Katraj to Singhagad Night Trek : Most adventurous trek around Pune

Being an adventure enthusiast, I am always in search of new places and thrilling experiences. I shifted to Pune in 2017 and was working with Adventure Pulse. I didn't like the city initially, as Pune as a city does not have any good places to visit. But, once I started trekking around Pune, I fell more and more in love with this city. One of the main reasons was the ample opportunities for trekking in and around the city. Among the many amazing trekking routes is the Katraj to Sinhagad Night Trek (K2S).

The night trek from Katraj to Sinhagad was on my 'to-do list' for a very long time. Finally, I got a chance to not only do this trek but also lead a group of trekkers with the amazing team of Adventure Pulse.

K2S Night Trek:

Location: Katraj to Sinhgad, Pune, Maharashtra
Best time to do the trek: Winter
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Level: Moderate to Difficult
Starts From: Katraj Old Tunnel, Pune
Ends at: Sinhagad Fort Road, Pune

Katraj to Sinhagad Night Trek route starts from the old Katraj tunnel and ends at the Sinhagad fort road head. It crosses about 13 hills covering a distance of almost 13 km. It is among the toughest treks available in the Sahyadris mountain range. To cover the trekking distance of almost 13 km is a challenging task because of the steep trails and multiple hills in between. The trek offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, especially on a full moon night. The views are so surreal and the sunrise makes it all worth the hard work to climb these hills.

We reached the start point after a short drive from Pune. After a basic introduction and briefing, we started this exciting adventure. As we climbed the base of the first hill, we could see a stream of tiny lights from the torches of other groups ahead of us. The weather was pleasantly chilly and the moon was shining bright in the clear sky.

After reaching a high point, we could see the city lights from Pune city as well as the vehicles on the distant roads. For the next hour, we walked on the same trail above the tunnel with the road and lights visible in the distance. Eventually, the trail took us on the other side of the hill and we could see hills and valleys all around us. The climb up the first hill was easy and everyone was comfortable walking on the narrow trails. Trekking at night, the full moon was flooding the trails with light. We could even trek without headlamps and torches. Atop of the hills, we spotted the famous red antenna tower light placed at Sinhagad Fort.

The blinking red light can be used for directional aid when someone loses their way. The descent from the first hill was comfortable and quick. As we moved further towards the other hills the trails became very steep and slippery at some parts. Some of the sections became quite hard to climb. However, with the support from fellow trekkers and my Adventure Pulse teammates, everyone managed to cross them. Our trek leader Samir Patham was leading the group and I stayed back with Sauraj Jhingan to assist the group members. We stayed in contact with each other through walkie talkie to ensure that everyone was walking on the right trail and did not get lost in the darkness.

It started getting colder and windier as we moved higher. Still, everyone kept moving at a steady pace. With the changing gradient of the terrain came the ever-increasing difficulty climbing it. But we mustered on.

As we were nearing the end of the trek, we took a final break halfway down a hill. We could hear the wind whistling as we rested on the slope, our legs stiff and tired. We had arranged snack boxes for the group members to keep them energized during this long hike. The snacks were a real savior and we quickly regained our energy because of them. The night, however, was getting ever colder and everyone was starting to show signs of sleep. Refueled and rested, we didn’t wait for too long and continued on our way.

As we continued onward from our snack break, we were facing our toughest challenge yet. The final three hills. For anyone who has done the K2S trek before, they know why it is one of the most challenging treks in the Sahyadris. A major reason for this is the last few hills.

The final three hills before the Sinhagad fort stand tall and majestic. They each have a very steep climb and following that, a very steep descent. Plus, we hadn’t slept all night so the thought of a warm and soft bed was looming over everyone's head. Some members were also exhausted from 8 hours of constant trekking and their legs were ready to give up any second.

When you add all of these together, you get the toughest part of the Katraj to Sinhagad night trek. Undeterred, we continued. We were constantly motivating the group and I did my best to keep them awake and energized. The group members helped each other and we finally climbed what seemed to be an endless slope. We had successfully conquered the mighty K2S trek!

Around 06:00 am we reached on the top of the last hill. The much-awaited sunrise painted the sky with different shades of orange and yellow. It was one of the most magnificent sunrises I have ever seen in my life! After descending from the last hill, we finished the trek near the Sinhagad fort road head. I am happy that I was able to successfully finish this difficult and challenging night trek. It was a great experience to meet like-minded people and trek with them. A special mention to the wonderful team of Adventure Pulse for allowing me this opportunity to lead this trek and making it a memorable experience.

I have listed out few important points which one should keep in mind before doing the Katraj to Sinhagad night trek. For those who want to push their limits and have a passion for mountains, this night trek is the one for you.

Things to keep in mind during Katraj to Sinhagad Night Trek:

• Although anyone with average fitness can do this K2S trek, it is very important to be in a good shape. People who are regular with cycling, gym, swimming or any other sports can easily complete the trek without any difficulties.
• For all those who are lazy and not regular with any of this, “consistency is the key”. However, small treks before doing the K2S night trek are advisable.
• During the trek, you will realize the importance of water and hydrating yourself.
• Carry at least 2 liters of water with you as it is very important to keep your body hydrated throughout the trek. Glucose water or Electral is the best way to boost up the energy.
• Try to set a pace while walking. Do not walk very fast and exhaust your body.
• Sleep well during the day and eat light for the dinner so that you don’t feel sleepy while walking throughout the night. A good music playlist or conversations with fellow trekkers helps a lot!
• Enjoy the surroundings, set small targets, take short breaks and click photos whenever possible.
• Since it is a night trek it is very important to wear proper clothing. You should avoid wearing short pants as the trail also passes through dense vegetation. Long trekking pants help to avoid getting hurt by dry grass and thorns as well as protect you from insect bites.
• Carry a jacket if you are trekking during the winter as it is quite windy.
• Trekking shoes play a major role as the trails are very difficult in some sections. The trail keeps changing from slippery rocks to soil and grassy patches, so choose a comfortable pair of shoes. Ankle length shoes like Forclaz 100/500 are the best option.
• Since there isn’t a well-defined trail, it is important to do Katraj to Sinhagad night trek under the guidance of expert guides like Adventure Pulse.

Please share your feedback and any questions you have regarding the K2S night trek in the comments. I will be happy to answer them.

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