Maharashtra is such a huge state – with hill stations, metropolitans, serene valleys and the Arabian Sea. Such vastness might lead us to miss some extremely significant places. Offbeat, less favored yet supremely beautiful is how we can define Kolad.
While we are very much familiar with towns like Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, very few of us have heard of Kolad. Not to worry as we will get a glimpse of all the top places to visit in Kolad and the activities you can engage yourself in while exploring this offbeat town.
What more can be said and done about the natural abundance Kolad has! The below mentioned places try to summarize it. Seek to know? Scroll through!
9 Best Places To Visit In Kolad
The Sahyadri mountain range sustains much of Kolad’s natural splendor. Rivers, valleys and lakes overpower your rejuvenation rounds. With that being said, here is a list of places to visit in Kolad that must be on your priority list:
- Kundalika River – Known For Rafting
- Tamhini Ghat – The Lush And Misty Hill
- Bhira Dam – God’s Heavenly Place
- Ghosala Fort – Where Ruins Watch The Valley
- Kuda Caves – A Touch Of Buddhism
- Sutarwadi Lake – A Pristine Destination
- Plus Valley – Add It To Trekking List
- Talgad Fort – Watch The Trade Routes
- Devkund Waterfall – Heaven Within The Valley
1. Kundalika River – Known For Rafting
Image Credits: Samy for Wikimedia
A small river flowing through the town from the hills of Sahyadri and flowing directly to the Arabian Sea. The waters are clear and have enough flow in them to initiate the best river rafting in Maharashtra. With one of the few spots offering the sport, river rafting in Kolad has gained a lot of sport for its exclusivity. The rafting potential has also given rise to lodges, resorts and other recreational spots around the Kundalika river.
2. Tamhini Ghat – The Lush And Misty Hill
Image Credits: Abhijeet Safai for Wikimedia
Known for its exquisite beauty and signifying the signature lush green cover of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Tamhini Ghat is a world of its own. It is a small mountain passage located between Mulshi and Tamhini. The ghat is popular for the extremely rich surroundings including lakes, dense woods and waterfalls. The misty views are a gem during the monsoon and winter visits which is likely the best time to visit Kolad.
3. Bhira Dam – God’s Heavenly Place
The Bhira Dam is a popular destination and one of the best places to visit in Kolad for picnics. Established in the year 1927, the dam offers an abundance of natural abode with a reservoir that is used for boating as well as irrigation purposes. We bet you can get a shot or two of the beautiful Devkund Waterfalls located nearby. Being a favorable area to set up camps, Bhira Dam area is also popular as one of the best spots for camping in Maharashtra.
4. Ghosala Fort – Where Ruins Watch The Valley
Image Credits: Lynn Greyling for Pixabay
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Another amazing place to visit in Kolad is the Ghosala fort. The fort has seen history right from the time of the Shivaji empire as it served to keep a watch on enemies and the trade routes. There is a long fortification around the narrow strip of the fort which is still in good condition. You will also find rock-cut water cisterns and caves used to escape during enemy invasion. In short, you can spend a good couple of hours here while additionally enjoying the views from the top.
5. Kuda Caves – A Touch Of Buddhism
The Kuda caves are one of the best places to visit in Kolad, if not the best. You explore somewhere around 26 Buddhist rock-cut caves which are small, simple and intricately excavated in first century B.C. The history lovers and archaeologists will like the stupa, the inscriptions, reliefs and a guardian elephant. The wonderful architecture is a hidden gem of the place. Being extremely old, you will learn the first Buddhist teachings which is all the more reason to visit this rare place.
6. Sutarwadi Lake – A Pristine Destination
Image Credits: Deepak Kumar for Pixabay
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
From a historical place to a natural, serene destination, there is no dearth of places to visit in Kolad. The Sutarwadi Lake is still in its pristine condition and surrounded by quaint hills and wildlife that are perfect for someone looking for an offbeat time. You can set up camp while gazing at the sunrise and sunset and hear the sound of birds chirping in the morning, something that is missing from our everyday life. The beautiful spot is also a paradise if you are a photographer. So, click them shots today!
7. Plus Valley – Add It To Trekking List
Image Credits: Sunidhi Rajput for Wikimedia
As intriguing as the name sounds, Plus Valley is a fabulous destination to try some adventure. Completely surrounded by hills, greenery and rocks around, Plus Valley presents itself as one of the most perfect places to visit in Kolad for a trekker. The canyons and waterfalls add a notch to the difficulty level of the trek, while the fresh air around will keep you on your feet. Excited yet? Don’t wait up and head to Plus Valley for one of the most soothing trek experiences of your life.
8. Talgad Fort – Watch The Trade Routes
The Talgad fort lies at an altitude of 1,000 ft. and looks like a narrow strip of about 20 metre wide. This fort was built in tandem with the Ghosalgad fort and their purpose, again, was to serve as an enemy’s watch and safeguard the trade route. The fort is reachable via a 45 minute trek, which showcases the valley and gets interesting as you go above. It’s what makes it one of prime places to visit in Kolad.
9. Devkund Waterfall – Heaven Within The Valley
Image Credits: Abhinav Varshney for Wikimedia
Discover a ‘plunge’ waterfall that pours massive amounts of water onto the rocky surface of Kundalika river. This breathtaking natural wonder has also emerged as a fabulous picnic spot. Enclosed by a dense forest, the waterfall also invites nature lovers, trekkers and campers. The Bhira-Devkund trek being the most popular one in the area. The Devkund Waterfall has some mythical significance by way of which it is also popular as the “Pond of Gods”.
So, there you have it! An offbeat place that has a plethora of natural beauty, historical sites and adventure spots. We hope to have provided you with some valuable information about the places to visit in Kolad which will help you while planning a customized trip to Maharashtra. Better yet, do let us know in the comments how your experience was and definitely mention any other place that we might have missed.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Kolad
What is Kolad famous for?
A tiny village in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Kolad is a top favorable spot for river rafting. With plenty of hills, valleys and lush forests, Kolad has a widespread appeal during the monsoon season when the region truly blossoms. What are some top adventure sports in Kolad?
Although rafting is prominent in Kolad, the natural landscape of Kolad allows you to experience trekking, hiking and camping. Are there some other hill stations in Maharashtra that are offbeat yet splendid?
Yes. There are plenty. Some of the offbeat hill stations in Maharashtra are Kaas, Malhargad, Harihareshwar, Jawhar, Palu, Tarakarli and Morachi Chincholi. What is the ideal visit duration to Kolad?
With the amount of places Kolad has, we would recommend you to plan at least a 4-day trip to get the best essence of the place.
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A graduate of Political Science, Gyana likes to explore by interacting with people and learning about their culture and traditions. He likes to eat, go places and talk about movies. A big fan of people and their pioneering spirit and an avid movie watcher, he is fascinated with world of imagination. He constantly seeks to grow and yearns to improvise with innovation that eventually provides solutions to problems.
