Ghanchakkar is the third highest peak in the Maharashtra State under Sahyadri mountain ranges in western India. Its neighbouring peak ''Muda'' is the fourth highest peak in the Maharashtra State under Sahyadris.

Trekking

Ascents of the mountain are normally made from one of two base villages. Shirpunje village is located from

Rajur Rajur is a census town in Yavatmal district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Rajur is also known as Rajur Colliery. Geography Rajur has an average elevation of 741 metres (2431 feet). Demographics India census, Rajur had a p ...

and is situated on the northern side of the mountain. Using this village as a start point, the peak of Ghanchakkar can be reached in around 2.5 hours. Alternatively climbers often use Kumshet village as a base and is around from Rajur. This village is used as a stopover resting place for those who trek from

Ratangad Ratangad is a fort in Ratanwadi, Maharashtra, India, overlooking the locale of Bhandardara, one of the oldest artificial catchment area. This fort is located in the Ahmadnagar district of Maharashtra. It is on the boundary of Ahmadnagar and T ...

Harishchandragad Harishchandra Fort is a Forts in India, hill fort in the Ahmednagar district of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, Kothale village and it has played a role in guarding and controlling the surrounding region. History The fo ...

via Katrabai. From Kumshet there is no direct approach to Ghanchakkar, trekkers have to climb up to the Kartabai col and from there bypass the Wakri mountain and proceed towards Muda. Then one must walk across the connecting col between Muda and Ghanchakkar to reach the Ghanchakkar's peak. Hence from Kumshet village, climbing Ghanchakkar using this route is indirect and long-winded, taking about 4 hours. Being in a remote location, these mountains are hard to reach. Treks from Ratangad to Harishchandragad, may require descent into the Katrabai and then walk to Kumshet. Lack of adequate transport facilities such as public buses in this area, requires trekkers to rely on their private vehicles and Jeeps which operate between Rajur and Kumshet/Paachnai/Ambit

Bhairavgad Bhairavgad is a fort in India, twenty miles south-west of Patan, Satara district of Maharashtra. The fort is situated on a peak of Sahyadri range. The fort has a temple of Bhairav (Shiva); from which it gets its name. It is located at an altitud ...

fort near Shirpunje village can be trekked if ample amount of time present. The photographs in this article are taken from the top of Bhairavgad near Shirpunje village.

Topography

Ghanchakkar and Muda combinedly have a vast plateau between their summits. Despite Ghanchakkar being the third highest peak in the Western Ghats, it is often overlooked by trekkers due to its lack of water. There is not an adequate supply of water apart from one small source which is only available during the colder months until summer at which point the plateau becomes barren. Ghanchakkar and Muda also do not offer any kind of shelter. There is a shrine of a local deity called 'Gavalidev' on Muda but it is mostly known only to the local people.

References

* http://www.ratangadbhandardaratrek.blogspot.com/ {{coord, 19.476, 73.760, display=title Mountains of the Western Ghats Mountains of Maharashtra Tourist attractions in Maharashtra