Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by admin
Lohagad Fort is a popular day trip from Pune and especially visited in monsoon. Check out this guide on Lohagad Fort Trek.
Monsoon season in Pune means heading to the Western Ghats. The first rains are especially special and if it is a weekend then day trips around Pune are for trekking, nature walks, camping and chasing waterfalls.
Pune’s surroundings are nature’s bounty thanks to the Sahyadri hills of Western ghats. I reminisce about one such day trip from Pune to Lohagad wherein I contemplated if the Lohagad Fort trek would be as easy as they say it is.
Shivneri Fort in Junnar is another fort worth the climb!
Table of Contents
About Lohagad Fort
Lohagad is one of the historical citadels situated on a hillock in the Lonavala region of Maharashtra.
Lohagad Fort is said to be one of the must-visit places in Maharashtra, especially for trekking enthusiasts.
Lohagad in Marathi translates to ‘Iron Fort’ and is backed by the rich history and architectural brilliance which makes it a favourite and a quick getaway for the students, IT professionals and BPO employees of Pune. Don’t get me wrong, others enjoy it equally!
Lohagad Fort divides the river basins of Indrayani and Pavna and is situated at an elevation of 1,033 meters above mean sea level.
Lohagad is connected to the neighbouring Visapur Fort which is on its eastern side. The fort is still intact and in a good condition as compared to many others in Maharashtra. Lohagad has been declared a protected monument by the Archeology Survey of India (ASI).
Talking about climbing forts how about walking on the Second Longest Wall in the World?
History of Lohagad Fort
The history of this fort is associated with the great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji. Shivaji Maharaj had captured Lohagad in 1648 and it was handed over to Mughals in 1665 according to the Treaty of Purandar. After five years, the Marathas recaptured it in 1670 and it was used as storage to keep wealth.
It is believed that several other dynasties, such as Rashtrakutas, Nizamshahis, Yadavas, Chalukyas, Mughals, Bahamanis, Satavahanas, have used this fort for several purposes. This is the reason why the fort plays a prominent role in the history of Maharashtra.
Most forts in Maharashtra offer breathtaking views from the top after a hike. Read about Hike to Sinhagad Fort, a half-day trip from Pune that can be combined with a visit to Khadakwasla dam. The kanda bhajjis (onion fritters) are a must eat at Sinhagad fort.
Lohagad Fort Trek: My experience
4 friends on 2 bikes started from Pune on an early Saturday morning towards Lohagad via NH48. An hour into the ride and our stomachs already grumbled for some breakfast. We stopped in one of the roadside shacks selling ‘Chai’ and ‘Pohe’ overlooking the beautiful countryside. After the pit stop, we started again towards Kamshet.
The mundane highway traffic noise was rattled by high-speed bikers who zoomed past us.
It took us over 2 hours to cover the 55km stretch from Pune to Lohagad including the breakfast stop. We reached the Malavli village and upon asking the villagers (works so much better than GPS!), they guided us towards Lohagadwadi village. Lohagad Fort trek starting point is Malavali village for people coming by train and Lohagadwadi village for people on bikes/cars.
We came across the Gaimukh Khind exactly as the villagers had told us the directions and took a right turn towards Lohagadwadi. We promised ourselves to take a left turn soon so as to do the Visapur fort trek, next time.
A small parking area on the foothills near Lohagadwadi village makes it easy to keep the vehicles. It is possible for bikes to go up to the parking area near Bhaja caves. It is generally safe to park there. We found the stairs toward the end of the trekking trail, which would lead us straight to the fort.
We started on the first stairs at about 10:30 am and enquired from the visitors who had already descended the Lohagad fort steps and an enthusiastic guy replied ‘ About 500 EASY steps!
So we started climbing those easy steps breathing in the fresher air with every stair higher.
As we neared the top we came across four doors – the first one is called ‘Ganesh Darwaja’ which houses a broken shrine of Ganapati.
The second one is called ‘Narayan Darwaja’ which houses the shrine of Goddess Parvati postured in crossed legs.
The third one is called ‘Hanuman Darwaja’ which has Lord Hanuman carvings in a dilapidated state, probably because it is known to be the most ancient of all the doors in the fort.
The fourth one is called ‘Maha Darwaaja’ which has a wooden structure built in the Mughal style and the opposite of it houses the cenotaph dedicated to Aurangzeb.
We crossed a room-like looking structure between the Narayan & Hanuman Darwaja. In the yesteryears, these were two godowns that were used for the storage purposes of ammunition. After entering the Maha Darwaja we came across an old mosque. Towards the right of Maha Darwaja, we came across ‘Laxmi Kothi’ which had many rooms. Two cannons are placed here.
We noticed that the entire Lohagad consisted of numerous structures, carvings and caves, some intact and some ruined.
The hill extended to the northwest to a fortified spur which is a 1500 meter long & 30 meters wide part of the mountain, separated from the main part. Viewing from the fort this area looks like a scorpion’s tail and hence it is called Vinchu Kata. This part of the fort acted as a watchtower to keep tabs on enemy activity and attack a launch if required.
We spent the early part of our afternoon and our grumbling stomach reminded us that we need food. The Lohagad fort trek does not have food stalls and the snacks and water that we carried were about to get over. So we decided to climb down and reach the base at 4 pm. We considered going to the nearby waterfalls but we were too tired and hungry and decided to pass it for next time.
All this trekking reminded me of trek to Triund hill.
Best time to visit Lohagad Fort
The best time to visit Lohagad Fort is during the monsoon months i.e. June to September as it receives heavy rainfall, which makes the trekking track green and spectacular. The top is full of mist. One can also visit it in winter till March when the weather is pleasant and humidity is low.
How to reach Lohagad Fort
Lohagad is a few kilometres away from Mumbai and Pune and can be reached by the following modes of transport:
By Flight
The Pune International Airport is the closest airport. It is located at a distance of 55kms from Lohagad which takes around 2hrs of a drive on the Mumbai-Pune Highway.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Malavli. It is just 6kms away from Lohagad Fort. Lonavala is another major railway station near Lohagad. It is 12kms away from Lohagad Fort.
By Road
Lohagad is accessible by road. Just follow the Mumbai-Pune Highway to reach.
Frequently Asked Questions for Lohagad Fort Trek
Who built Lohagad Fort?
The fort was built by Guru Govind Singh and it was designed to serve as a prison. However, over the years, it was used for various purposes.
Lohagad trek time/ Time required to climb Lohagad fort Pune?
It took us 2 hours to climb Lohagad with ample photography stops and a first-time visit. For people visiting it often, the trek can be completed within 40 minutes.
What are Lohagad trek timings?
Lohagad trek is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Is food available in Lohagad?
Food is only available at the base village or in the shacks at the base. Cooking is not allowed inside the fort premises. Carrying dry snacks is allowed.
Are toilets available on Lohagad fort?
There are no toilets available in the fort. Ensure to use a toilet before you start the trek.
Where to stay in Lohagad?
Though Lohagad trek is a one day trip from Pune, it can be combined with leisure stay in Lohagad Boat club on the banks of Pawna Lake. There are also many campsites to choose from.
Is Lohagad fort trek easy? | What is the difficulty level of Lohagad trek?
Lohagad trek is an easy to moderate trek that can be done by anyone. You can be easily be prepared for the trek by following the points below:
- Physical fitness: No special training is required for the Lohagad trek, but the fitter you are the better you enjoy it.
- Exercise and walk: You need to have good stamina for trekking. Regular walking along with some cardiovascular exercises increases the stamina required for the trek.
Distance from Mumbai to Lohagad / How to reach Lohagad from Mumbai?
Lohagad trek from Mumbai distance is 100 km and three hours drive.
Distance from Pune to Lohagad Distance/ How to reach Lohagad from Pune?
Lohagad from Pune is two hours drive 65 km approx. Car parking is available near the Bhaja village.
Things to Carry on Lohagad Fort trek
- Sunglasses
- Good trekking shoes or any comfortable shoes
- Water-bottle
- Hat or cap or stole
- Snacks
- Medicines if you are suffering from any allergy or you are on any medication.
Sustainable Tips for Lohagad Fort Trek
- Carry a bag to store the wrappers and plastic packets. Take it back to the base or even better back to the city for disposal. DO NOT under any circumstances throw the plastic in water tanks at the top of the fort – it is impossible to clean it.
- Do not dispose of leftover food during the trek or on the top.
- Take food only in the quantity that you will consume.
- Do not carry liquor – it is banned to consume it on the fort premises.
- Do not write on or distort the rocks of the fort. You are witnessing a portion of history so respect it.
Read More Blogs from Maharashtra
- Diveagar – The Konkan Paradise
- One day trip to Alibaug from Mumbai
- Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nashik
- Nashik Tourist Places
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8 comments
I never heard of this place before but I’m so glad I came across your post. These photos are so lovely. I will have to add this to my never ending bucket-list. Hopefully when travel restrictions become normal again I will be able to experience this place myself one day.
Why do you go in Monsoon season? I have never experienced one, but it isn’t dangerous? I love the idea of a day with caves, waterfalls, biking and hiking.
Jamie, monsoon is huge in India as the rains make the waterfalls swell and makes the mountains green. It is only in the monsoon that we get rains so we really look forward to travelling in that season.
Wow, I loved the views of the River basins from the top of Lohagad. That must have been even better in person especially after biking for 2 hours and then trekking up 500 “easy” steps! That one gate view you captured is really beautiful. It always amazes me when you find structures in hard to reach or hidden areas that have such amazing architecture because that means great workers had to carry all of that up there & then build it!
I have fond memories from my time in Pune too, I miss the city so much! Lohagad was a trip we made often but never actually did the hike – too lazy for that! Wish I could go back now and do the hike though, it sounds amazing!
Wow, the fort really is stunning built into the rock like that! A bike ride sounds like the perfect way to start the day and get the blood flowing for the hike. And I can see what you mean about visiting during monsoon season. The surroundings really are so green and lush!
Thank you for such a detailed post! Saving it so I can refer to it when I plan a trip there, of course after the pandemic ends
Glad to know that Pooja. Lohagad is a lovely place with a short trek. I hope you have a good time, whenever you go!