Bhimashankar is a huge massif 1005m high at the southern end of the Malshej Ghat region. There is a huge plateau at the top, and the area is thickly forested. It is a reserve forest, and is a great place to visit in the monsoon. It is also a popular pilgrimage spot, being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The actual top is about 50m higher than the temple and is called Nagphani. The Bhima river originates from here and flows down towards the Deccan plateau. Nagphani gives a great view of Peth fort, Siddhagad, Damdamia, Andhra valley and the mountains near Lonavla.

           There are huts and dharamshalas near the temple for people to stay in. One gets hot, simple and spicy dinner at the dhabas on the top. In the monsoon the entire area around the temple is covered in clouds and even the road lights can be difficult to see! The temple is very beautiful and it has a huge bell at one end, a relic from Portuguese times.
           Buses ply from Mumbai and Pune to the temple. These buses have to approach Bhimashankar from the Deccan plateau side (Khed side). But for trekkers, there are many other routes. For example, one can approach Bhimashankar from Ghonemal in southern Malshej Ghat region. But by far, the most popular trekking approach is to climb up from the Konkan. The base village is Khandas which is about 36km from Karjat and takes 90 minutes to reach by bus from Karjat. There is a bus which leaves Karjat at 7:15am then 9:15am or one can go by rickshaw for Khandas. There are two routes from Khandas to Bhimashankar. One is Ganpathy ghat and other is Sidi ghat.  Sidi ghat is shorter but a risky route.  It takes about two hour to reach Padarwadi, where you can have your lunch, hot tea is served by the villagers.  A steep trail takes one to the thicket and after coming out in the open one can see the Siddhagad.  From here the top is about 20 minutes