Weekend Getaways around Pune and Mumbai

Lohgad is one of the two forts which guarded the earlier trade route between Kalyan and Nalasopara harbors & markets of Deccan plateau (other fort being Rajmachi). Today, most of the forts are in dilapidated state; however Lohgad is still in much better condition. For trekker's Lohgad should be a real treat to visit giving a wonderful panoramic view from its top.

Lohgad is situated about 5 Km. from Malavali station. From Mumbai, first one should reach Lonavala by any Central-Southern Mail/Express, catch a local train from Lonavala to Malavali. From Pune, people can catch any local to Lonavala and get down at Malvali. From Malavali one can catch a rickshaw to Bhaje village. 1½ hours walk from Bhaje will lead to Lohgadwadi. Around 15 min walk from Lohgadwadi will take you to the top.

From a trek point of view, Lohgad is just a hike. People are even able to drive up to Lohgadwadi. But even then Lohgad has a charm of its own.

Being a well preserved fort the entrance to the fort is in good condition. The fortifications are also quite good. There are some stone-scripts (Shilalekh) in the den, the only place where night stay can be made on Lohgad. There is a mosque atop Lohgad. From Lohgad, Tung and Tikona hills are seen to the South; Dukes nose to the West, Pavana dam offers a wonderful view in the South direction. Lohgad trek could be supplemented by Visapur trek, Bhaje caves & Karla caves in two days programme. The schedule for completing this trek is as follows:

• Reach Lonavala by Indrayani or Deccan Express in the morning.
• Come to Malavali by local train. Catch a rickshaw for Bhaje village. Reach Bhaje caves within 15 minutes. Have a lunch there and leave for Lohgad.
• Reach atop Lohgad by 4:00-4:30 p.m. Have a look around the fort, stay in the den (on the right side(valley side) just after Ganesh Darwaja.)
• Leave Lohgad early in the morning (at about 7:00 a.m.) come down and go to Visapur. Reach Visapur by 10:00-10:30a.m. Take a look around and have your lunch at Visapur.
• Leave Visapur and come to Bhaje by 1:00-1:30 p.m. catch a rickshaw and go to Karla caves (opposite of railway station). Have a look around the caves for an hour.
• Come down and catch a bus or six seater to Lonavala. Get into Deccan Express (4:25 p.m.), Udyan Express (5:10p.m.) or Koyna Express (5:20 p.m.) and reach Mumbai.

The aerial view of Lohgad resembles that of a Scorpion, and the traverse on the scorpion tail is a treat during the monsoons. It becomes quite slippery in that section and one has to be watchful while climbing down on a small patch while trying to reach the tip.

Another interesting spot is the Wind spot just at the entrance of the fort. The wind speeds on the entrance, facing the Pawna Lake, are quite high – literally picking you up from your feet.

Click Here to see the GPS map of Lohgad, Visapur and Bhaje Caves.

Also see another map detailing about the tourist spots in the lonavala region.

Click Here to see the photos of Lohgad Fort during monsoons.