Lohagad Fort has a fascinating history behind its construction. Many of you might not know that this Fort was initially built as a prison. Later, it was ruled by various kings. The Fort is also known as the “Iron Fort”, reflecting its impregnable nature. The Fort is beautiful and scenic and tops the list for trekkers. It stands at an elevation of 1,033 meters (3,389 feet) above sea level. You can chase panoramic views of the Pawna Valley and the surrounding Western Ghats from the top of the Fort. It is among the best treks near Pune and Mumbai due to its accessibility from these locations.
Its strategic importance is evident from its location, guarding a trade route that connected the Deccan Plateau with the Konkan coast.

Best Time To Visit Lohagad Fort:

Lohagad Fort looks picturesque year-round, so you can visit anytime. However, the Sahyadri range becomes truly captivating during the monsoon, transforming into a mesmerizing green wonderland. If you want to see the most beautiful summit of Lohagad Fort, visit between July and September.
If you visit the Fort in the summer, make sure to start early as the heat can be extreme. The Lohagad Fort timings for tourists are from 8 AM to 6 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.

How to Get There?

Lohagad Fort Route from Pune

The Route to Lohagad Fort depends on the transport mode you choose for travel. Here is the route guide if you are travelling by Car, train, or bus:

By Car:

There are two ways to reach Lohagad Fort’s base village: the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Both routes are good, but you might face a lot of traffic on weekends.
I traveled through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (NH48) to reach Lohagad Fort. This is the fastest and most convenient route. I started my journey at 6 AM from Baner, Pune, and got on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. I drove for about 60 km until I reached the Lonavala exit. Then, I took the exit for Lonavala/Khandala. From there, I headed towards Malavli village, about 7 km from Lonavala. At Malavli, I asked locals for directions to Lohagadwadi village.

By Train:

If you choose to travel to Lohagad Fort by train, you can take a local train to Malavli Railway Station, the nearest station to the Fort. After reaching Malavli Station, you can hire a taxi or auto, which are easily available for the Fort. The journey from Malavli to Lohagadwadi Village by auto will take 5-10 minutes. You can also walk this distance, which may take around 10-15 minutes.

By Bus:

Take a bus from Swargate bus station, Pune. Several ST buses run regularly from Swargate to Malavli via Mumbai-Pune Highway.
Once you reach Malavli bus station, you can take a local transport or shared taxi to the Base village of Lohagad trek.

Lohagad Fort Route from Mumbai

From Mumbai, there are two main routes by which you can comfortably reach Lohagad Fort:

Take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and exit at Lonavala. From Lonavala, head towards Malavli village, which is about 7 km away. From Malavli, follow the signs to Lohagad Fort, approximately 12 km further.
Alternatively, take the old Mumbai-Pune highway (NH48) to Lonavala. From there, follow the same route through Malavli village to reach the Fort.
The total distance from Mumbai to Lohagad Fort is around 95 km and typically takes about 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Parking Space

There is a designated parking area at the base of the lohagad trek Fort, near Lohagadwadi village. The parking is generally safe and can accommodate a good number of vehicles. However, during peak seasons or weekends, it may get crowded. It’s advisable to arrive early to secure a parking spot. Some local villagers also offer paid parking in their private spaces if the main parking area is full.
Remember to park your vehicle properly to avoid blocking the road or inconveniencing other visitors. From the parking area, you can start your trek to the Fort.

Lohagad trek distance and difficulty level

The total distance for climbing Lohagad Fort is approximately 5 kilometers. It may take around 1.5 to 2 hours, even if you are an average hiker. However, depending on your fitness level and speed, it may vary from person to person. The path is easy to follow and has stone steps most of the way.
I will categorize the Lohagad Fort trek difficulty level as easy for me as it is a stair climb. While not a long trek, the steep path can be challenging, especially in hot or rainy weather. Please do avoid wearing slippery shoes, slippers, or less grippy footwear, especially in the rainy season.

What to See In The Fort?

The main attractions of the Lohagad forts are:

• Four gates, including Maha Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja, and Narayan Darwaja
• Hanuman Tekdi: A small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
• Vinchu Kata (Scorpion’s Sting): A long and narrow wall extending from the Fort.
• Water Tanks for water storage at old times
• Panoramic view of Karla, Bhaja caves, and Pawna Lake

Nearby Places to the Lohagad Fort

what other places to visit near lohagad fort? Well, there are many! lohagad Trek is in Lonavala, which is a tourist hub. The view was incredible when we reached the top of the Lohagad fort. From the top, we could see the view of Bhaja caves, Pawna Lake, and Visapur Fort. All these places are stopovers, which you can cover during your Pune to Lohagad day trip. Here are more details about them:

1. Bhaja Caves

Located approximately 5 km from Lohagad trek, Bhaja Caves are popular Buddhist caves. These caves showcase ancient Buddhist cave designs over 2,000 years old. We spent 40-50 minutes here, taking many pictures of the carved stone art. Overall, this is a nice place to visit in Lonavala, especially for those interested in Art & history.

2. Karla Caves

Karla Caves are another set of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves near Lohagad Fort. These caves are a similarly breathtaking spectacle showcasing the advanced engineering techniques of ancient times. However, we were running late and spent less time at Karla Caves. If you ask me which to visit first, Bhaja or Karla, I would suggest Bhaja Caves as they are less crowded and clean.

3. Visapur Fort

The Fort is just 5 km from Lohagad Fort, which we covered in 15 minutes. The panoramic view from the top of Visapur Fort looks so surreal, especially in the monsoon. That is why it is one of the best trekking places near Pune and Mumbai. We took 45 minutes to complete the climb at Visapur Fort, which was tiring as we did it on the same day as the Lohagad Fort trek. But believe me, the view was incredible due to the lush green surroundings and vistas.

4. Pawna Lake

Pawna lake is popular for night camping and other water activities. Even spending a whole day here will not be enough. However, this tourist attraction near Lonavala is a great scenic lake for a peaceful break. The lake is surrounded by mountains from where you can enjoy incredible sunrise and sunset scenes of your life.

5. Tikona Fort

Tikona Fort is an another great trekking spot near Pawna Lake and Lohagad Fort. From the top, you can enjoy stunning views of Pawna Dam and the surrounding valleys. The hike is easy, and the scenery is magnificent. Entry to the Fort is free. If you’re traveling by your own vehicle, there’s no need to worry about parking—you can use the paid parking offered by local villagers at the base. After reaching the base village, there is a 45-minute hike to the Fort. At Tikona Fort, you can explore large doors, seven water tanks, temples, and the Satcahan Caves.

6. Korigad Fort

Located 32 km from Lohagad Fort, Korigad Fort is a hill fort. The Fort is at a height of around 920 meters above sea level. The top view from the Fort offers incredible lush green vistas of Aamby Valley City. It is an easy trek, requiring you to climb around 600 steps to reach the top of the Fort. During the monsoon season, water cascades down these steps, creating a beautiful scene. The area is lush with greenery. Once you reach the top, you’ll find a few small eateries where you can grab snacks like Maggi, onion pakoras, and tea.

7. Lonavala and Khandala

Lonavala and Khandala are famous tourist attractions near Pune. You can expect to see a lot of greenery throughout the year, waterfalls, viewpoints, and pleasant weather. It will be good if you plan a 1-2 days trip to explore it solely as these are good places to enjoy a break with the natural surroundings.

Things to Carry During The Trek

When you planning a trek to the Lonavala fort, make sure to carry a few essential things:

• ID Card – Always important.
• 2 litres of water – Stay hydrated.
• Trekking Shoes – Comfortable shoes for walking.
• Enerzyl Powder or Glucon D powder – For extra energy.
• Snacks & Biscuits – To keep you fueled.
• Extra Pair of Clothes – In case you get wet.
• Clean napkin or small towel – For drying off.
• Raincoat/Poncho/Wind cheater – Instead of an umbrella.
• Cap, sunglasses, scarf – For sun protection.
• Haversack or Backpack – No sling bags.
• Camera (Optional) – To capture memories.
• Medicines – Any personal medicines you need.
• Hand Sanitizer, Mosquito Repellent – To stay clean and bug-free.