Guide to Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort is also known as an iron fort. It is located near Lonavala which is a popular hill station. It is believed to be built by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the 18th century. It is one of the favorite places for those who like trekking and hiking. Trekking to Lohagad is simple and not difficult for people who are trekking for the first time. They will easily trek to this fort. The architecture here is very old. It has been since the eighteenth century. The architecture of Lohagad is admirable. Earlier there was Marathas empire control over here. Its height is three thousand four hundred feet. It is believed that Chhatrapati Shivaji kept his treasures in Lohagad Fort.

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History of Lohagad Fort

Lohagad fort has a huge history. It was built in the 18th century by guru Gobind Singh Ji. Earlier it was occupied by various dynasties such as Chalukyas, Yadavs, Nizams, Marathas, and Mughals. Chhatrapati Shivaji was forced to surrender this fort to Mughals though it was captured by Shivaji. Later he again recaptured it. It is believed that Shivaji used to keep his treasures in it. Later Nana Phadnavis at the time of Peshwa lived here for some time. He also got a lot of structures built in the fort. It has now been declared a protected monument by the government of India.

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Lohagad fort Lonavala

If you think lohagad fort is situated in Lonavala, then it needs to be corrected to you that it is situated near Lonavala. Most people search by putting Lohagad fort Lonavala. It is not correct but not totally wrong also. You can search by putting Maharashtra, and Pune after it also.

Lohagad fort trek

The trek to this fort is easy. Nature lovers and first-time trekkers will enjoy it. There are two routes for the trek to Lohagad Fort. One of the easiest routes is by driving to Lohagawadi which is a base village. Then keep walking till the fort. This route will not take much of your time.

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The other route is to reach a village that is a few kilometers (5-6) from Malawali called Bhaje. Then you need to keep walking till you reach a place which may confuse you known as Gaumukh Khand. Now For reaching Lohagad you need to turn left and then walk up to the stairs of the fort.

Altitude and distance

Lohagad Fort is 3389 feet i.e one thousand thirty-three meters above sea level. It is located near hill station Lonavala and is at a distance of 54 km from Pune.

How to reach Lohagad Fort

There are three ways by which you can reach Lohagad Fort By bus, train, and air.

By bus

You will not find buses directly from Pune to Lohagad. There are busses till Lonavala. So you need to go to Lonavala first from there you can take a cab to Lohagad.

By train

The other way to reach Lohagad fort is by train. This route is also simple. You can get the train to Lonavala from Pune or Mumbai. Then After reaching Lonavala you can take the train to Malavli station. From Malavli you can take a cab to Lohagad fort. The fort is at a distance of five km from Malavli.

By Air

Going Lohagad by Air is not that simple. As there is no direct flight from Pune to Lohagad. Instead, the nearest airport from Lohagad is far from the fort it is sixty-five km away from Lohagad. After reaching there you can either go to Malavli Station and from their trek to Lohagad fort which takes up to four hours or you can directly take a cab to Lohagad fort.

Best time to Visit Lohagad fort

In summer the temperature ranges from 23 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius. which means it will be quite hot in this weather. Where for some monsoon season is considered to be their favorite as the weather is very nice at that time. The surroundings become fresh and on the top of the fort, there are a lot of pools so you can even swim there.

But in monsoon, the roads are very slippery so if you can manage that you can consider monsoon.

But the best time to visit Lohagad is from June to February. The weather in these months is very pleasant and comforting at the same time which makes it perfect for treks.

Timings of Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort is open from 9:00 am to 6:30 am. It is open throughout the week.

Entry fees to Lohagad Fort

Entry to Lohagad Fort is free. There is no entry fee for visiting Lohagad Fort.

Parking Charges in Lohagad Fort

The parking charge for two-wheelers is rupees 20. Charges for car parking are rupees 50 and for bus parking, it is rupees 80.

Places to visit near Lohagad Fort

There are a lot of must-visit places near Lohagad fort. If you have time in your pocket. You can consider visiting these places such as:-

Narayani Dham Temple

Narayani Dham temple was built in the year 2002 and is in Lonavala which is nearby Lohagad Fort. As the name suggests this temple is devoted to Ma Narayani. This temple is very popular. Its infrastructure is also very beautiful it is made with white marble.

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Della Adventure Park

Della Adventure Park is a must-visit if you want to have fun. This place has a lot of fun adventures. They offer complete safety. They have a lot of fun activities such as sky cycling, paintball and so much more. They have a lot of other luxury experiences available.

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Bhaja Caves

Bhaja caves are located in Bhaja village which is nearby Lohagad. These are 300 feet above the village. To reach Bhaja caves you have to walk uphill two-thirty steps. The most interesting aspect about these caves is their cutouts. They have twenty-two cutouts which makes it look very beautiful.

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Pawna Lake

Pawana Lake is a very popular spot among tourists. It is an artificial lake. People mostly come here for camping.

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Celebrity wax museum

The celebrity wax museum is one of the most fun places nearby Lohagad. If you are coming with kids you must visit this museum. This museum has statues of celebrities made up by local artisans over there. Your kids will love taking selfies here.

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Visapur fort

Visapur fort is near Lonavala and a few kilometers from Pune. This fort is nearby Visapur village. The trek to Visapur is one of the most fun and thrilling trek. You can find beautiful waterfalls here.

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Food options in Lohagad fort

You will find some hotels and stalls at the base of Lohagad. Where you will find mostly Maharashtrian cuisine. You will find dishes like Kanda bhaji, vada pav, etc. You will also find some magi stalls. But you will not find food stalls or food joints inside Lohagad fort. So it is advised that you should carry snacks with you.

Things you should carry to Lohagad Fort

Whenever you go trekking. You should always carry essentials with you. To make your work easy. Here is a list that will help you. It is as follows –

Masks and sanitizers are a must especially at the time of covid.
You should carry Sun cap and sunscreen to prevent sun damage and tanning.
Don’t carry normal shoes, instead wear sports or trekking shoes.
Carry some snacks and dry fruits.
Medicines are a must no matter where you go. Carry all the essential medicines.
You should also carry ORS or glucose.
A good torch is essential. Do not forget to carry an extra battery.
Carry essential documents such as identity proof.

Factors to keep in mind when visiting Lohagad Fort

The internet connectivity is not high speed. You can expect basic connectivity.
You will not find food joints at the fort. There are some stalls available. It is better if you carry your food.
You will not find ATMs nearby Lohagad fort. The last ATM that you can find will be in Lonavala.
Try to wear full clothes. You should come covered especially when you are treKking. It will save you from insects and sun damage as well.
Pregnant women, senior citizens, or someone with medical conditions should avoid coming to Lohagad fort. As trekking can make you tired and is not suitable for old people, pregnant women as well as people with medical conditions.
You should wear rainy jackets if you are coming at the time of monsoon.
You can find guided tours to load.

Final verdict

Lohagad Fort is a site of UNESCO world heritage which is located near a beautiful hill station Lonavala. It is suitable for trekking and nature enthusiasts will love this place. The trekking to Lohagad fort is very simple so first-time trekkers won’t find it difficult. There are various ways by which you can travel to Lohagad Fort such as Bus, Air and train. You can find various attractions to visit in Lohagad Fort as well as near Lohagad fort such as Narayani Dham Temple, Della adventure park, Visapur fort and many more. When visiting Lohagad Fort you should carry essentials and also keep certain factors in mind that are mentioned in the article above.