Road Trip to Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

A visit to Madhe Ghat was on the plans for quite some time. In fact, the first time when i heard about Madhe Ghat was when i saw an article saying that a new route was planned cutting through Madhe. This route, when completed, would become the shortest across the mountain range and would make places such as Raigad much closer. Then when i searched for this area, i saw that it had a huge waterfall.

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

We always go on a trip every independence day and this time(2013), it was to Madhe Ghat. I didn’t manage a big group, so it was just us and Sunil’s family in two Xylos.

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Madhe Ghat Waterfall Trip

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Route to Madhe Ghat from Pune(Magarpatta): There are two options you can choose from. 1) Go on a round trip like we did: Pune – Khadakwasla – Sinhagad – Pabe Ghat – Velhe – Madhe Ghat – Velhe – Nasrapur Phata – Pune 2) go and return by the same route Pune – Nasrapur – Velhe – Madhe and back through the same route. Both the maps are given below.

The round trip route we chose was amazing. Usually people go to Sinhagad and return. This route goes around Sinhagad, takes a left and cuts across the range to reach the route coming from Nasrapur. Both the routes are of the same distance. Take this round trip if you love nature. The roads are narrow, but not bad.

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Madhe Ghat Waterfall route

After you take a left beyond Sinhagad, you will go for a while and then cross Pabe Ghat. This is a beautiful pass. In fact, you will criss-cross multiple ranges and you will be climbing up and down them. I think i counted almost 7 such ranges on the whole trip. Pabe Ghat is a beautiful stretch surrounded by green mountains on all sides.

Pabe Ghat on the way to Madhe Ghat

Pabe Ghat on the way to Madhe Ghat

Pabe Ghat on the way to Madhe Ghat

Pabe Ghat on the way to Madhe Ghat

After you cross Velhe, you will see Torna on your left. Just after this, there was a small waterfall by the side of the road. This was an opportunity for the kids (and us) to spend some time on the water.

Torna fort on the way to Madhe Ghat

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Waterfall on the way to Madhe Ghat

After a few more pass crossings, you finally reach a turn on the road, where the road to the right goes towards Madhe ghat. There are sign boards. Also, you should see tons of vehicles parked haphazardly on the road. Getting a parking spot was a nightmare. From the parking lot, there is a kuchcha stretch of around a km to reach the top of the waterfall. Some people on two wheelers had lot of fun trying to navigate this slippery stretch. So, technically you have to walk for around a km one way. And if it rains (as it was was when we went), it becomes even more fun (or worse) depending on the way you see it).

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Way to madhe ghat waterfall

After this walk, you reach a plateau which is the top of the fall. You can walk right unto the edge from where the fall begins. The 270 deg view from this plateau is nothing short of amazing. What you are looking at is the entire Varandha range side-on. You can actually climb down to the bottom of the fall (not suitable with kids). Notice the people at the bottom on the last photo below.To get a full view of the fall, you have to walk a bit further to the next cliff which faces the falls. The mist was playing hide and seek with us throughout the 30 mins we were there near the falls. The rain and the mist made it a memorable photographic experience.

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

Madhe Ghat Waterfall

We came back through the Nasrapur-NH4 route. It was a wonderful independence day road trip!

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15 Responses

  1. Early September should be good. Late sep, the flow will not be so much

  2. Sheelabhadra says:

    Can we plan a trip in September?? Will the falls be in full flow??

  3. The roads are regular internal roads, but good enough for all vehicles to ply. A mini bus is also ok, as there is ample parking space. Aug is a good time considering the recent rains. The falls are already in good flow (update from a friend who visited recently)

  4. Vinay says:

    Hello Raghu, Thanks for this wonderful resource you’ve put up!

    I wanted your suggestion whether this is a good place to visit this month, in August? Just checking whether we need to wait for more rain. I am planning a group trip, and we’re enthusiastic people so wouldn’t mind the small hike and drive through forested areas.

    Also, how were the roads when you went there? That’ll help decide whether we should carry our own 4-wheelers, or even a mini-bus should do well?

    Thanks!

  5. Swapnil says:

    We took a trip of 80-90 people (2 full size buses) to this place on 19th July especially looking at the description from you, Rajaram. The place is very refreshing and unexplored. We thoroughly enjoyed the time spent there. Thank you for the detailed blog and recommendation.

  6. Sandeep Jain says:

    After checking this suggest, I visited Madhe Ghat on 18th Jul. Place is exactly as it is described here…. very beautiful and offbeat place. Thanks to Rajaram for recommendation… it helped.

  7. Ketan Chavan says:

    Such nice place

  8. ramya says:

    The 270 deg view of the falls through your lens is beautiful, I am amazed at the unending beauty our country offers which are untouched, thanks for sharing it out for people who have never seen that side of the world.

  9. Kaustubh says:

    There is a story why the name “Madhe Ghat” …
    There was an aide of Shivaji Maharaj – Tanaji Malusare. He laid his life while fighting a battle to recapture Fort Sinhagad (called as Fort Kondhana in those days). His dead-body was taken as a Funeral Procession from Sinhagad to his village “Umarath” in Konkan through this Ghat. “Madha” in Marathi means a “Dead Body”. Hence, the name Madhe Ghat.

    There is one more route from Panshet village by the side of Panshet Dam backwaters that reaches Velhe and then to Madhe Ghat.

  10. Anuj says:

    Nice place and wonderful Pics. I will plan for this shortly… !

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