Jawlya
Range
Saatmaal
Altitude
1235m
Difficulty
Medium
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About Jawlya
Rawlya-Jawlya: Twin forts on a massive plateau in the Saatmaal mountain range. Both are accessible from Mumbai/Nashik for a day's halt. Rawlya is a tough climb—visit it first, then Jawlya.
Best time to visit
When to Go
History & Significance
"Rola-Jola" Forts: A Battleground of Empires! Won by Aliwardi Khan for Shahajahan in 1626, then Shivaji Maharaj in 1670. Marathas thwarted Dilerkhan's siege in 1671. After Mahabat Khan and the Peshwas, the British captured it in 1818. Captain Briggs devastated the walls and steps in 1819.
Places to See
Fort Highlights: Two routes to Jawlya. Route 1: straight from the hamlet to the ridge. Find incomplete caves right, then rock-cut steps (use caution!) leading to the main rock entrance. Note the scripture on the right wall. Inside: a rock-cut cave and a water tank. Summit details: From the fort summit, one route leads to a small hill/other end of the fort. Descending left reveals pillared water tanks and two rock-cut tanks (water is not potable). Also features a horse stable area. Viewpoints: See Forts Dhodap, Ikhara, Kanhergad, Kanchana, and Indrai. Summit Hamlet: Find Tiwari's hamlet (4-5 houses, used for cattle), a water tank, and a tomb. Staying overnight here is highly recommended!
Journey & Transport
Time to Reach
2 hrs to Plateau from Babapur & Mulane-Bari.
How to Reach
Get ready to trek! Start 3 km from Babapur (on the Nashik-Vani-Babapur-Mulane route) where you’ll find a cleft. It’s a 30-min drive/walk to this cleft from Vani. At the cleft: right path leads to Rawlya-Jawlya; left path leads to Markandya. Take the well-used right path on the mountain ridge. It's a 30-min ascent before the path turns left, then right, taking you to the plateau (about 1 hour total from the cleft). **Important:** Rawlya fort will be visible, but head to the cleft between Rawlya and Jawlya hills. The route has dense vegetation patches, taking 45 minutes to reach the base from the plateau. **Caution:** The plateau has multiple routes. Keep Rawlya fort to your left to stay on track. Pass the dense patch to reach a hamlet.
Facilities
- StayStay: Hamlet houses (4-5 guests) or open-air camping.
- FoodNo food on site.
- WaterDrinking water available