Best in July and August
Ghoradeshwar
Easy · About 35 km from Pune, under an hour by road
Good all year in the early morning. The monsoon makes rock and steps slippery.
Sinhagad Fort
Moderate · About 35 km from Pune, about an hour by road
Popular all year. The monsoon brings mist and slippery rock; winter mornings are clear and cool. Summer climbs should finish before 10 am.
Rohida Fort
Easy · About 60 km from Pune, 1.5 hours by road
Monsoon brings mist and strong wind on top; post-monsoon (October–November) is green and clear. Summer is hot by late morning.
Lohagad Fort
Easy · About 65 km from Pune, 1.5–2 hours by road
Monsoon (July–September) is green and misty but crowded and slippery. October to February is cooler with clearer views. Summer afternoons are hot on the exposed top.
Visapur Fort
Easy · About 65 km from Pune, 1.5–2 hours by road
The monsoon (July–September) is the best-known time because of the streams, but turn back if the water is high. October to February is drier and easier.
Rajgad Fort
Moderate · About 60 km from Pune, 1.5–2 hours by road
October to February is cool and clear. In the monsoon it is wet, misty and slippery.
Tung Fort
Moderate · About 90 km from Pune, 2–2.5 hours by road
Post-monsoon and winter are clearest. In peak monsoon the last steps are slippery and the summit is often in cloud.
Sudhagad Fort
Moderate · About 120 km from Pune, 3 hours by road
August to February. Ladders and steps are slippery in heavy rain.
Jivdhan Fort
Moderate · About 125 km from Pune, 3–3.5 hours by road
September to February. The rock patches are slippery and risky in heavy rain.
Kalu Waterfall
Moderate · About 160 km from Pune, 4 hours by road
The Kalu river can rise within minutes after heavy rain upstream; about 300 trekkers had to be rescued in July 2025. The trail is in reserved forest and the forest department has restricted entry at times, so ask in Khireshwar before you set off and go with a local guide.
Aadrai Jungle Trek
Moderate · About 130 km from Pune, 3.5–4 hours by road
Aadrai is in reserved forest and streams rise fast after rain. The forest department has restricted entry at times, so ask in Khireshwar before you set off and go with a local guide.
Harishchandragad
Challenging · About 165 km from Pune to Khireshwar, 4 hours by road
August to February. The monsoon is beautiful but the trail is muddy and the cliff edge is often in cloud.
Ratangad Fort
Moderate · About 190 km from Pune, 4.5–5 hours by road
June to February. Late May brings fireflies; the monsoon is green but slippery.
Wait until September
These are too slippery or dangerous in peak monsoon. Go once the rain eases.
Torna Fort
Challenging · About 65 km from Pune, 2 hours by road
September to February. The monsoon makes the rock very slippery.
Devkund Waterfall
Easy · About 100 km from Pune, 2.5–3 hours by road
September to January, when the stream crossings are manageable. Peak monsoon brings closures and high water.
Kalsubai Peak
Moderate · About 180 km from Pune, 4–5 hours by road
September to February. The monsoon makes the ladders and rock wet and the summit windy.
Trekking safely in the rain
- Wear shoes with deep grip. Wet rock and mossy steps are the main cause of falls.
- Never cross a stream that is fast or rising. Wait, or turn back.
- Start early and be off the hill by mid-afternoon; mist and heavy rain close in later in the day.
- Pack a rain jacket, a dry change of clothes and a plastic bag for your phone.
- Weekends from July to September are crowded at Lohagad, Sinhagad and Devkund. Go on a Saturday or start at sunrise.
Questions
Which is the easiest monsoon trek near Pune?
Lohagad. It is mostly stone steps from Lohagadwadi, 30–45 minutes up, and you can reach it by local train to Malavli.
When does the monsoon trekking season start near Pune?
The rain usually reaches Pune in mid-June and the hills are green by early July. July and August are the wettest months; September is greener and drier underfoot.
Are any monsoon treks near Pune closed?
Kalu Waterfall and Aadrai Jungle Trek have had closures or entry rules in the monsoon. Each guide explains what to check before you go.
Don’t want to go alone?
Pune Trekkers is a free, volunteer-run trekking group. Members post treks in the WhatsApp community and everyone splits the real cost. First trek? Start with the beginner guide.
More ways to pick a trek: One-day treks near Pune · Treks by train and bus · Forts within 50 km · All treks near Pune