PC: Prasad Falke
Lonavala is one of the most popular hill stations in the western part of India. Located 625 m above sea level, this place offers a beautiful ambience and is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of crowded cities. Renowned as the sister hill station of Khandala, Lonavala creates a perfect blend of scenic beauty and pleasant weather, making it a visitor's paradise, especially during monsoons. The enchanting hill station is also a favourite amongst adventure enthusiasts as they can indulge in some thrilling adventures such as trekking, hiking and mountaineering.
Trek To Tikona Fort
Credit: Shreyank Gupta
Tikona Fort, also known as the Triangle Fort, is noted for its adventurous trail and spectacular views. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the Pawna Dam and Tung, Lohagad and Visapur Gad from the top of the fort. Trekkers pass through Trimbakeshwar Mahadev, water tanks and the iconic Satavahana Caves to reach this fort.
The fort also includes the famous Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple inside it. Winter season should be preferred to visit the Tikona Fort. This can be an ideal visit during the monsoon season.
Trek To Tamhini Ghats
Credit: Priyanka Roy Chaudhury
Tamhini Ghats is another popular trekking spots from Lonavala. It sits on the crest of the Western Ghats and connects the hilly area of Pune to the coastal borders of Konkan. With gushing waterfalls and lush green misty valleys, Tamhini Ghats provides an insurmountable natural beauty and the trekkers love to experience that, especially at night. If you have an eye for natural beauty and wildlife exploration then this place is a must visit for you.
Trek To Lohagad Fort
Credit: vivek Joshi
Lohagad Fort, located close to Lonavala, is one of the most popular hill forts in Maharashtra. The fort is constructed at an altitude of 1,033 m above sea level. Every monsoon, thousands of trekkers flock to this spot to enjoy the beautiful view from there.
Lohagad Fort is easily accessible from both Mumbai and Pune. This place is quite known amongst adventure sport lovers for a night trek. The best time to visit Lohagad Fort is during the monsoon season as the environment looks extremely beautiful and fresh due to the rains.
Trek To Duke's Nose
Credit: Ashish Gupta
Nagphani, which was later popularly known as Duke's Nose after Duke Wellington, offers a breathtaking view and attracts a number of trekkers from different parts of the country. The cliff appears like a snake's pointed head and hence, the name Nagphani was given to it.
This is one of the best trekking points between Khandala and Lonavala and it takes around 4 hours to reach the cliff. Trekkers should plan to visit Duke's Nose between October and March as the weather is quite pleasant during this time.
Trek To Bhimashankar
Credit: solarisgirl
Regular trekkers consider Bhimashankar to be one of their favourite trekking points as the trail passes through some of the amazing sights one could ever witness. From the deep rain forests, lush green meadows, waterfalls to some of the mysterious temples and tribal villages, the Bhimashankar trek has it all. If you are willing to go for a trek to Bhimashankar, then you should plan your trip between October to March.