Closest first
Katraj to Sinhagad (K2S)
Challenging · Starts at Katraj, about 12 km from central Pune
Trek: 6–8 hours, depending on pace. Drive: about 12 km from central Pune. Pune’s classic endurance trek: about 13 km over a dozen hills on the ridge from Katraj ghat to Sinhagad, often at night.
Ghoradeshwar
Easy · About 35 km from Pune, under an hour by road
Trek: About 45 minutes to 1 hour up. Drive: under an hour by road. A short morning hill and cave hike off the old Mumbai–Pune highway, close to Talegaon.
Sinhagad Fort
Moderate · About 35 km from Pune, about an hour by road
Trek: 1.5–2 hours up; about an hour down. Drive: about an hour by road. Pune’s own fort, a steady 1.5–2 hour climb from Atkarwadi, with pithla-bhakri waiting at the top.
Rohida Fort
Easy · About 60 km from Pune, 1.5 hours by road
Trek: 1–1.5 hours up from Bajarwadi. Drive: 1.5 hours by road. A short, quiet fort above Bhor with carved gateways, cisterns and wide Sahyadri views. Also called Vichitragad.
Lohagad Fort
Easy · About 65 km from Pune, 1.5–2 hours by road
Trek: 30–45 minutes up from Lohagadwadi; 2–3 hours up from Malavli. Drive: 1.5–2 hours by road. The classic first fort near Pune: a short climb on steps from Lohagadwadi, or a longer walk from Malavli station.
Visapur Fort
Easy · About 65 km from Pune, 1.5–2 hours by road
Trek: 1.5–2 hours up from Malavli. Drive: 1.5–2 hours by road. Lohagad’s bigger, quieter neighbour, with a huge plateau and monsoon streams running down the old steps.
Rajgad Fort
Moderate · About 60 km from Pune, 1.5–2 hours by road
Trek: 2.5–3 hours up from Gunjavane; 2–2.5 hours from Pali (steeper). Drive: 1.5–2 hours by road. Shivaji Maharaj’s first capital: a long climb to Padmavati Machi and three huge spurs to explore.
Torna Fort
Challenging · About 65 km from Pune, 2 hours by road
Trek: 2.5–3.5 hours up from Velhe. Drive: 2 hours by road. The highest fort in Pune district and the first Shivaji Maharaj captured: a long climb from Velhe with rocky ridges.
Tung Fort
Moderate · About 90 km from Pune, 2–2.5 hours by road
Trek: 45 minutes to 1 hour up from Tungwadi. Drive: 2–2.5 hours by road. A short, steep cone above Pawna lake, with an exposed final climb and the best lake views in Maval.
Planning the day
- Leave Pune by 6 am. You beat the traffic and the heat, and start the descent before the afternoon.
- Add the drive both ways to the trek time to get the length of your day.
- Carry 2 litres of water and food for the trail; many forts have nothing to buy on top.
- Check the last bus or train back before you set off if you are not driving.
Questions
Which is the closest trek to Pune?
Katraj to Sinhagad starts inside the city at Katraj. For a short hike, Ghoradeshwar and Sinhagad are both about 35 km away.
What is a good one-day trek near Pune for beginners?
Lohagad, Ghoradeshwar or Rohida. Each takes about an hour to climb and you can be back in Pune by early afternoon.
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: Monsoon treks near Pune · Treks by train and bus · Forts within 50 km · All treks near Pune