Bhairavgad (Shirpunje) & Ghanchakkar Trek Guide: Rock-Cut Steps and a 1,350 m Summit
This is not a beginner’s trek, and that is the point. Bhairavgad of Shirpunje is reached by a flight of rock-cut steps carved straight into an exposed cliff face, and the ridge behind it runs up to Ghanchakkar, one of the highest points in the Sahyadris at roughly 1,350 m. Done together they make one of the most demanding and least crowded days in the Akole range — and on a clear post-monsoon morning, one of the most beautiful.
A word on the name first, because it causes real confusion: there are three forts called Bhairavgad in this part of Maharashtra — one at Moroshi near Malshej, one at Kothale, and this one at Shirpunje in Akole taluka, Ahmednagar district. They are different treks of different difficulty. This guide is about Shirpunje.
Quick facts
- Bhairavgad height: about 1,100 m (3,600 ft)
- Ghanchakkar height: about 1,350 m (4,430 ft) — among the highest summits in the range
- Base village: Shirpunje Khurd, Akole taluka, Ahmednagar district
- Grade: Difficult — exposed rock-cut steps, steep grass slopes, long day
- Duration: 7 to 9 hours for both summits
- Distance: roughly 180 km from Mumbai and 180 km from Pune
- Best season: October to February
- Nearby: Harishchandragad, Kalsubai, Ratangad, Bhandardara and Amruteshwar temple
The rock-cut staircase
The defining section of this trek is a near-vertical flight of steps cut into the rock face leading to Bhairavgad’s plateau. There is nothing technical about it in dry conditions — no climbing skill is needed — but it is genuinely exposed, with a long drop on one side and no natural handhold for stretches of it. It is the kind of thing that is entirely manageable with a rope fixed by an experienced lead and entirely unwise without one.
We fix a safety line on this section on every departure and take the group through it a few people at a time. If you have a strong fear of heights, this is the trek to be honest with yourself about before booking.
Ghanchakkar — the long ridge behind the fort
Most people stop at Bhairavgad. The reason to keep going is Ghanchakkar, the broad high plateau rising behind it. The traverse is a long walk on grass slopes with no technical sections but a lot of steady ascent, and the summit opens out into one of the widest views in the Sahyadris — Harishchandragad’s profile, the Alang-Madan-Kulang wall, Kalsubai, and the Bhandardara backwaters all visible from the same spot on a clear day.
The name is worth knowing: ghanchakkar loosely means going round in circles, which is what the plateau does to people in mist. There are no marked trails up there and the ground looks identical in every direction. Do not attempt the Ghanchakkar section in low visibility without someone who knows the route.
Route outline
- Shirpunje Khurd to the col — about 1.5 hours of steady climbing through fields and then open slope.
- The rock-cut steps — 30 to 45 minutes for a group, moving a few at a time with a fixed line.
- Bhairavgad plateau — water cisterns, the remains of fortification and a small shrine. Half an hour here.
- Traverse to Ghanchakkar — 2 to 2.5 hours of ascent across grass slopes and a broad ridge.
- Ghanchakkar summit — 30 to 45 minutes at the top.
- Descent — 2.5 to 3 hours back the way you came, including the steps.
Many groups do Bhairavgad alone as a shorter day of 5 to 6 hours. Adding Ghanchakkar turns it into a genuine full day and should only be attempted with an early start.
Best season
- October to November — the best window. The grass is still green from the rains, the air is clear, and the rock is dry enough for the steps to be straightforward.
- December to February — cold, dry and very clear. Excellent visibility from Ghanchakkar, though the grass has turned brown by then.
- Monsoon (June to September) — spectacular but risky. The rock-cut steps become slippery and the Ghanchakkar plateau is routinely socked in. We do not run this one in peak monsoon.
- Summer (March to May) — the slopes are completely exposed with no shade and no water on the route. Not recommended.
How to reach Shirpunje
From Mumbai: about 180 km. The usual route is Kasara, then Ghoti and Bhandardara, and on to Shirpunje Khurd. There is no practical public transport to the base for a day trek, so groups travel by private vehicle overnight and start walking at first light.
From Pune: about 180 km via Sangamner and Akole. Our Pune departures leave from Karve Nagar the previous night and reach the base village by morning.
For how this compares with everything else in reach, see our full lists of treks near Mumbai and treks near Pune. If you want something in the same area that is easier, Ratangad and Harishchandragad are both nearby and far more forgiving.
What to carry
- Three litres of water. There is no reliable water source on the route and the cisterns on the fort are not drinkable.
- Proper trekking shoes with hard grip — sports shoes are not adequate on the steps
- A windcheater; the Ghanchakkar plateau is cold and windy even when the base village is warm
- Gloves, which make the rock-cut section much more comfortable
- A head torch, because long days here often finish in fading light
- Packed food and electrolytes; there is nothing to buy after the base village
Safety notes
- Do not attempt the rock-cut steps without a fixed rope and someone who has done them before.
- Turn back from Ghanchakkar if mist closes in. The plateau is disorienting and people genuinely get lost up there.
- Start by 6.30 am at the latest if you intend to do both summits.
- Mobile network is unreliable across the whole route. Tell someone your plan before you start.
- This is a remote area. The nearest medical help is well over an hour away, which is reason enough to go with a group carrying first aid.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the Bhairavgad Shirpunje trek?
It is graded difficult. The climb to the col is strenuous but ordinary; what makes it hard is the exposed rock-cut staircase near the top, which has a significant drop beside it. No climbing technique is required, but a fixed safety rope and an experienced lead are. It is not a suitable first trek.
Which Bhairavgad is this — Moroshi, Kothale or Shirpunje?
Shirpunje, in Akole taluka of Ahmednagar district, near Bhandardara. Bhairavgad at Moroshi near Malshej Ghat and Bhairavgad at Kothale are entirely separate forts with different routes and different grades. Check which one a trek is actually visiting before you book.
How high is Ghanchakkar?
Around 1,350 m (about 4,430 ft), which makes it one of the highest summits in the Sahyadri range — not far below Kalsubai, the highest point in Maharashtra. It is a broad grass plateau rather than a peak, with very wide views in every direction on a clear day.
Can I do Bhairavgad without Ghanchakkar?
Yes, and plenty of groups do. Bhairavgad on its own is roughly a 5 to 6 hour round trip and still includes the rock-cut steps, which are the highlight. Adding Ghanchakkar roughly doubles the walking and needs a start before dawn.
Can this trek be done in the monsoon?
We do not recommend it and we do not run it in peak monsoon. The rock-cut steps become slick, and the Ghanchakkar plateau sits in cloud for days at a time with no trail markings to navigate by. October onwards, once the rain has stopped but the hills are still green, is the right time.
Is there water on the route?
No reliable source. The cisterns on the Bhairavgad plateau hold water in season but it is not safe to drink untreated. Carry three litres per person from the base village, and more in warm weather.
Is it safe if I am afraid of heights?
Be honest with yourself here. The staircase is safe with a fixed rope and a lead, and people with mild nervousness get through it fine. But it is sustained and exposed, and turning back partway is awkward for you and for the group. If heights genuinely frighten you, pick a different fort — Ratangad and Harishchandragad are in the same area and far gentler.
Trek Bhairavgad and Ghanchakkar with us
We run this one as a guided group trek with a fixed safety line on the rock-cut section, transport from Mumbai and Pune, meals and first aid. See the Bhairavgad (Shirpunje) trek page for the next departure, or check all our upcoming trek plans. Questions about whether this one is right for you? WhatsApp us on +91 8976874681 and ask — we would rather talk you into an easier fort than have you stuck halfway up the steps.
