The splendid environment of Lonavala is situated in the green valleys of the Western Ghats. It stands at an elevation of 624 meters and is characterized by pastoral green lands, blissfully cascading waterfalls, sparkling lakes and beautiful caves. Lonavala boasts of excellent weather throughout the year, which makes it a popular weekend getaway from Mumbai. This picturesque mountain range also provides scope for Lonavala hiking and trekking routes.
On this page, we have compiled a list of treks available in Lonavala. So, ditch the mundane and take a rejuvenating trek into nature!
Lonavala Bhimashankar Trek
Nestled in the serene Sahyadri hills, the Lonavala Bhimashankar Trek is a historic hiking path, located just 75 meters away from Lonavala. This journey covers rugged terrain with massive plateaus, delivering stunning vistas that offer an exhilarating challenge. Starting from Pune, it lies 110 kilometers away, while from Mumbai it is 200 kilometers distant. This trek takes anywhere between 2-3 days to complete. The trek to Bhimashankar Temple, famous as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, is recommended from October to February. The trek fee varies between ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.
Lohagad Fort Trek
The Lohagad fort, otherwise referred to as the “Iron Fort” is situated in Lonavala, India. This archeological monument was founded in the seventeenth century by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Over time, many dynasties have captured it and because of this, the fort has evolved and its architecture has changed in order to incorporate distinctive elements. Even though the area might be beautiful, weather changes due to the monsoons in Lohagad can be problematic. During the wet season, fort has some of the greatest waterfalls. The trek to Lohagad Fort is easy to moderate in difficulty and takes between 4 to 5 hours. The fort is best visited between October and February and costs around ₹500 to ₹800 per person.
Tikona Fort
Tikona fort is located in the Pawan Maval district of Konkan and is a beautiful hill stronghold of Buddhist and Hindu culture. The fort is centered on the famous Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple. Adventurers can explore the breathtaking terrain and Pawna lake surrounding the fort through 8 km of walking routes. It is best to make this trek between October and February when the prices are between ₹400 and 600 per person. This fort is a must see for those who are nature lovers and seek adventure.
Rajmachi Fort
Located in the Lonavala Sahyadri valley, the Rajmachi Fort is a moderate level 16 km trek. The Rajmachi fort is composed of two fortresses: Shriwardhan and Manaranjan. The fort offers amazing views of the Konkan region and the surrounding landscape. Rajmachi Fort is best visited between October-Febuary and the cost is approximately ₹800 to ₹1200 per person. The trekking path has rich flora and fauna, which enhances the trekking experience.
Bhaja Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage
The Bhaja Caves are a collection of 22 rock-cut caverns which form part of the earliest Buddhist settlements in Maharashtra. The Caves are situated at 400 meters above sea level near Bhaja hamlet and are designated as a National Monument of Importance. The caves are positioned close to the Mumbai-Pune expressway and showcase the Buddhist heritage of the region. It takes 2-3 hours to cover the 3 kilometer distance to the caves with October-Febuary being the ideal months to visit.
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