Type                                                Ratangad is Hill fort.   

Difficulty level                                Ratangad is an easy and undulating to trek.

Height                                             Ratangad fort is 4250 feet( 1192 Meter) above sea level.

Base village / District / Taluka      Ratanawadi / Ahmednagar/ Akole / Maharashtra, India.

Ratangad a 400 year old fortress at a height of 4250ft, according to old stories additionally one of the most loved fortresses of Shivaji Maharaj. Ratangad was caught by Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle and was one of his top choices The Wilson dam and Arthur Lake, Kalsubai Peak.
The Amruteshwar sanctuary and the Randha Falls - the district in the Sahyadris encompassing Ratangad is genuinely a little heaven, a mystery well kept, and Ratangad valid to its name is similar to a gem in its superb crown.

Ratangad has a characteristic rock crest with a depression in it at the top which is called "Nedhe" or 'Opening of the Needle'. The fort has four entryways Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan and Trimbak. It additionally has numerous wells on the top. The base town Ratanwadi has an Amruteshwar sanctuary which is well known for its carvings.

The military building made strong against attack is starting point for the small river Pravara/Amrutvahini. The Bhandardara dam (Arthur dam) is based on this waterway. The first attraction at Ratanwadi is the Amruteshwar sanctuary going once again to the Hemadpanti Era - generally from the eighth hundred. 

The base town Ratanwadi is approached by watercraft from Bhandardara.   By boat, it is a 6 km go with quick delicate steps and further it is a 4 km short slow walk till Ratanwadi. There is a Ganesh sanctuary in a little give in. There is an alternate 1 greater hole enough open to do a kind act around 20 individuals. Rani Mahal is a structure of which just some broken dividers are remaining.
The trek to Ratangad from Ratanwadi, base town of Ratangad trek, would take around 3 to 4 hours. It's a plain and easy journey and the moving (in a wavy pattern) trail will take you through little fields and thick forests by the Pravara stream.
You may need to cross the river more than once relying upon the trail taken. Towards the end of the journey there are two stepping stools one after the other. Be watchful while traveling up as one of the trails to Harishchandragad rather than Ratangad.

Time to reach the top

3-4 hours from the base village Ratanwadi.

Minimum Duration

1-2 days.

Best time to visit the fort

June to February, Better to go post-monsoons if you want to concentrate on photography.

Water Availability

Yes there are many cisterns on the fort which have water till the end of the winter season and starting of summer season.

Accommodation Availability

There is a bigger cave spacious enough to accommodate about 20 people.

‘Nedhe’, smaller cave in which a Ganesh temple is located and bigger cave nearby, Structure of Rani mahal.

Way from Pune to Ratangad fort

Pune to Ratangad fort By Bus

From Pune there are direct ST (State Transport) buses available from Shivajinagar to Rajuri (Ahmednagar), From Rajuri there are local transport are available to reach at Shendi village, from here there are taxi available to reach at Ratanwadi village.

Pune to Ratangad fort By Train

From Pune junction there are trains available to Ahmednagar, from Ahmednagar there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport available to Rajuri, and then follow the same route from Rajuri mentioned above.

Pune to Ratangad fort By Road

Route of Pune to Ratangad fort

Pune - Lonikand - Shikrapur - Ranjangaon - Shirur - Ahmednagar - Rajuri - Shendi - Ratanwadi - Ratangad fort. 

Way from Mumbai to Ratangad fort

Mumbai to Ratangad fort By Bus

From Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses or trains available to Igatpuri, distance between Mumbai to Igatpuri are 121 kilometers, from here there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport available to Bhandardara or Shendi village, from here there are local tranport available to Ratanwadi village.

Mumbai to Ratangad fort By Train

From Mumbai there are trains available to Igatpuri, from Mumbai to Igatpuri is around 121 kilometers, and then follow the same route from Igatpuri mentioned above.   

Mumbai to Ratangad fort By Road  

Route of Mumbai to Ratangad fort.

Mumbai - Naupada - Padgha - Shahapur - Khardi - Kasara - Ghoti - Bhandardara - Ratanwadi - Ratangad fort.

Pravara River
Pravara River starts in Ratangad. The neighborhood legend has it that Agatya rishi think about and performed regret in Ratangad. At that place two drops of "Amrut" was dropped and water began streaming out from Ratangad again and again bringing about the stream Pravara as a result the name 'Amrutvahini'.

Lake Bhandardara

Ratanwadi is the base town of Ratangad journey however Bhandardara with great stay choices to Ratangad Journey. Ratanwadi is around 25 kms by street however one can also take a raft over the Bhandardara Lake to reach Ratanwadi. Ratangad journey can be an energizing outside action in the middle of a Bhandardara lake especially.