Most people who say “I am not a trekker” have simply started on the wrong fort. Pick a trail that is two hours of walking instead of six, on steps instead of loose rock, and the whole thing turns from an ordeal into a good day out.
These are the eight treks we send first-timers on, in the order we usually suggest them. Each one includes transport, meals, a certified trek leader and first-aid support, so the only thing you need to bring is a pair of shoes that grip.
Start here
1. Dronagiri Fort, Uran - ₹299
The gentlest trek we run and the cheapest. You reach it entirely by local train on the Nerul/Belapur-Uran line, the climb is a shaded coastal trail of about ninety minutes, and the top gives you Mumbai harbour, old Portuguese and Maratha ramparts and the Karanjeshwari Devi temple. If you have never trekked, start here.
Fitness needed: if you can climb four floors without stopping, you are ready.
Dronagiri Fort Day Trek →
2. Belapur Fort Heritage Walk - ₹299
Barely a climb at all - a heritage walk through a fort inside Navi Mumbai that passed between the Siddis, the Portuguese, the Marathas and the British. Half a day, no fitness required, and a good way to see whether you enjoy the history side of this.
3. Vasai Fort, Bassein - ₹299
The largest Portuguese fort on the Konkan coast - roofless churches, carved doorways and watchtowers across a huge walled compound in Palghar. Flat walking, excellent photographs, popular with families.
Your first real climb
4. Karnala Fort, Panvel
Under two hours up, almost entirely in shade, through the Karnala Bird Sanctuary to a thumb of basalt you can see from the highway. Short enough that nobody suffers, steep enough that it feels like a trek.
5. Tikona Fort, Maval
Closer to Pune than Mumbai, but worth the drive. Under an hour of climbing on broad steps to a triangular summit above Pawna Lake, with Tung, Lohagad and Visapur in view. The trek we most often recommend to families.
6. Shivneri, Chavand & Kukdeshwar, Junnar
Three places in one day, and still beginner-friendly. Shivneri - where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born - is climbed on built stone steps through seven gateways. Chavand adds a flight of rock-cut steps with iron railings. The day closes at the ancient Kukdeshwar temple by the Kukadi river.
Shivneri, Chavand & Kukdeshwar Trek →
Ready for more
7. Sarasgad, Pali
Short but steep, on rock-cut steps rising behind the Ballaleshwar Ashtavinayak temple. Your legs will know about it the next day, which is rather the point once the easy forts stop feeling like a challenge.
8. Raigad Fort, Mahad
Roughly 1,400 stone steps to the capital of Hindavi Swarajya - the Raj Sabha, Jagdishwar Temple, the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Takmak Tok. It is a long day, but every step is built, and a ropeway exists if someone in your group would rather not climb. A fitting first “big” fort.
What beginners usually get wrong
- Shoes. Flat-soled sneakers on wet basalt cause more slips than anything else. Any shoe with a deep tread beats an expensive shoe with a smooth sole.
- Too little water. Carry 2 litres minimum. There are no shops on a fort.
- Starting too fast. The first twenty minutes decide how the rest of the climb feels. Walk slower than you think you should.
- Jeans. They are heavy, they do not dry, and they chafe. Track pants or quick-dry trousers instead.
- Skipping breakfast. Our batches feed you before the climb for a reason.
Once you have a couple of these behind you, the complete treks near Mumbai table shows what comes next - sorted nearest first, so you can work outwards as you get fitter.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the easiest trek near Mumbai for a first-timer?
Dronagiri Fort at Uran, ₹299. A gentle coastal trail reached entirely by local train, with no bus and no overnight travel.
How fit do I need to be for a beginner trek?
If you can walk 4-5 km on flat ground without stopping and climb four or five floors of stairs, you can do every trek on this list. Nothing here needs training.
Can I join a trek alone?
Yes, and plenty do. Over 60% of our regular community are solo women travellers. Groups are capped, a trek leader stays with the slower half, and most people leave with a few numbers saved.
Are these treks suitable for children?
Dronagiri, Belapur, Vasai, Tikona and Shivneri all work well for children of about ten and above with a parent along. Message us with your child’s age and we will tell you honestly whether a particular batch suits them.
What is included in the fee?
Transport from the listed pickup points, breakfast and lunch, certified trek leaders, first-aid support, forest entry permissions and group coordination. Personal expenses and insurance are not included.
What if I cannot finish the climb?
Nothing happens. A trek leader stays with you, you rest as long as you need, and if you decide to stop you wait at a safe point with someone from the team. Nobody is left alone and nobody is pushed.
Pick your first trek
Dates, prices and pickup points are on the upcoming treks page. If you want a second opinion on where to start, message us on WhatsApp at +91 8976874681 and tell us what walking you do in a normal week.
