Maharashtra is home to one of the beautiful hill stations – Lonavala. Lying in the heart of the state, there are many thrilling places to visit in Lonavala. The hill station offers a stunning view of open sky and rugged mountains.
It is a paradise for thrill-seekers and travellers looking for a heavenly weekend getaway. As the location is filled with various natural waterfalls, dams and mountains, you can relax in your hotel or go out to seek activities for an adrenaline rush!
Lonavala is the hub for delicious Chikkis (a sweet delight) available in various flavours. The Lonavala market is where travellers can explore multiple items as souvenirs for loved ones. You can browse a plethora of fudges available in chocolate, coconut, strawberry and mango flavours.
Since the hill station is home to the Mapro Garden, a variety of Mapro juices, milkshakes, chocolates and jellies are available at the market. You can find mouth-watering vada pav stalls, small shops selling wooden artefacts and hand-worked items. Traditional wear, jutti and glass vessels are also found at the main market.
To make your trip more exciting, we’re all set to host you at the best of our hotels in Lonavala.
1. Tiger’s Leap
Also known as the Tiger Point, it is one of the breath-taking places to visit in Lonavala. The cliff top resembles the shape of a tiger leaping into the vast valley; hence, the name is derived from this reference. The Tiger’s leap is located at 8 Kms distance from the main hill station.
This major tourist attraction is a cliff top that offers views of huge mountains wrapped in a blanket of lush greenery. Most travellers visit the destination to witness the glowing sunrise and sunset. You can spot calming colours creating a gorgeous combination in the sky. Echo Point is also another location in proximity to the Tiger’s Leap.
2. Bhaja Caves
Do you wish to dive into the world of history and ancient architecture? If yes, you must consider one of the historical places to visit in Lonavala. Bhaja Caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to ancient history. You need to climb uphill to reach the main caves of Bhaja.
These caves depict architectural beauty through sculptures and stupas. You can also explore the cascading Bhaja fall located inside the caves. You can spot approximately 14 stupas dating back to the first century BC.
You cannot miss the beautiful Lonavala lake on the outskirts of the hill station. It is also called the monsoon lake as it quickly fills during the season. Travellers get an opportunity to enjoy the refreshing air while sipping on Chai available at small stalls.
It is also a beautiful picnic spot for swimming and observing nature. While you enjoy the peaceful views, you can also enjoy hot vada pav and bhutta (Corn) at the destination.
4. Karla Caves
Karla caves is a great destination to understand ancient Buddhism and its practices. It is located 14.9 km from Lonavala. This famous attraction in Lonavala also happens to be one of the oldest cave shrines of Buddhism.
It is one of the heavenly places to visit in Lonavala and houses Ekvira Temple in the interiors. You can spot a Buddhist monastery built in the ancient era around the 2nd century BC. Travellers need to climb upward to reach the main destination.
5. Visapur Fort
The first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, Balaji Vishwanath, constructed Visapur Fort between 1713 and 1720 CE. Visapur Fort, standing atop a verdant plateau, is a popular excursion site for both nature lovers and explorers.
It is an ideal place to trek in the rainy season with your group of people. The trek takes around 2 hours to reach the top. During monsoon, you might get a chance to experience water flowing through the path of the trek. You can savour maggi and tea at the top of the hill.
6. Tikona Fort
This fort is 3633 feet above sea level and is located on top of the Tikona peak. It is 36 Kms from the main hill station of Lonavala. Even the gateway of Tikona Fort exudes rich culture and heritage. This fort offers one of the simpler hikes in Maharashtra.
The path is wide and extremely safe for travellers seeking adventure for the first time. You can witness the breath-taking views of the Pawna Dam and other forts from the top.
If you’re a history buff then you should surely check Top 10 breathtaking palaces and forts of India that you should not miss
7. Bhushi Dam
Bhushi Dam is a masonry dam on the Indrayani River. It was constructed in the late 1860s as the primary water source for the Great Indian Peninsular Railway’s steam engines. When at this hill station, this is one of the top places to visit in Lonavala.
During monsoon, the water overflows the steps of Bhushi Dam, making it ideal for travellers to sit and experience lush greenery. Small stalls near the steps have maggi, egg, corn and other snacks to munch on.
8. Pawna Lake
Pawna Lake is a reservoir turned artificial lake often referred to as Pavana Dam Reservoir. Pawna lake is home to beautiful campsites and you cannot miss the camping experience here. This beautiful campground is surrounded by foggy Western Ghat valleys and is set in a thick green setting.
As the site is present in the lake area, you can enjoy free kayaking and boating. Campsites also offer barbecue, food options, and safe tents for a relaxed stay.
To make the most of your weekend, you can also check 8 Haunted Places in India Which Are Not for the Faint-Hearted.
9. Lohagad Fort
One of the Maratha Empire’s best-built forts is 68 kilometres from Pune and 89 kilometres from Mumbai. This fort is situated at an altitude of 3,388 feet. Lohagad is one of the greenest forts in the state of Maharashtra.
During the monsoon, everything is lush and green at the hilltop. Most adventure seekers choose Lohagad fort due to its perfect geographical setting. It is ideal for a one-day trek where you can watch the splendour of nature.
10. Rajmachi Fort
One of the beautiful places to visit in Lonavala is the thrilling Rajmachi Fort. This is a popular location for trekking expeditions to seek adventure and explore the historical charm. The fort is home to two stronghold forts – Shrivardhan and Manaranjan.
This is a popular location for trekking expeditions to seek adventure and explore the historical charm. The fort is home to two stronghold forts – Shrivardhan and Manaranjan.
You can easily reach this destination by travelling 16 Kms from the Lonavala hill station. The fort also offers amazing camping experiences during the winter and summer seasons.
At the top, travellers get an opportunity to witness the exotic Kataldhar waterfall paving its way to your hearts. As you now have the list of the best places to visit in Lonavala, you can truly enjoy the hill station with relevant information in hand.
Take rides through the chilly weather, shop from the locals and witness the beauty of the destination. So if you’re planning a relaxing getaway, Lonavala is indeed a great destination.
It offers comfortable stays, mouth-watering food, lakes, greenery, forts and caves. What awaits you? Go and get a soothing experience at Lonavala.
