The fort was captured by the Marathas from the Portuguese in 1737 during the campaign to seize the Bassein province.
The base village for the trek is Asheri, located near the town of Khodala.
The fort's plateau is known for housing rare rock-cut cisterns that remain filled with water even after the monsoon season.
The fort's construction is noted for the integration of natural steep cliffs that act as a defensive barrier, requiring minimal man-made walls on certain sides.
It is situated at an elevation of approximately 600 meters above sea level.
Asherigad Fort is a hill fort located in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, characterized by its position on a high plateau accessible via a trekking route. The fort was historically significant during the Maratha and Portuguese eras, serving as a strategic defensive point due to its difficult-to-scale vertical rock cliffs. The site features multiple water cisterns carved directly into the rock, which provided a perennial water source for inhabitants. Remnants of bastions and fortification walls are spread across the summit, showing architectural influences from successive regional rulers. The plateau offers a panoramic vantage point over the surrounding forested landscape of the Western Ghats. It remains an unprotected and largely unmaintained site, requiring physical exertion to reach.
The edge of the plateau overlooking the surrounding forest valleys provides the widest panoramic view of the cliffs.
Carry at least three liters of water per person, as there are no facilities available on the fort plateau.
Wear shoes with high-traction soles to navigate the slippery rock patches during and after the monsoon.
Start the trek early in the morning to avoid high temperatures on the exposed sections of the ascent.
Attempting the climb during heavy monsoon rainfall, when the rock surfaces become extremely dangerous and prone to landslides.
Carry out all waste and plastic to preserve the site's ecological state; refrain from disturbing local flora.
