The other side of Matheran-Trekking the Peb Fort

Monsoons have always been my favorite season. It means greenery, it means transformation, new growth and more importantly it means start of trekking season for me. After trekking Harishchandra Gad, Nakhind, Ganpati Garad in this season, the next destination for me was Peb. On 15 August I decided to celebrate my freedom on this fort. Peb is located in the Matheran range in the Raigad district at a height of 2100 ft.

Peb fort lies between Panorama Point (Matheran) and Nakhind. It is very close to famous hill station - Matheran. Peb is also known by name called “Vikatgad”for its supposed shape of the Elephant Headed God, 'Ganesh'. The original name Peb is because of temple of goddess "Pebi" at the base.

When I announced about this trek to my friends many of them were affirmative on joining, but as is with treks only the passionate few who can wake up in the wee hours on a holiday join. So cancellations kept coming and finally we were six of us ready for Mission Peb.

We reached neral railway station at 8 am. One of our co-trekker who was joining in from pune missed his train and so we had to wait for about 2 hours for him at Neral station. This gave me the opportunity to discuss about the trek with the localites and understand the route. I asked few local shopkeepers who said that it is a difficult trek and we should not try it in monsoons. The whole thing about people saying its difficult, friends cancelling at the last moment, a co trekker missing his train made me think whether we should really go ahead. But somehow I couldn’t let it go unless giving it a try. Also, my experiences in life told me that the things that started with inhibitions and pit falls have managed to give me a wonderful experience in the end. 

Then I met couple of old men who initially told me that I should not be doing this trek but then on saying that since we had already reached Neral we intend on giving it a try, they were then kind enough to tell us a simpler route and this is what I would like to suggest for trekkers.

Before the trek, I read lot of blogs on this trek but found them either mentioning it too easy or too difficult. There are many paths to reach the summit of Peb, but the one we took was thrilling, exciting and safe. 

From Neral station (that’s couple of station before Karjat) take a shared taxi to Waterpipe station. This is enroute Dasturi naka where you alight for Matheran. The first station is zhummapati followed by Waterpipe station. We were not aware on how long the walk would be and decided to walk the distance till waterpipe station. We walked for about an hour till Zhummapati and realized that it would take us another one hour to walk till water pump hence we took a taxi.

From Waterpipe, you will see the toy rail track; take the track (turning right). There is the NM 134 sign board. You will see similar sign boards. All along the track you will find the hill to your left and the valley to your right. From here you walk on the track for nearly an hour till you cross NM 158. Once you cross this you will see a gate with a bell hanging on it, from here you have to descend into the valley.

point from where you descend into the valley

Just as you start descending you will see a small natural cavity in the rocks where you have an idol of Lord Ganesha.

When you start descending at first few steps you will feel that it would be a tough task ahead, but believe you me it’s not as difficult as it looks. Just be a bit cautious on the rock patches as they become slippery during monsoon.

After walking for some time you will see a ridge that connects Matheran to Peb. This is a beautiful sight with valley on the sides, wind gushing in and fog covering the landscape intermittently. 

When we reached the ridge, it started raining giving it a finishing touch. The beautiful quote by Greg child came to my mind

"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb." 

Once you cross this you will have to take the path ahead till it reaches the ladder point. Another highlight of the trek. There are two ladders. Going from one ladder to another will test your agility. 

Once you cross the ladder you will reach a plateau. Take right to reach a temple of Datta Maharaj. From here you have to climb again for say 200 m to reach the temple that has the padukas of Swami Samarth.

This is where we had food that we had carried. It was simply amazing to sit at the top with strong wind blowing and to see the entire valley below you. With photo sessions done, we were ready for our return journey. Overall the trek is 2 hours from waterpipe station. Neral railway station to Waterpipe station takes maximum half an hour.

I rate the grade of the trek under two factors viz. difficulty and endurance. As far as grade of this trek is concerned, I would say it is easy endurance wise and difficulty wise its medium.

I would like to conclude with the following quote by Jonathan Waterman,

“…by bringing myself over the edge and back, I discovered a passion to live my days fully, a conviction that will sustain me like sweet water on the periodically barren plain of our short lives.”

Happy Living! Happy trekking! Cheers to Life.