by You’ve scrolled past those perfect waterfall photos where couples stand under crystal streams with not a soul around. Reality? Most popular waterfalls near Pune look like local railway stations during monsoon weekends.
We spent three monsoon seasons chasing waterfalls around Pune. Some were worth every rupee. Others? Waste of fuel. Here’s what actually works when you’re looking for hidden waterfalls near Pune that won’t have 200 people photobombing your romantic moment.
Let me be clear upfront — if you’re going between June to September, forget about “hidden” at famous spots like Bhushi Dam or Lonavala falls. But drive 15 km further. Take that unmarked left. That’s where the real magic is.
Why Most Couples Miss the Best Waterfalls Near Pune
Everyone searches “waterfalls near pune” and lands on the same five names. Kune Falls. Bhivpuri. Tamhini. All beautiful, yes. All packed like Deccan Gymkhana on a Friday evening.
The waterfalls near Pune under 100km that stay empty? They’re not on Google’s first page. Local villagers know them. Trekking groups guard them like secrets. And couples who stumble upon them don’t geo-tag because they want to come back to the same peace.
We made the mistake once — posted exact location of a secluded spot near Mulshi. Next weekend, 15 cars. That hurt.
Here’s what changed our approach: we stopped looking for “best waterfalls around pune” and started asking dhaba owners, farmers selling corn, and locals at petrol pumps. “Koi chhota waterfall hai yahan?” That question unlocked more spots than any blog ever did.
Devkund Waterfall — Worth the Trek Chaos
Distance from Pune: 90 km | Drive time: 2.5 hours
Let’s address this one first because everyone lists it as “hidden.” It’s not. Not anymore. But it’s still stunning enough that we’ve been there four times.
The waterfall itself? Gorgeous. Crystal-clear pool. Proper depth for a swim. Mountain backdrop that looks straight out of a film. The 2-hour trek through the forest? Romantic if you ignore the crowd.
Real costs we paid last visit in August 2025: ₹850 for parking at Bhira village base, ₹400 per person for local guide (non-negotiable during monsoon), ₹150 for breakfast at the village stall. Fuel from Pune: ₹620. Total for two: ₹2,470.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you — Devkund gets mobbed on Saturdays and Sundays. We’re talking 300+ people. But go on a Tuesday or Wednesday? Different story. We went on a Wednesday morning in September 2025, reached the waterfall by 11 AM. Had it to ourselves for 47 minutes before the next group arrived.
Take the trek seriously. Slippery rocks. Leeches everywhere during peak monsoon. Ketan got three leeches on one leg. Not fun. Wear full-length trek pants, not shorts.
Is it worth it? Yes, but only on weekdays. Weekend? Skip it.
Thokarwadi Waterfall — The Actual Hidden Gem
Distance from Pune: 72 km | Drive time: 2 hours
This is where we send friends who actually want solitude. Thokarwadi sits between Tamhini Ghat and Mulshi, and most people miss the turnoff because there’s barely a sign.
The waterfall cascades down in three tiers. You can sit right under the first tier — the pressure is gentle, not harsh. The pool at the bottom is shallow, maybe 4 feet at the deepest during good monsoon. Perfect for couples who want to wade in without swimming.
What we loved: zero commercial setup. No guides demanding money. No plastic-wrapped food stalls. Just a small clearing, the waterfall, and usually 2-3 other groups max.
We went there on a Saturday afternoon in July 2025. Parked the car near a small temple, walked 15 minutes through a village path. Only saw one other couple the entire three hours we were there.
Real costs: ₹540 fuel from Pune, ₹200 for cold drinks and snacks we carried from Pirangut. Parking was free near the temple. Total: ₹740 for two.
The road is the tricky part. After you cross Tamhini Ghat, you take a left at Thokarwadi village. The village road is narrow — single car width with a couple of spots to pass oncoming vehicles. Not scary, just needs careful driving. Any sedan works fine. We did it in a Baleno.
If you’re planning weekend getaways regularly, you might want to explore properties with waterfall views — but that’s a whole different budget conversation.
Kamshet Waterfall Near Pawna Dam
Distance from Pune: 52 km | Drive time: 1.5 hours
This one’s tricky because “Kamshet waterfall” isn’t an official name. It’s what locals call a seasonal stream that turns into a proper waterfall during heavy monsoon near the Pawana Dam backwaters.
You won’t find this on most lists of hidden waterfalls near Pune. We discovered it by accident when we took a wrong turn trying to find a homestay near Kamshet in 2024. Saw water gushing down rocks on the left, stopped the car, walked down.
The waterfall isn’t massive — maybe 18-20 feet high. But it’s surrounded by rocks that create natural seating. The water pools into a small collection area before flowing toward the dam. Private enough that we’ve seen couples propose here.
Important note: This spot works only during July and August. By September, the flow reduces to a trickle. And it completely dries up after monsoon.
How to reach: From Pune, take the old Mumbai-Pune highway toward Lonavala. Before Khandala, take the Pawna Dam road. About 3 km before Pawna Dam, you’ll see a small kutcha road on the left near a blue house. That’s your entry point. Park safely on the main road — don’t attempt to drive down the kutcha road.
Costs: ₹390 fuel, ₹0 entry (no one charges anything). Spent ₹280 on lunch at a dhaba near Kamshet on the way back. Total: ₹670 for two.
Best thing? Almost nobody knows about this. We’ve been thrice — never seen more than one other group.
Jagtap Waterfall — The Private Property Problem
Distance from Pune: 58 km | Drive time: 1.7 hours
Let’s talk about Jagtap waterfall with complete honesty. It’s beautiful. It’s relatively unknown. And it’s on private property.
The waterfall is near Khandi village on the Mulshi route. Flows strong during peak monsoon. The owner of the property charges an entry fee — ₹200 per person when we went in September 2025. Some people complain about this. We didn’t mind. Someone maintains the path, keeps it clean, and provides basic facilities.
What you get: A well-marked trail, rope support at steep sections, a clean sitting area near the waterfall, and genuinely fewer people because the entry fee filters out random large groups.
The waterfall has two levels. The lower one is where most people sit — good pool, safe depth. The upper level requires some careful rock climbing. We only went to the lower one. Worth it.
Real costs: ₹400 entry for two, ₹490 fuel, ₹120 for parking, ₹150 we spent on fresh corn from a local vendor. Total: ₹1,160 for two.
Is it hidden? Sort of. Not as mobbed as Bhivpuri or Tamhini, but not completely empty either. Expect 15-20 people on a Sunday. Weekdays are quieter.
One thing bothered us — you can’t carry plastic inside, which is great for nature but plan accordingly. Take reusable bottles and cloth bags.
Bhaje Waterfall — Skip the Cave, Chase the Falls
Distance from Pune: 62 km | Drive time: 1.8 hours
Everyone goes to Bhaje for the Buddhist caves. Ancient rock-cut architecture, historical significance, all that. But drive 10 minutes beyond the caves during monsoon, and there’s a waterfall most tourists never see.
It’s not technically hidden — locals know it well — but because it’s past the main Bhaje attraction, tourists miss it completely. The waterfall sits in a valley between two hills. Medium-height fall, maybe 35 feet. Strong flow during July-August.
We discovered this after visiting Bedse Caves (which are far better than Bhaje caves, honest opinion). On our way back, saw a signboard in Marathi pointing to “Dhap” (waterfall). Followed it.
The path from the road to the waterfall is about 20 minutes — not difficult, but wear proper grip shoes. Rocks get slippery. Once you’re there, you’ll find a natural rock formation that creates a perfect sitting area where you can watch the waterfall without getting drenched.
Real costs: ₹510 fuel from Pune, ₹80 for tea and vada pav at Malavli station on the return, ₹0 entry. Total: ₹590 for two.
Best time to go: Morning. After 1 PM, the sun is directly overhead, and the charm reduces. We went at 9 AM on a Sunday — had the spot to ourselves till 11:30 AM.
Also, if you’re anyway going to Bhaje, visit Bedse Caves instead of Bhaje Caves. Far less crowded, equally beautiful.
Kune Waterfall — The Overrated One
Distance from Pune: 102 km | Drive time: 2.3 hours
I’m including Kune Falls here only to tell you — it’s just outside our 100 km range, and honestly, it’s not worth the extra drive.
Yes, it’s the tallest waterfall near Pune. Yes, the water drops from over 200 feet. But you can’t get close to it. You view it from a fenced platform built by the forest department, along with 150 other people clicking selfies.
We went there in 2024. Felt like visiting a waterfall in a museum. Look but don’t touch. The entire experience lasted 20 minutes. Clicked photos, felt underwhelmed, left.
If you want height and drama, Kune wins. If you want to actually experience a waterfall — sit near it, feel the spray, listen to the sound up close — literally every other spot on this list beats Kune.
Real costs: ₹780 fuel, ₹20 for parking, ₹200 on snacks. Total: ₹1,000 for two. Not worth it. Use that money to visit Thokarwadi twice.
This is that contrarian opinion we promised: stop chasing the tallest or most famous waterfalls around Pune. Chase the accessible ones where you can actually make memories.
What We Learned After 19 Waterfall Trips
After three years and way too much fuel spent, here’s what works:
Timing is everything. Go between 7 AM to 10 AM on weekdays. The difference between 10 AM and 2 PM crowd is staggering. We saw it at Devkund — 11 people at 9 AM, over 80 people by 1 PM. Same day.
Monsoon months July and August give you maximum flow but also maximum crowd. September is the sweet spot. Still decent water, fewer people, and roads are less risky.
Carry a small dry bag. We learned this the hard way after Samprita’s phone took a swim at Thokarwadi. ₹18,000 lesson. Now we use a waterproof pouch that costs ₹350. Best investment.
Don’t rely only on Google Maps for the last few kilometers. Download offline maps, but more importantly, ask locals. The aunty selling bhajiyas at the village entrance knows more than any GPS.
Pack light but pack smart. Extra pair of dry clothes, basic first-aid, mosquito repellent, and actual food. Most hidden waterfalls near Pune don’t have maggi stalls. We carried sandwiches, bananas, and trail mix. Stayed energetic, saved money.
Check rainfall data before you go. We use IMD’s rainfall reports for the specific taluka. If there’s been heavy rain (over 100 mm) in the last 24 hours, skip it. Flash floods are real. We’ve turned back twice because locals warned us — waterfalls look tempting, but safety isn’t negotiable.
Fuel costs add up. We spent roughly ₹8,700 on fuel alone across 19 trips. Track it. Most waterfalls near Pune under 100km are budget-friendly for entry, but the drive isn’t free.
The Honest “Worth It or Not” Verdict
Let’s be straight. If you want a pune to waterfall road trip where you actually feel like a couple enjoying nature, not tourists standing in line:
Absolutely worth it:
- Thokarwadi Waterfall (our top pick)
- Kamshet seasonal waterfall near Pawna
- Jagtap Waterfall (if you don’t mind the entry fee)
Worth it only on weekdays:
- Devkund Waterfall
- Bhaje Waterfall
Skip entirely:
- Kune Waterfall
- Bhushi Dam area waterfalls (it’s a water park, not nature)
The best hidden waterfalls near Pune aren’t the ones with the most Instagram posts. They’re the ones where you forget to check your phone because you’re too busy sitting on a rock with your partner, watching water crash down, and just being present.
We’ve done the touristy ones. We’ve done the hidden ones. The hidden ones win every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most hidden waterfall near Pune that couples can visit?
Thokarwadi Waterfall between Tamhini Ghat and Mulshi remains the least crowded even during peak monsoon. You’ll find basic privacy and natural surroundings without commercial setups. The seasonal Kamshet waterfall near Pawna Dam is even more hidden but works only in July-August.
What is the best time to visit waterfalls near Pune under 100km?
September offers the best balance — waterfalls still have good water flow from monsoon, roads are safer than July-August, and crowds thin out significantly. For maximum flow, July-August works but expect heavy traffic and slippery trails. Avoid October onwards when most waterfalls reduce to trickles.
Can we reach these hidden waterfalls in a regular sedan?
Yes, most hidden waterfalls near Pune are accessible by sedan including Thokarwadi, Jagtap, Bhaje, and Devkund. The drive to Devkund base and Thokarwadi has some narrow village roads but nothing a careful driver can’t handle. We’ve done all these trips in a Baleno and i20. SUVs give more confidence but aren’t mandatory.
What should couples carry for a waterfall trip from Pune?
Pack extra dry clothes, waterproof pouch for phones, basic first-aid kit, mosquito repellent, grip shoes (not slippers), reusable water bottles, and actual meals since most hidden spots don’t have food stalls. We also carry a small towel and garbage bag to pack our trash. Skip heavy bags — you’ll be trekking.
Are there entry fees for waterfalls near Pune?
Most natural waterfalls around Pune have no entry fees — Thokarwadi, Bhaje, and Kamshet spots are completely free. Devkund charges ₹400 per person for mandatory guides during monsoon. Jagtap waterfall charges ₹200 per person as it’s on private property with maintained trails. Kune has minimal parking charges around ₹20.
Plan Your Next Waterfall Escape with Musafir Couple
We’ve shown you the seven spots that actually work. The hidden waterfalls near Pune where you won’t fight for space or spend half your day in traffic.
Whether you follow our exact routes or use this as a starting point to discover your own hidden gem, remember this — the best couple travel stories happen when you skip the crowded spots and trust the road less taken.
Musafir Couple (powered by Travelheal) has documented over 67 destinations across Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Karnataka. We share real costs, honest reviews, and the kind of practical tips that come only from actually driving those roads, making those wrong turns, and learning what works.
Want more unfiltered travel guides for weekend couple getaways? Follow our journey on Instagram and YouTube where Ketan and Samprita share live road trip updates, hidden destination reveals, and the exact GPS coordinates (when we feel generous). We’re based in Pune, we travel every weekend, and we’re terrible at keeping secrets about great spots.
For collaboration inquiries or specific route questions about waterfalls around Pune, reach us through our website. We reply to every message — sometimes with route maps, sometimes with warnings about which spots aren’t worth your fuel money.
Your next waterfall moment is under 100 km away. Just stop Googling the same five names.
