Kalavantin Durg: The World's Most Dangerous Fortress, Raigad District of Maharashtra, India.

Kalavantin Durg is a 2,250 ft (686 m) high summit located in the Western Ghats, near the Prabalgad fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantinicha Sulka, or Kalavantin Pinnacle; alternative transliterations include Kalawantin, Kalavati, and Kalavanti. It is a popular trekking destination. 

 

 

 

There is a series of steps leading to the top of the pinnacle, but little is known about the history of structure. According to local guides, it was built for a queen called Kalavantin in the 15th century, around the same time as the neighbouring Prabalgad.
The trek to the top of the Kalavantin Durg is considered one of the most challenging ones in the Western Ghats. The summit is accessible via a 3 km hike from the Thakurwadi village in Karjat taluka. After Prabalmachi village (2 km from Thakurvadi), the hike route diverges into two paths: the shorter one towards Kalavantin Durg, and the longer one towards Prabalgad fort. The route to the Kalavantin top is a roughly 60-degree incline, and involves climbing rock-cut steps that are as high as 2 feet.

The trek is punctuated with tea and snack stalls, followed by breakfast point that is nestled at the lower plateau of Prabalmachi, the midway hamlet base nestled at an elevation of 390 metres (1279.5 feet) above sea level. From this point forward, it’s quite a precipitous path, and any rainfalls gives it a whole new level of risk as the path gets slippery, thus requiring the trekkers to cling on to the rocks and roots of trees lining the way. At some points, the path demands scrambling up the steep slopes and over the rocks.

The main challenge of the Kalavantin Durg trek is the path back down, filled with boulders and slippery terrain. While descending, follow the narrow trail leading to Prabalgad Fort, another must-see spot, which takes just over an hour or so to reach. The gradient is tricky, steep and rocky, so it is advisable to have a professional trekker along.