Visapur: Easy and Relaxing Trek

I had not trekked for almost three weeks and I had to do something this Sunday. I therefore decided to go to Visapur in the Lonavala region for a trek with another friend. I was told it is simple and relaxing.
Visapur is one trek I had always wanted to do but never did for a long time, although I had trekked Lohaghad-the sister fort of Visapur several times. This Sunday we decided to take off to Visapur.
Visapur is near Bhaje Caves and adjacent to Lohaghad. Both Lohaghad and Visapur have great historic importance as they played a leading role in guarding the ancient trade routes and have been saviors of Bhaje caves. While a lot is known about Lohaghad there was very little I gathered initially about Visapur. Despite the fact that it is a very large fort with the presence of a large plateau, very little is written and talked about Visapur. It is only when we reached the top that I realized the vast expanse of this fort land.
At the base of Visapur is Bhaje caves. Thee caves have been carved out in the same mountain as Visapur. It is a stretch of 18 caves and are amongst the oldest monasteries excavated by monks of the Hinayana order
To be precise Visapur lies in the Nane Maval region, which was under Nizamshahi after the dissolution of Bahmani rule. It went into the hands of Mughals in the treaty of Mahuli, between ShahajiRaje and Mughals. Then Shivaji captured almost all forts here till 1660.
The walk up to Visapur is lovely. An ideal trek for a fresher, getting to Visapur is not a difficult task. By train one needs to alight at Malavali station. A local guide from here is a good help.
If you travel by a Car, the vehicle can be taken right upto the base of Visapur. From the parking lot you walk a few distances and then you will find large steps going upwards these steps leads one to Bhaje Caves. Mid-way through the steps there is a diversion to the right and that will lead you to Visapur. We pass initially through the thickets and then climb up. We pass few huts in between and a small village that house three or four huts only. Once can see the fortification of the Vispaur fort from here. As we climb up further we come across a stream. As we cross the stream and climb up further we reach the crumbled fortress.
As we pass this fortress we sight a hillock on the left.
We sight some caves on the hillock and one of these caves has a cistern filled with water. As we walk ahead keeping this hillock on the left we sight another hillock on the right. Walking in between these two hillocks and walking straight ahead until we come across some rock-cut steps. As we climb up further we come reach the huge plateau of the fort and the fortification around it is amazing.
What’s even more amazing is the clear geometric shaped fort walls that are yet so intact. The main characteristics of this fort is the strong fortification that has been built and the vast plateau that it has. During Shivaji’s time this fort was considered one of the strongest forts. As we walk along the fortification and we glance our sight to the left we spot a huge big carving of Hanuman on a one of the walls. The image is chiseled out of rock. Caves lie nearby this image.
The total climb from the base to the fort is about 1.5 hours. However, once on the top of the fort there is lot to explore. It took us almost two hours to explore the entire length and breadth of the fort.