Karnala

Karnala is a great destnation for the ones who want to be close to nature. Karnala bird sanctuary is the primary attraction of Karnala along with the Karnala fort ideal for trekking which is a trek of moderate difficulty. Karnala Thums up a sheer rock face at a height if 1538 ft is a rock climbing destination which requires expertise of technical climbing. The best time to visit Karnala is just after monsoons and early winters when it would be all green all around Karnala.

While driving down the Mumbai-Goa Highway, stop when you see Hotel Ekvira or a board in marathi that indicates that you have reached the Karnala Bird sanctuary , just opposite the Karnala range forest office. There is no entry fee at the Karnala Bird Sanctuary however if you want to bring your car upto the main open area where the forest rest houses are located you have to pay Rs 30.

The intriguing hill fort of Karnala has always attracted trekkers from Pune and Mumbai because of its proximity and the great views of the mumbai harbour. The peak itself is crested by a thumb shaped pinnacle - The famous Karnala Thumbs Up. The trek to Karnala fort will take an hour and atop the fort there is a small Bhavani temple. At the base of the pinnacle are some buddhist rock cut caves.