‘Gang of Trekkers’ Complete Five-Day Marathon Trek, Scale 14 Forts Across Raigad District
Pune, 8th January 2026: Demonstrating exceptional endurance, discipline, and a strong commitment to fitness and heritage, a seven-member Pune-based trekking group, Gang of Trekkers, successfully completed a gruelling five-day marathon trek, scaling 14 historic forts across Raigad district during the Christmas holiday period.
Continuing their annual tradition, the team undertook a demanding schedule of continuous day-and-night trekking, covering nearly 750 kilometres by road and conquering a mix of moderately challenging forts within just five days.
The expedition commenced on Day One with the ascent of Irshal Fort near Irshalwadi—an area affected by the 2023 landslide tragedy—followed by Bhivgad Fort near Gaurkamat village in the Karjat region. On Day Two, the trekkers scaled four forts in Roha taluka: the towering Avchitgad, Birwadi Fort, Ghosalgad, historically used to monitor Konkan trade routes, and Talagad.
Day Three saw the team take on Kurdugad, known for its long approach routes and steep climbs, along with Mangad Fort, constructed to safeguard Rajgad, and Panhalghar Fort in Mangaon taluka. On the fourth day, the trekkers conquered three lesser-known but physically demanding forts in Mahad taluka—Songad Fort near the Gandharpale Caves, Daulatgad Fort near Dasgaon, and the steep Chambhargad, also known as Mahendragad, near Chambharwadi.
The expedition concluded on the fifth and final day with the ascent of Raigad Fort, the historic capital of Swarajya and a symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. On their return journey, the team also scaled Mriggad Fort in Sudhagad taluka late at night, navigating dense forests and rock-cut steps in near-total darkness.
The trekking team represented a wide age spectrum, comprising Class VII students Adya Bijgarni and Aradhya Chauthmal, Class X students Keerti Bijgarni and Srushti Khetri, engineering student Pranav Nesavankar, Vishram Kulkarni, Secretary of Nutan Mahila Vikas Shikshan Mandal, Kasegaon (Sangli), and group leader Advocate Samrat Rawte.
Through the expedition, the group promoted the message “Physical fitness through fort trekking,” highlighting how adventure sports can enhance physical health while fostering respect for Maharashtra’s rich historical legacy.
Speaking about the expedition, group leader Advocate Samrat Rawte said, “Forts are not merely historical structures; they are our living heritage. Such expeditions help build physical fitness along with discipline, confidence, and team spirit. Encouraging children to take up fort trekking at an early age is one of the key objectives of this mission.”
Notably, this marks the seventh consecutive year that the Gang of Trekkers has undertaken a marathon fort-trekking expedition during the Christmas vacation, consistently pushing physical limits while keeping Maharashtra’s fort heritage alive.
