Karnala Fort Exciting Trek – 5 Important things you need to know
Karnala fort, as the name suggests, is located inside the Karnala Bird Sanctuary near Panvel in Mumbai. The fort is also known as funnel fort. It is a small bird sanctuary comparatively; however one of the few sanctuaries closer to the city of Mumbai.
Karnala Fort trek is considered an ‘Easy to Medium-Grade’ trek and is a famous trek, especially during July – September because of the monsoons.
Located at 1,500 feet, it is a good trek for beginners as you can hike and witness the different species of birds in the fort region.
How to reach Karnala fort
Located only 12 kms from Panvel, getting to the fort is very easy compared to other forts around Mumbai.
One can board a train on the harbour line of Mumbai from Wadala/CST and get down at Panvel.
You can take a sharing or a private rickshaw from Panvel station to Karnala bird sanctuary. It will cost you anywhere between INR 150-300. (depending on your negotiation skills)
However, the best option is to take an ST bus, which takes approximately 20-30 mins to reach and will cost you INR 15.
You can also reach via your private vehicle; the distance from Mumbai is around 50 kms and will take around 90 mins to reach. Get Directions.
Note: There is a parking fee:
- Two-wheeler: INR 25
- Car: INR 100
- Bus: INR 150
Trek Route & How difficult is the trek.
Karnala Fort is a relatively simple trek because the trail is appropriately marked.
If the weather is sunny, it can get a bit tiring, and one might need to take breaks at regular intervals to finish the trek without any difficulties.
During rainfall, the trails tend to get slippery. You must wear good trekking shoes with a good grip.
The distance is 3-3.5 kms one way and can take anywhere between 2-2.5 hours one way depending on the fitness levels. You will come across 5 pit stops during the trek.
There is one more trail to reach the fort from the base, which is a bit difficult and is not marked; hence, One must take the regular trail, which is on the left side of the entrance and passes through a water pumphouse.
People of all ages can do this trek. You can do this on your own if you have an experience of trekking in the Sahyadris. Others must either go in groups or with a trekking group.
Prefer going for a trek with a group? We have curated a list of over 200 groups with their events, social media links, contact details, reviews, photos & much more.
Important Information
- There is an entry fee to enter the Karnala bird sanctuary of INR 30 for adults & INR 15 for children.
- You must deposit INR 200 for every plastic water bottle, which is refundable after finishing the trek.
- Here is the trek route on Ramblr; you can download the GPX file after logging in.
- The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is home to around 222 exotic birds in 12.11 square kilometres.
- Learn about the history of the fort.
Karnala Fort Trek Video
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Karnala Fort is located in Maharashtra, India. It was built in the 12th century and has a rich history. The fort changed hands several times over the centuries, with rulers such as the Devagiri Yadavas, the Tughlaq dynasty, and the Portuguese occupying it at various points in time.
In the 17th century, the fort came under the control of Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, who strengthened its fortifications. The fort played an important role in protecting the trade route between the ports of Mumbai and the interior regions of Maharashtra.
In the 18th century, the fort was captured by the British, who used it as a strategic location to keep an eye on the surrounding area. Today, the Karnala Fort is a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors coming to see its impressive ruins and enjoy the stunning views from the top of the fort.
Panvel is the nearest railway station to Karnala fort.
From Panvel station, you can take a sharing or a private rickshaw to Karnala bird sanctuary. It will cost you anywhere between INR 150-300.
However, the best option is to take an ST bus, which takes approximately 20-30 mins to reach and will cost you INR 15.
Travel Tshirts: Wear Your Wanderlust with Our Exclusive Collection
Step up your travel style with our carefully curated travel tshirts. Choose from 5 distinct designs that speak to the traveler in you. Click to shop and start your fashion journey!
Dhodap Fort | Nanemachi waterfall | Harishchandragad | Peb Fort | Jivdhan Fort | Mahuli Fort |Irshalgad | Sondai Fort | Salher Fort | Aadrai Jungle Trek | Ganpati Gadad | Korigad Fort | Tandulwadi | Garbett Plateau | Sudhagad Fort | Kataldhar Waterfall | Plus Valley | Mangi Tungi | Malanggad | Gorakhgad | Bhairavgad | Kohoj Fort | Rajgad | Ratangad | Bhimashankar Trek | Visapur Fort | Kalsubai Trek | Tikona Fort | Rajmachi Fort | Sandhan Valley | Kalavantin Durg | Andharban Trek | Harihar Fort | Kalu Waterfall
Did you like this trek guide for the Karnala Fort trek?
We have 100s more such guides on similar off-beat experiences & we send out such guides, offers, hidden gems, and trekking destinations weekly via email. Subscribe to our newsletter to get them directly into your inbox.
Raju Raut
January 18, 2024 at 1:46 pmPlease share group trekking schedule