Located at an altitude of 622 m in the Sahyadri Ranges, Lonavala is a breathtaking hill station in Maharashtra that separates the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan Coast. It is one of the popular hill stations in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit near Mumbai and Pune. This splendid hill station is blessed with a picturesque landscape, fabulous greenery, majestic mountains, scenic waterfalls, magnificent lakes, and ancient caves. Besides, there are several historical forts to explore in and around Lonavala. Flaunting brilliant architectural designs and surrounded by lush green environs, the magnificent forts near Lonavala not only offer tourists a deep insight into the rich Maratha history but also offer spellbinding panoramic views of the surroundings and trekking opportunities as part of Lonavala tour packages.
Here is the list of some majestic forts in & around Lonavala.
Rajmachi Fort
Lies at an altitude of 2710 feet, this historical Rajmachi Fort dating back to the time of the great Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji is located amidst the lush green Sahyadri range near Lonavala and is one of the most sought-after places for trekking in Maharashtra where you can experience nature at her varying moods. The fort consists of two citadels namely Shrivardhan and Manaranjan Forts. Surrounded by a wide plateau, the fort complex has huge ramparts, strong walls, massive gateways, residential units, water reservoirs, administrative centers, and secret gates for the exit. Regarded as one of the top Lonavala tourist places, this is the best place for those who want to spend a weekend in the lap of nature’s unbound beauty and participate in some engaging fun activities. The fort is famous among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts as the trekking trail pass through several waterfalls, deep gorges and valleys, quaint villages, and many more to feast your eyes.
Also Read : Best Places for Trekking in Maharashtra
Lohagad Fort
Snuggled at a height of 3400 feet in the Sahyadri mountains, Lohagad Fort is a historical fort situated near Lonavala. It is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala and among the popular places of heritage in Maharashtra. The fort was built by Guru Govind Singh in 1564 CE to serve as a prison. Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648 CE, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 CE by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort in 1670 CE and later it was used by the Peshwas. Designed in the shape of the tail of a scorpion, the fort has four entrances namely Maha Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja and Narayan Darwaja. Lohagad Fort is one of the ideal places for trekking near Pune & Mumbai packages because of its accessibility, ease of trek, and lush green surroundings. This fort offers aerial views of Karla, Bhaja caves, and Pawna Lake.
Must Visit : Tourist Places to visit near Mumbai
Visapur Fort
Visapur Fort is a historical hill fort situated at Visapur village in Pune district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places for trekking in Lonavala and among the best weekend getaways from Pune and Mumbai. A part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification, this gigantic architectural marvel features ancient caves, arches, cisterns of water and the ruins of a large stone built house known as the Peshwa’s palace. As Hanuman is considered to be the patron deity of Visapur, a huge carving of Hanuman and several temples scattered all over the place. With an elevation of 1084 meters, trekking to the summit of Visapur Fort is an unforgettable adventure for everyone. Though the climb is a rocky one, the trek is serene that takes around 2.5 to 3 hours long each way. From the summit, one can get some phenomenal views of the surrounding lush green hills.
Also Read : Spectacular Vantage Points in Lonavala
Tikona Fort
Tikona Fort, also known as Triangle Fort, is a dominant hill fort located in the Maval region of Lonavala in Maharashtra. Perched at an altitude of 3633 feet, it is one of the top trekking places to visit near Pune and among the top Lonavala tourist places. Built in a triangular shape, the fort comprises of numerous tanks and lakes, which served as the main source of water in earlier days. Also, the fort is enclosed with the famous Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple along with enchanting Buddhist and Satvahan caves. One can reach the fort either through trek or through motorable road till the base of the fort. From here, one needs to climb 100 odd stairs which are very steep. The trek takes 1 to 1.5 hours from the fort base and the difficulty level is easy. One can have a splendid view of adjacent Tung Fort, Pawna dam, Lohagad Fort and Visapur Fort from the top of the fort.
Book Here : Pune Tour
Tung Fort
Situated near Pawna Dam, Tung Fort is an ancient hill fort located at an altitude of 1075 m. Surrounded by water on three sides, it is one of the best Lonavala attractions and also among the well-known places to visit near Pune as part of Maharashtra packages. Built by the Adil Shahi Dynasty in 1600, the fort is conical and consists of strongly fortified walls, ramparts and also has several bastions. The fort premise also has a rocky staircase that opens to a water cistern. A steep climb on grassy slopes leads to the ruins of a temple at the summit. Also, one can get a clear view of the forts of Korigad, Tikona, Visapur and Lohagad from the top of Tung Fort. Since Tungi is the base village for the Tung Fort trek, one can reach this village from Pawna dam by boat. From here, reaching this fort entrance requires a 400-metre climb that takes around 1 hour to reach the summit.
Must Visit : Top weekend getaways from Mumbai
Korigad Fort
Situated at an altitude of 929 m, Korigad, also called Koraigad, is a magnificent hill fort in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular forts near Lonavala, among the top hill stations near Mumbai. The fort is believed to have been built in the 1500 BC. There is a huge plateau on top of the fort. On the fort, there is a temple of Goddess Korai Devi and the idol is around 4 feet. Also, there are 6 cannons, two more temples, lakes, and two caves. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the adjacent meadows, verdant green woods, and sweeping views of the adjoining hills. This fort is frequented by tourists, backpackers, and adventure enthusiasts. Tourists need to climb 500 steps from the base of the fort, and it takes around an hour to reach the top of the fort.
Must Visit : Hill Stations near Pune