Pune has one of the best weekend setups in India: the Sahyadri forts are an hour or two away, the trails are old and well walked, and from October to February the weather is on your side. If you have been meaning to start trekking, this is the season. Here are three beginner-friendly forts to start with, roughly in order of effort, and how to make sure you actually go.
1. Sinhagad — the classic first trek
Sinhagad is about 30 km south-west of the city, and the walk up from the base village is the trek most Punekars do first. The usual foot route takes around one and a half to two hours up. It is steep in places and rocky after rain, but the path is busy and easy to follow, and you can always stop for a breather. At the top: the fort, wide views over the Khadakwasla backwaters and the famous stalls.
- Effort: easy to moderate — steady climbing, nothing technical.
- Time: a half-day, including the drive.
- Getting there: by car or bike, or by bus from Swargate to the base.
- Start early: the trail gets crowded and hot by late morning, especially on weekends.
2. Lohagad — wide steps and big views
Lohagad is near Lonavala, a little over an hour from Pune by train or road. From the Malavli side, plan on roughly two hours to reach the top, much of it on a gentle road and then long stone stairways through the fort's gates. It is an easy introduction to how the Sahyadri forts are built, and the views of the Pawna lake and the Vinchu Kata ridge are worth the walk.
- Effort: easy — mostly steps and gentle slopes.
- Time: a half-day, or a full day if you add nearby Visapur or the Bhaje caves.
- Carry your own water and food: there is little on the fort itself.
- Small entry and parking charges may apply at the base.
3. Rajmachi — a long, gentle walk to twin forts
Rajmachi is for when you are ready for a full day out. The Lonavala side is long rather than hard: a mostly flat walk through forest and open plateau to Udhewadi village, then short climbs to the twin forts of Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. Count on several hours of walking each way if you start from Lonavala, or less if you drive part of the way. The Karjat side is steeper and better left for later.
- Effort: easy terrain, long distance — stamina matters more than skill.
- Time: a full day; many people stay overnight in the village.
- Pick the Lonavala route for a first visit.
- Leave a buffer: you want to be off the trail well before dark.
Before you go: check the rules
Fort access around Pune changes with the seasons. During heavy monsoon, district authorities often close forts, waterfalls and dams to visitors for weeks at a time, and individual forts sometimes shut for repairs. Opening hours and small entry fees also vary by fort. Before you set off, check the latest notice from the Pune district administration or the local forest office, and ask at the base village. Camping on the forts themselves is not allowed.
What to carry
- Two litres of water per person, more in the afternoon heat.
- Shoes with real grip — the rock gets slippery after rain.
- Snacks with salt and sugar for the way down.
- A cap and a light layer; the wind on top is cooler than the city.
- A charged phone, and someone at home who knows your plan.
Don't go alone — and don't let that stop you
The most common reason first treks never happen is simple: nobody is free that weekend. Going with someone is also the safer way to start — two people on a trail can share water, spot a wrong turn, and get help if an ankle rolls.
On Alongo you post a plan — Sinhagad, Saturday, 6 am start — and a verified partner nearby who wants to do the same trek can accept it. Every partner is ID-verified, matching is same-gender by default, chat stays in the app, and you meet at the base in a public place with your plan shared. Pick one of the three, post your plan, and this is the weekend you finally go.
Strictly platonic, 18+. Alongo is an activities marketplace — meet in public, keep chat in-app, and look after each other.