10 Road Trips Near Pune One Must Take For A Fun Travel Experience

Looking to spend quality and relaxed time in the lap of nature? Well, still not an unachievable longing! Pune with its beautiful spread of nature, hills, hill stations, serene lakes, waterfalls and historical forts beckons you for a thoroughly refreshing time. With planning multiple road trips near Pune, the circuit would be complete for a recharged return to the daily routine.

Aptly titled the “Queen of Deccan” due to its strategic location in the Deccan Plateau and because of the abundance of nature, Pune is home to some of the greatest and historical monuments alongside its vivid landscapes to literally hypnotize the travellers.

10 Road Trips Near Pune

Be it a romantic trip, or a family trip and or a honeymoon trip or simply a trip with your friends and colleagues, short road trips near Pune would make it an interesting destination to explore much. Some of the most amazing ones have been mentioned below!

1. Lonavala And Khandala

Image Source

This twin spots, separated by a distance of just 5 kilometres from each other, are probably the most famous one to make memorable road trips near Pune to remember. Just about 65 km from the main town of Pune, Lonavala and Khandala are also known for various outdoor activities, therefore, this location always draws the youngsters in droves.

Lonavala is a hill station in the Western Ghats surrounded by the green valleys thus it offers a breath-taking view of nature around. Perched about 2000 feet above the mean Sea level in the Sahyadri Range of Mountains, a host of caves provide a great escape for the romantically inclined to feel like exploring their own world of peace and tranquillity. It is also considered one of the best options for bike road trips near Pune to take.

Distance from Pune: 65 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 93 Km
Nearby Places to Visit: Numerous water streams; Sausage hills—the hills resembling a sausage; the Duke Nose for an astounding view of the city below; the Twin Forts of Tung and Tikona – a terrific twin spots to trek to.

Must Read: 50 Unique Experiences You Can Only Have In Mumbai

Looking To Book A Holiday Package?

2. Lohagadh Fort

Image Source

This fort is one of the closer ones to Lonavala. In fact, Lohagadh Fort can be visited as part of a trip to Lonavala itself. It is a popular picnic spot for the summer season due to its beautiful landscapes. Equally is it a great trekking destination which provides a thrilling experience of walking on the serpentine mountainous paths. With the peak height of 3,400 feet above the mean Sea level, the Lohagadh Fort has a rich historical background. It served as a treasury for the famed Maratha Warrior Shivaji Maharaj.

Distance from Pune: 60 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 93 Km
Nearby Attractions: Bhaja and Karla Caves; Visapur Fort; Pawna Lake and Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple amongst others.

3. Mulshi

Image Source

Mulshi is a perfect gateway for a peaceful and tranquil environment. Situated at a distance of approximately 35 Km from the Pune city, it is one of the best road trips near Pune which you can take for your unbound memories. Nature lovers will enjoy both the trip to and back to Mulshi apart from their stays there. The lake and dam at Mulshi accentuate the serenity of nature and the balmy environment as well which literally keep the visitors hooked.

Camping remains one of the top activities at Mulshi which people do. The lake of Mulshi, has been carved out of the backwaters of Mulshi dam. The winds around the Sahyadri Range of Mountains always create a mesmerizing feeling in the onlookers. This is one of the most refreshing road trips around Pune you won’t afford to ignore.

Distance from Pune: 30 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 172 Km
Time to Visit: Open for tourists between 9 AM and 6 PM every day.
Nearby Attractions: Lavasa Housing – a private housing enterprise; Nilkantheswar Temple; Tamahini Ghats & Panshet

4. Malshej Ghat

Image Source

A popular destination which attracts to the nature lovers, trekkers and the likes of hikers, Malshej Ghat is ensconced in the rugged Western Ghats. Indeed, Malshej is home for a wide variety of flora and fauna. With an average altitude of 2200 feet from the mean Sea level, it remains one of the not-to-miss long road trips near Pune.

Take your bike, and drive around 3 hours for an unforgettable experience amid nature, birds and valleys. Numerous waterfalls, beautiful and lofty forts, solidly structured dams and its location make Malshej an ideal monsoon retreat.

Distance from Pune: 120 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 126 Km
Nearby Attractions: Shivnero Fort- the Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj; Flamingo Resort – Don’t forget to click the selfies with flamingos!; Harishchandragad Fort – a place popular for trekking; Pimpalgaon Dam; Malshej Falls & Ajoba HillFfort.

Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!

5. Panchgani

Image Source

At an altitude of 1334 meters, Panchgani stands tall in the list of the one-day road trip near Pune. Panchgani means the 5 plateaus in the native language of the state of Maharashtra. It forms part of the famed Sahyadri Range of Mountains in the Western Ghats. The backdrop of hills on one side and the coastal plains on the other side make this spot a spectacular one to plan a visit.

Being a major hill resort in the Western Ghats, the weather here is pretty balanced with minor variations between the seasons. Don’t miss the sunset point here apart from the various scenic views from different points of this place that project it nature’s bounty. High peaks, gorgeous gorges and stunning landscapes are what make Panchgani one of the great road trips near Pune for both nature lovers as well as adventure enthusiasts.

Distance from Pune: 99 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 241 Km
Best Time to Visit: Between the months of September and May
Nearby Attractions: Venna Lake – go for boating for a lifetime experience & Sydney Point – a spectacular view of the valley.

6. Thosegar Falls

Image Source

This scenic waterfall is situated at the edge of the Konkan region at a distance of about 20 Km from the city of Satara. This place is famous for a series of waterfalls of 15 to 20 meters in height. One of them is as high as 200 meters. The thunderous sound of water falling from such a height and the tranquil and serene surroundings make it one of the most favourite road trips near Pune for those truly seeking to dare nature and also feel its closeness.

For the benefit of the tourists, the viewing platforms have been built and maintained well by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. The surrounding areas of the foliage are known as sheltering spaces for a wide variety of birds.

Distance from Pune: 135 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 278 Km
Best Time to Visit: Between July and November months
Nearby Attractions: Kaas Pathar and Lake – 15 km distance, also called the Valley of Flowers; Sajjangad Fort- famous for being the abode of Saint Ramdas & Chalkewadi – known for the windmill farms.

7. Tapola

Image Source

Also known as the Kashmir of the Western Coast, Tapola is a real heaven in this region which no tourist can ignore in their itineraries. Tapola is full of the most scenic beauty of the place making it an ideal destination for the nature lovers. The main tourist spot, it is one of the not-to-be-missed places for the long road trips near Pune. It is about 30 Km from the Mahabaleswar and is a part of the backwaters of the Koyana Dam. It is also well known for its eco-agro tourism that facilitates interaction with the locals to know more of their lives and habits.

This satellite village is in the midst of a thick jungle and several forts including Vasota and Jaygad dotting this region. The surrounding areas of this forts present a stunning bird’s eye view of the forests and the green foliage.

Distance from Pune: 119 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 294 Km
Nearby Attractions: Tapola Lake – famous for trekking; Water sports like boating, paragliding, kayaking & Small Islands located nearby – ideal for a glimpse of the sunset.

8. Bhimashankar

Image Source

Bhimashankar should remain part of one of the most important short road trips near Pune in your itinerary. Though a religious place and it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the Lord Siva, it is equally known for the surrounding hills and dense rainforests. It is a very much popular destination for the trekkers. Bhimashankar is situated at a height of about 3,250 feet from the Sea level.

Distance from Pune: 120 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 212 Km
Best Time to Visit: Visit this scenic spot during August to February to see nature in its full bloom.
Nearby Attractions: Sahyadri Wildlife Sanctuary – spread over 120 sq km, it is a virtual paradise for the bird lovers; Sahyadri Trekking- an ultimate destination for the trekkers besides Vast lakes, broad forests and fortresses on hills – a real treat for eyes and heart.

9. Mahabaleswar

Image Source

Located in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleswar is a beautiful plateau surrounded by the evergreen forests and hills. It is a famous hill station in the Sahyadri Mountain Range and is also the source of the Krishna River. It is denoted with the metaphor Strawberry Capital of the Country. Numerous rivers, lofty cascades and lofty peaks adorn the vicinity of Mahabaleswar. Ancient temples, manicured forests, valleys and boarding schools are in plenty here. Serene lakes and enticing valleys add to the overall scenic beauty of this place.

Distance from Pune: 116 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 261 Km
Nearby Attractions: Venna Lake – a quaint lake surrounded by trees all around; Kate’s Point – located at a height of 1280 metres and which provides a great view of the reservoirs nearby & Needle-hole Point – a natural rock formation which resembles needle hole. The area also has an Elephant Point for a similar rock formation.

10. Bhandardara

Image Source

A holiday village in the Western Ghats, Bhandaradara is situated on the banks of the River Pravara. Lush greenery, majestic waterfalls and steep mountains make it one of the ideal options for long road trips near Pune to enjoy to the fullest. It is emerging as an ideal summer retreat for the backpackers and is best enjoyed over an extended weekend. It takes 3 full days to have a full tour of this place and for all its nearby attractions.

Distance from Pune: 172 Km
Distance from Mumbai: 115 Km
Nearby Attractions: Ratnagad Fort; Wilson Dam; Arthur Lake; Randha Falls & Mount Kaisubai.

Further Read: 6 Best Places For Water Sports In Maharashtra You Must Experience

A road trip around Pune can be a great experience to undergo during your Maharashtra trip. The above-listed road trips near Pune will definitely add unforgettable moments to your vacation! Pick the ones that will leave you all excited and thrilled and have an experience to cherish for life!

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Road Trips Near Pune

Which time is ideal to visit Pune?

Pune is a favorite monsoon destination. The picnic spots nearby and around Pune are worth visiting even during the rainy seasons.

Are tourist guides available around the monuments of Maharashtra?

The picnic spots managed by the Maharashtra Tourist Corporation have the facility of tourist guides but most spots don’t require you to hire a guide.

Do we have to pre-book to visit tourist places in Maharashtra?

Not every tourist spot needs to be booked in advance. Most of the places are free for visitors.

Looking To Book An International Holiday?

Tanishk Juneja

Experience the world through captivating stories of adventure and travel. As a senior content writer, I bring my passion for exploration to life, crafting tales that take you on a journey. With my words, you’ll feel the thrill of discovery and the joy of experiencing new cultures. Let me turn your imagination into a reality with stories that inspire you to explore and embrace the world.