Top Monsoon Trekking Destinations Near Pune

Sinhgad Fort

Sinhgad Fort has a big importance in Maratha empire history, which was captured by Tanaji Malusare. It is surrounded by big slopes and also Torna, Rajgad, and Purandar forts can be seen from here. It has very clear weather and greenery.

It looks more beautiful in the monsoon season. This fort has two gates, one is Pune Darwaja and the other is Kalyan Darwaja. Its height is 4321 ft above sea level. It is situated in the Sahyadri mountain range.

Sinhgad Fort is a very popular weekend destination for enthusiastic trekkers, especially in the morning. Trekking starts from Sinhgad village to Sinhgad Fort, which is about 2.7 kilometers, with a 1950 ft elevation.

On the fort, there is a memorial of Tanaji Malusare, military stables, and the tomb of King Rajaram, Tanaji Kada, Khandkada Machi, Kalavanteen Buruj, Zunjar Buruj, Daru Kothar, Kade Lot, Wind Point, Udaybhan Rathod’s Memorial, Dev Taake, Horse stables, Top Khana, Lokmanya Tilak’s bungalow. Also, visitors can see the historic Grand entrance gates, Kali Temple. From the top of the fort, we can see other mountains of Sahyadri.

While reaching on fort food is available to eat. Specially pithal bhakari, thecha, Masala Tak, dahi ( curd ) in mataka is very good and testy. Other types of food are also available.

How to Reach Sinhgad Fort

It is always good to have your own vehicle, so it reduces your travel time.

Also, You will get a bus from Swargate, Pune ( opposite Natraj Hotel ), direct to Sinhgad, or from Shaniwarwada, you will get a bus named Sinhgad Paytha. By bus, it takes around 1-1.30 hrs to reach.

Sinhgad fort is open for tourists throughout the year, you can visit it from 6 am to 6 pm. If you want to park your vehicle on the top of the fort then there is a parking fee, 20 rupees for 2 wheeler and 50 rupees for 4 wheeler.

Lohagad Fort

Lohagad is located southwest of the Visapur Fort, 52 km from Pune. Lohagad Fort has an elevation of 1033 meters above sea level. In history, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used this fort to keep the winnings from Surat

This fort is a part of the Western Ghats. Lohagad Fort has four large gates, which are in good condition now. 

During monsoon season, this fort is a main attraction for trekkers. The top of the fort becomes full of mist and clouds, having beautiful greenery all over. While trekking, roads are quite slippery, so we need to take precautions.

The best season to visit this fort is monsoon.

We can reach Lohagad by the Mumbai Pue National Highway from Paud via Kolvan and Dudhiware Khind. Lonavala is the nearest major railway station, so you can take a train from Pune to Lonavala. Also, malavali is the nearest railway station accessed by suburban trains between Pune to Lonavala.

Bhaja Caves, Karla Caves, Lohagad Jain Cave, Lonavala, Aamby Valley City, and Visapur Fort are nearby attractions around Lohgad.

Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi is a famous trekking destination in the Sahyadri mountain range. Rajmachi is 15 km away from Lonavala and it is almost a plane walk, while sometimes there are some ups and downs. It takes 3-4 hrs to reach by walking. There is another route to reach Rajmachi from Khondane village, it is a steep climb up to Rajmachi. Rajmachi is 85 km from Pune and 95 km from Mumbai. Lonavala railway station is the nearest railway station.

This Fort became famous in the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the 15th century. This fort has seen battles of Mughal and Maratha, and later in the 19th century, it was taken over by the British.

Rajmachi is the perfect trip in the monsoon season with beautiful waterfalls and the mighty Kataldhar waterfall can be seen from the fort. 

Rajmachi trek is easy from Udhwadi, but from Lonavala to Udhwadi road is tough, and it is about 15 km and takes 2 hrs by walking.

In the base village udhwadi, you will get many hotels available for food, a local delicacy pithal-bhakari you must try. It is a homemade food.

Visapur Fort

In order to protect Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort was built. It is a part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification. It is near to Visapur village in Pune, Maharashtra. Visapur Fort’s height is about 3556 ft.

Lohagad Fort was the fame and strength of the Maratha kingdom, so in order to reduce the power of Peshwas and reduce the number of forts, the British attacked this fort on 4 March 1818, and the Visapur Fort was occupied by British people they used Visapur Fort against to Lohagad and they set up their cannons on Visapur fort and bombarded Lohagad like this Lohagad and Visapur fort was taken over by British.

Compared to Lohagad, Visapur Fort has a higher elevation and is larger. At Visapur Fort, you will get to see many caves, water tanks, a decorated arch, and old houses. There is one large stone-built house which is ruined, It is known as the Peshwas palace.

At Visapur Fort, you can reach by railway easily, as the nearest railway station Malvali railway station is well connected to Mumbai, Pune, and Lonavala via local trains. From the Malavali railway station, you can easily get an auto to the base village of Visapur Fort.

Bhaje Village to Visapur Fort Trek

• Start: Bhaje village
• Trail: Flat mud trail, 4 km
• Split: Left to Visapur, right to Lohagad
• Ascent: Follow arrows through the forest to a hut with an orange horse marker, turn left
• Features: Waterfalls in monsoon, shaded trail
• Duration: 30–40 minutes to plateau
• Explore: Water tanks, flag, canon, Hanuman temple, fort remains, views of Lohagad, Tikona, Tung Forts, and expressway
• Descent: Same path

Patan Village to Visapur Fort Trek

• Start: Patan village near Lonavla
• Trail: Ask locals for directions
• Initial Path: Small forest, dried waterfall post-monsoon
• Bifurcation: Right to Visapur, left to Lohagad
• Ascent: 40 minutes to broken staircase leading to fort entrance

Duration: 2 hours total from Patan village

Torna Fort

If Sinhagad is a Lion’s cave then Torna is an eagle’s nest.

Torna Fort has a significant importance in Maratha Empire, as it was the first fort captured in 1646 by Shivaji Maharaj, at the age of 16. Its old name was Prachandgad, after capturing this Shivaji Maharaj renamed this fort Torana.

After the death of Sambhaji Maharaj, the Mughals Captured this fort in the 17th century, It was a very difficult battle between the Maratha and Mughals, which is why Aurangzeb renamed this fort as Futulgaib in recognition of the difficult battle of Torana Fort.

It is a large fort located in the Pune district, Maharastra, with an elevation of 1403 meters above sea level, making it the highest hill fort in the Pune district. 

Torna Fort is a popular fort among trekkers. Especially in the monsoon, from September to December. To stay on a fort for camping is not allowed, we need to leave the fort after 5.00 pm. Sinhgad, Lingana, Raigad, Purandar, and Rajgad these forts can be seen from Torana. On the Toran Fort, you will see beautiful flower beds, on the top, there are temples, water cisterns, Balekilla, 2 magnificent Machis, Zunjar Machi, and Budhla Machi, and a ridge connecting to Rajgad Fort.

The best route to reach Torna from Pune is via Khadakwasala- Sinhgad-Ranjane-Pabe Ghat Velhe, On this way you will see many beautiful villages, small waterfalls, and greenery to take a photo if you are going in monsoon season. Another route to reach Torna Fort is via Pune – nasarapur to velhe. 

For public transport, you can directly take a bus from Swargate to Velhe, but bus frequency are low. So you can take buses which are going towards Satara, Kolhapur and get down at Nasarapur. From there you will get many local taxis or autos to reach velhe.

Conclusion:

Monsoon trekking near Pune offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. From the lush slopes of Sinhgad to the mist-covered heights of Lohagad, each fort provides a unique trekking experience. Don’t miss the local delicacies and breathtaking views on your adventure.