this fort is a delightful destination for history buffs as well as trekkers.

A statue of Lord Ganesha is placed on the top of the fort. One can see a tombstone, a water tank, remnants of a mansion, dilapidated fort walls, and an arch-shaped structure inside the fort. The unique feature of Hatgadh is two reservoirs, named Jamuna and Ganga, which are the source of water for the villages located in the vicinity earlier. Tourists can enjoy beautiful views of the entire valley and Suragana Village from the top of the fort.

The only way to reach the fort is through trekking via a narrow rocky path. The route to the fort starts just near the Anando Restaurant in front of Club Mahindra Resort. It takes around an hour to reach the top of the fort from the parking place. It’s not advisable for kids and aged people as the trek is demanding.

How to get there

By Road: The town of Waghai is 51 km away. Ahmedabad: 409 km. Surat: 164 km. Mumbai: 250 km. Vadodara: 309 km. There are State Transport buses and private luxury coaches from Waghai and Ahmedabad. If you are coming by a private car, than National Highway might be quicker, but the state highway will offers a stunningly scenic drive.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Waghai, on the Billimora-Waghai narrow gauge section of the Western Railway. For those coming from Gujarat via Surat or Ahmedabad or even from Mumbai, Billimora is the more convenient rail head, and a direct bus service is available from there.

By Air: The nearest airport is Vadodara, 309 km away.