Last weekend, it rained in Pune, and it was heavenly. It was a long weekend ahead, so All my roommates decided to plan a trek that we could complete in a single day near Pune. We were eager to explore the lush landscapes refreshed by the rain and embark on a memorable adventure together. One of my friends suggested trekking to Tikona Fort, as he had been planning for this trip for a long time. Tikona Fort Trek is close to Pawna Lake and offers an accessible one-day adventure near Lonavala. This fort is renowned among Mumbai Pune trekkers as a popular destination during the monsoon season. On weekends, you can find a big rush there as one of the easiest treks near Lonavala. But believe me, the view and atmosphere are worth the visit. As soon as you finish the trek, you’ll shed all the burdens of your office and get refilled for the week ahead. There are mountains all around covered with lush greenery, offering a refreshing and cool air.

About The Tikona Fort

Tikona Fort, also known as Vitandgad, is a famous hill fortress in the Maval region of the Western Ghats, in the vicinity of Kamshet in Maharashtra, India.
The fort has historical significance dating back to the 17th century when it was a strategic outpost of the Maratha Empire. The fort’s architecture includes large doors, water storage tanks, and stone wheel tracks, reflecting the greatness of ancient engineering.

Tikona trek distance from Pune

The distance from Pune to Tikona Fort is approximately 50 km, and it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach there via the Kolwan – Paud Rd/Nanegaon Rd route. To make the most of the trek and enjoy the breathtaking views, trek in the early morning, around 8:00 AM, to avail the best lighting and an optimal hiking experience. If you start the trek early in the morning, you will encounter less traffic and rush, and the sun will not bother you with its heat.

What is The Best time to go Tikona fort trek?

Although the ideal time to plan a Tikona Fort trek depends on your preference, we visited the fort in May after 2-3 rainy days in Pune. However, there was less greenery than in the rainy season, but the weather was fantastic for the trek as it had rained at that time. Here, you can plan according to the season:

1. Tikona in Summer:

If you visit Tikona from March to mid-June, you may experience humidity and a lot of heat. Also, you will not see any greenery. This is the off-season, and I recommend avoid planning the trek during that time.

2. Tikona in Monsoon:

June to September is the monsoon season in Maharashtra, transforming the entire state into a different place on the earth. Everything looks like heaven here in the Sahyadri ranges. So yes, June to September is the best time to visit the Tikona trek. But read all the advisories before visiting because too much rain can make it slippery during this time.

3. Tikona Fort in Winter:

October to February is also an ideal time as temperatures go down. Also, as the monsoon season has just ended, You will see a lot of greenery There. If you want to avoid rain and visit places in cool weather, then Winter is an excellent time to visit the places.

What is Tikona fort trek difficulty level?

Trekking at Tikona Fort is not that tough, but try to avoid traveling during heavy rain as many times the ground doesn’t become visible due to a lot of greenery. Also, too much rain can make your way a bit slippery.

Difficulty Level: Easy
Trek Length: Approximately 2 km

How to get there?

By Road:

Reaching Tikona is straightforward as we drive through our private car. It took us around 2 hours to get to the Tikona village, the base camp for the trek. In between, we stayed for a small 20-minute snack break, which is abundant across both sides of the road. Locals helped us locate the trek’s exact starting point, which has ample parking space. The trek is around 2km, and we completed the trek in approx 2 hours. We enjoyed the lush green surroundings and the cool breeze around the trails during the trek.

By Train:

In case you want to reach there by public transport, the nearest station would be Kamshet, which is accessible by both bus and train from Pune/Mumbai. From Kamshet, you need to board a local bus to Tikona Peth, whose frequency is around 1 hour.

Things you will see during the trek:

While you trek following the trails created to reach the summit from the base camp, you will encounter a range of breathtaking views. I can only imagine people extending the trek to enjoy the panoramic views. We, too, enjoyed those views during our trek and clicked thousands of photos even on the small trek. And, if you are fond of changing DP daily, it will take more than a month to move to a different collection.

• Once you reach the peak, which is of a triangular shape, you can see Tung, Visapur, and Lohagad forts from the top.
• A picture-perfect panoramic view of Pawna Lake is available from the other side of the top.
• Lastly, if you are lucky enough to have a clear sky while on the peak, you can even see Sinhagad, Rajgad. and Tirana Fort.

What to pack for the trek?

The trek is short, and you can cover it in 2-3 hours. Thus, you only require a little to carry with you. Just keep the following things with you:

• Keep a water bottle to hydrate yourself throughout the day.
• Carry snacks that can calm your hunger and cravings during the trek.
• If you are trekking to Tikona fort in the monsoon, take an umbrella or a raincoat.
• Also, if you are in a group, ask someone to carry a first aid kit to use in case of any injury.

Faqs:

What is the distance of the Tikona Fort Trek from Mumbai?

The Tikona Fort Trek is approximately 125 km away from Mumbai. It may take around 3 hours for you to reach there.

Is Tikona trek hard?

I will not say it is a hard trek, but yes, it is a challenging trek as it involves a steep climb and some rough terrain.

Can I reach Tikona via public transport?

Yes, you can take a bus and train as public transport to reach the Tikona trek. The closest railway stations are Lonavala and Kamshet, from where you can take a shared rickshaw or bus to Tikona village. Various bus services are also available on an hourly basis that will drop you at Tikona Peth. The distance from Lonavala to the trek is around 35 km, while the distance from Kamshet is approximately 20 km.

What are the nearby attractions near the Tikona Fort Trek?

Some nearby places of interest include Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, Pawna Lake, and the hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala.