Lohagad Fort (meaning "Iron Fort" in Marathi) is a hill fort near Lonavala in Pune district, Maharashtra, standing at 1,033 metres (3,389 feet). A UNESCO World Heritage-listed Maratha fort, it's known for its four great gateways, the scorpion-tail ridge called Vinchu Kata, and views over Pawna Lake and its twin fort, Visapur. The trek is easy and beginner-friendly — about a 45-minute to 1-hour climb from the base village of Lohagadwadi — making it one of the most popular one-day fort treks near Mumbai and Pune. The fort is open daily and is best visited in the monsoon and winter.
About Lohagad Fort
Lohagad, meaning "Iron Fort" in Marathi, is one of the most popular and accessible hill forts near Lonavala. Rising to 1,033 metres (3,389 feet) above sea level, about 52 km northwest of Pune, it sits on a small range connecting it to its twin, Visapur Fort — a ridge that divides the Indrayani and Pavana river basins and overlooks the scenic Pawna Lake to the south.
Lohagad's most striking feature is the Vinchu Kata (Scorpion's Tail) — a long, narrow fortified spur extending northwest from the fort, named for its resemblance to a scorpion's sting. Its four great gateways remain remarkably intact, and the fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Maratha Military Landscapes. Easy to climb and rich in history, Lohagad is one of the best beginner fort treks near Mumbai and Pune.
Lohagad Fort History
Lohagad has a long and storied past, passing through the Lohtamia, Satavahana, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Yadava, Bahamani, Nizam, and Mughal dynasties. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648, lost it to the Mughals under the Treaty of Purandar in 1665, and recaptured it in 1670, using it to store the treasury after the Battle of Surat. In the later Peshwa period, Nana Phadnavis used the fort, building several structures including a stepwell and the Laxmi Kothi, where his treasury was kept.
Things to See at Lohagad Fort
You reach the top by a series of stone steps, passing through the fort's four magnificent gateways:
Ganesh Darwaja — the first gate
Narayan Darwaja — the second, with old granaries nearby
Hanuman Darwaja — the third and most ancient of all the gates
Maha Darwaja — the grand fourth gate, beyond which lie an old Dargah and the remnants of the court
Inside, you'll find the Laxmi Kothi (which held Nana Phadnavis's treasury), old cannons, water cisterns, and — the highlight — the Vinchu Kata , a 1,500-metre-long, 30-metre-wide fortified ridge that once served as a watchpost over the surrounding region.
Lohagad Fort Trek Details
Trek location: Lohagad Fort (Lohagad Killa), near Malavli & Lonavala, Pune district
Twin fort: Visapur (Lohagad-Visapur twin forts)
Base village: Lohagadwadi
Fort height: 1,033 metres (3,389 feet)
Difficulty grade: Easy — ideal for beginners and families
Climb time: About 45 minutes to 1 hour from Lohagadwadi (around 2 hours from Malavli)
Trek distance: Around 5 km total
Trek type: Fort trail with stone steps
Best season: Monsoon (June–September) and winter (October–February)
Nearest railway station: Malavli (local), Lonavala (express)
Distance from Mumbai: ~100 km
Distance from Pune: ~66 km
Duration: One day
Cost for Lohagad Fort Trek
Option 1 — From Mumbai (AC Bus): ₹1,599 per person Includes Mumbai-to-Mumbai travel by private AC bus, 1 veg breakfast and 1 veg lunch, trek leader, and entry charges.
Option 2 — From Pune (Bus): ₹1,399 per person Includes Pune-to-Pune travel by private non-AC bus, 1 veg breakfast and 1 veg lunch, trek leader, and entry charges.
Option 3 — Without Transport (meet at Lonavala): ₹899 per person For those coming by train or own vehicle. Includes 1 veg breakfast and 1 veg lunch, trek leader, and entry charges. Travel to and from Lonavala is on your own.
Lohagad Fort Trek Itinerary — From Mumbai
Day One
06:00 AM — Meet at Borivali National Park main gate. ( Map )
06:10 AM — Depart for the trek.
06:20 AM — Pickup at Virwani Bus Stop, Goregaon. ( Map )
06:30 AM — Pickup at Gundavali Bus Stop, Andheri East. ( Map )
06:40 AM — Pickup at Kalanagar Bus Stop, Bandra. ( Map )
06:45 AM — Pickup at Sion Station Circle. ( Map )
07:00 AM — Pickup at Diamond Garden, Chembur. ( Map )
07:25 AM — Pickup at Vashi Plaza. ( Map )
07:55 AM — Pickup at McDonald's, Kalamboli. ( Map )
10:00 AM — Reach the base village of Lohagadwadi and have breakfast.
10:30 AM — Begin the ascent through the fort's four historic gateways towards the top.
12:00 PM — Reach the top, explore the Vinchu Kata ridge, the gates, cannons, and views over Pawna Lake.
01:00 PM — Begin the descent.
03:00 PM — Reach the base village and have lunch.
04:00 PM — Start the return journey towards Lonavala by bus.
04:30 PM — Reach Lonavala and proceed to Mumbai.
08:00 PM — Approximate arrival in Mumbai.
Lohagad Fort Trek Itinerary — From Pune
An easy one-day fort trek from Pune, perfect for a quick weekend escape near Lonavala.
Day One
05:45 AM — Meet at U.S. Polo, JM Road, Deccan. ( Map )
06:00 AM — Depart towards the base village.
06:20 AM — Pickup at Chandni Chowk. ( Map )
06:30 AM — Pickup at Balewadi Stadium. ( Map )
06:40 AM — Pickup at Wakad Bridge. ( Map )
06:50 AM — Pickup at Santosa Resort, Ravet. ( Map )
08:30 AM — Reach the base village of Lohagadwadi and have breakfast.
09:00 AM — Begin the ascent through the fort's historic gateways.
10:00 AM — Reach the top, explore the Vinchu Kata ridge, gates, and panoramic views.
12:00 PM — Begin the descent.
01:00 PM — Reach the base village and start the return journey towards Pune.
En route — Halt for lunch (on your own).
06:00 PM — Approximate arrival in Pune (depending on traffic).
How to Book
Click the "Book Now" button.
Select your departure date, then tap Pay and Book .
Choose your ticket type and quantity. If you have a coupon code, apply it here.
Fill in your personal details.
Review your booking and proceed to payment.
Pay using UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking to confirm.
After You Book
You'll receive a confirmation by email, so please enter a valid email ID.
A WhatsApp group link is sent to your number about 8 hours before departure — add a valid WhatsApp number while booking.
All trek details and your trek leader's contact will be shared in that WhatsApp group
Please Note
Participants may board the same train from whichever station is most convenient for them.
Missing the train means missing the Lohagad trek, and no refund will be provided.
If you book the wrong date or batch and wish to change it within 3 days of departure, a transfer charge of ₹200 per person will apply.
Wear trekking shoes with a good grip — the stone steps are slippery during the monsoon.
Carry enough drinking water for the climb.
Places included in this trip from Pune.
Per person
₹1,399
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