About Thoseghar waterfalls and Chalkewadi windmill farm:
The first time I read about Thoseghar waterfalls was through a social media post in Instagram. The photos intrigued me but any place that ends up on Instagram typically also has tourists thronging the place at any given time. I scouted google maps to see the location and if it would be worth the effort to visit this place. In looking at the route, I stumbled upon a Windmill farm at Chalkewadi. Windmills, a manmade machine that helps us and does not hurt nature. I am sucker for Windmills. During my stay in Nashik, me and my friends use to visit them for the spectacular views it offers. I will write about it some other time.
Anyways, after finalizing the route, all I had to do it wait for the weekend.
The route:
Thoseghar waterfalls is located in Satara so from Pune you have to take the Bangalore highway till Satara and exit at Khed. I have mentioned the route if anyone wants to visit.
Pune (Baner) – Khed – Sajjangad fort road – Thoseghar – Chalkewadi windmill farm
1. Link to the route: Pune to Thoswghar waterfalls and Chalkewadi windmills
2. Time to ride: 3 hours one way
3. Total distance, one way: 148KM
The ride:
I got up early in morning and hit the road by 6AM, this allowed me to avoid any traffic to get out of Pune till I reached Satara. Taking the Bangalore highway, I took the exit at Khed. Although the road changes to 2 lanes, there was still less traffic since it was early in the day. Once I started climbing the Sajjadgad road, the surrounding changed to mountains and cool morning breeze.
I reached Thoseghar by 9:00AM which meant I was the first person there as it opened. The entry fee is a nominal ₹10. The money is used to keep the area around the waterfall clean and pay the wages of people working in it. There are 2 views that can be seen for the waterfall, one at the top and another at the bottom, Chota Dhabdhaba (Small waterfall) and Motha Dhabdhaba (Large waterfall).
Since I was the only one there, I could sit and enjoy both the spots for a quite some time. There are stairs to reach the bottom viewing point so be ready for a lit hike. An important thing I noticed is that you cannot enter the water from anywhere, it is been fenced all around. This is majorly done to prevent people from entering the waters and avoid fatal incidents. If it was up to me, I will fence all the great spots in the India and keep people at a distance!
After spending an hour at Thoseghar, I continued towards my next stop, Chalkewadi Windmills. It is only 10 minutes away. You can see the windmills from distance. I didn’t find any restrictions and was able to stops at multiple points, sit around and enjoy the gushing wind.
There are some patches of trails which prompted me to take my Himalayan off road. Started by return journey at 11AM. On the way back, I stopped at a spot that gives you a great view of Urmodi dam. Had some tea from the only shop that was open while taking in the great views. Hopped back and returned home by lunch time and some beers!
Places to visit on this route
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Sajjangad fort
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Urmodi dam view point
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Thoseghar waterfalls
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Chalkewadi windmills
Overall experience rating for this route and places of interest:
1. Places: 3/5
2. Ride experience: 4/5
3. Food: 3/5
4. Best time to visit: July to December
