Forts near Lonavala

Lonavala, a scenic hill station in the Sahyadris, is a haven for nature lovers and history buffs alike. Its lush valleys and misty hills are home to numerous forts, making trekking near Lonavala a go to experience. What makes them even more exciting is the trek through forests and rugged trails that lead to these historic marvels. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best treks where adventure and history come together for an unforgettable experience.

Rajmachi Fort
 

This is one of the most historic forts near Lonavala. Situated right between Karjat and Lonavala, the 16-km trek offers scenic views of the valleys. The Manaranjan Fort and Shriwardhan Fort, at a height of 2,700 ft. and 2,958 ft. above sea level respectively, come together to form the Rajmachi Fort area. Visit the historic sites of the battles between the Marathas and Mughals during this trek. The fort is also renowned for the rare sight of fireflies during dusk.

A fortress ruin perched on a rocky hill, with a bare tree in the foreground and a clear blue sky above.
A stone fortification on a lush green hillside, surrounded by rugged terrain and a bright blue sky.

Lohagad Fort
 

This is one of the best-preserved forts in Maharashtra. Situated at a height of 3,389 feet above sea level, this fort has been standing since the 12th century and has seen history pass through itself, with the Chanukyas, Yadavas, Marathas, and Mughals having reigned over it at different points in history. With a 45-minute trek to the top of the fort, this is one of the easiest treks on this list. Enjoy ecstatic views and melodies of the wind, making the experience of visiting the fort worthwhile. The timing for the fort is from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

Visapur Fort
 

Set amidst a serene setting of clouds, the Visapur Fort is one of the largest forts in Lonavala. The trek to Visapur Fort goes through jungles and rocky fields, even offering majestic views of waterfalls along the way. During monsoon, the trek becomes an appropriate adventure for all trekking enthusiasts. Built in the 18th century by Balaji Vishwanath, a former Peshwa of the Maratha empire, the fort was extremely significant during the British Rule. The fort is at a height of 3,556 ft. above sea level, along with scenic views, and is preceded by a two-hour trek.

A scenic view of an ancient fort on a hilltop, overlooking a city with distant mountains in the background.
A historic watchtower with intricate architecture, illuminated by sunlight against a clear sky.

Tung Fort
 

Tung Fort is one of the most difficult forts near Lonavala to trek. Built by the Adil Shahi Dynasty before 1600 CE, the fort was later conquered by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Tung Fort is at a height of 3,527 ft. and goes through a steep climb. The trek is short but is named “Kathingad”, which means difficult in Marathi. The fort was built as a watchtower to look over enemies moving towards Lohagad and Lonavala.

Duke's Nose
 

This is an easy two-hour-long trek that has no forts at the peak but offers breathtaking views. Named after the former British governor, William Duke, this place is also known as ‘Nagphani’ because of its shape and appearance, like a snake’s hood and has a temple at the top. At the top of the hill, there is also a cable car service which you can avail of.

View of Sahyadri hill ranges with cloudy sky in the background.

Now that we come to the end of our list, when you do visit Lonavala, make sure to stay at Dukes Retreat, Khandala. After a tiring day’s adventure, what you deserve is a relaxing room to unwind and rest. Our property provides luxurious stays amidst the nature. Our property is also placed right in the centre of these locations, providing easy accessibility to each trek. Visit Dukes Retreat, Khandala and experience nature and history like never before.

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