Karnala Fort

Karnala Fort sits at 1,560 feet on a rocky hill rising sharply from the forest of the bird sanctuary. The climb from the sanctuary entrance takes around an hour through dense woodland — steep in places but well-marked. The remains of the fort include walls, cisterns, and a gateway, scattered across the upper slopes.

The summit is dominated by a 125-foot isolated rock pinnacle, "the thumb," which is a classic technical rock-climbing challenge. Non-climbers can walk around its base for the views — on a clear day you can see the Arabian Sea to the west. The fort is best visited in the early morning when the heat is manageable and the birdwatching on the trail up is at its best.

things to do sight
A story
Karnala Fort changed hands so many times in its history that it reads like a summary of Maharashtra's political geography: Devgiri Yadavas, Delhi Sultanate, Bahmani Sultanate, Gujarat Sultanate, the Portuguese, the Mughals, the Marathas, and finally the British all held it at various points. The 125-foot rock pinnacle that caps the fort is thought to be one reason it was so prized — it serves as a natural watchtower over the Bhor Ghat pass, one of the main routes through the Western Ghats.