Padargad lies in Bhimashankar Range in Khandas village in Karjat. It is a unique fort with two dike like structure clearly visible and separated from main range by a khind. Padargad or Padhargad was used as a vantage point to keep an eye on Peth/Kothaligad fort. Padargad is on the way to Bhimashankar. One cannot do Bhimashankar and Padargad on same day. Padargad takes around 3 hours to climb. Its uniqueness comes at a point where the climb is between two hills a feet wide where one has to do a chimney climb. There are broken steps, water cistern and caves on top of Padargad.
Padargad can be reaches via two route from Khandas village. One is Ganesh Ghat which is a gradual climb till Padarmachi or base. Other is Shidi Ghat which is direct steep climb against the sheer wall and then a long walk through dense forest till Padar base. Use Ganesh Ghat for Padargad while Shidi Ghat for Bhimashankar. Since this is Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary there is plenty of Flora, Fauna and wild animals. One can reach a temple on the way from Ganesh Ghat.
There is a small well from which the route cuts into the forest of Padargad. After which a short trek through dense forest will open upto the scree and lose rock the way to khind. There are three caves and water cistern on top.
PADARGAD, BHIMASHANKAR TOP VIEW
