- Level
- Moderate
- Trek time
- About 2–3 hours each way
- From Pune
- About 160 km, 4 hours by road
- Starts at
- Khireshwar
- Best months
- Late July to September
Kalu waterfall drops about 1,200 feet into a forested valley near Khireshwar, below Harishchandragad. It became very popular in the monsoon, but the trail runs through reserved forest and the river rises fast; around 300 trekkers had to be rescued in July 2025.
Our trips to Kalu Waterfall
We have been twice, most recently in Aug 2024. Photos from the day:
2 visits · 6 photosHow to reach Kalu Waterfall from Pune
By car or bike: Pune–Nashik highway to Alephata, then towards Malshej ghat and Khubi phata to Khireshwar.
By bus or train: ST buses on the Pune–Kalyan route via Malshej stop at Khubi phata.
The trail
The trail follows the Kalu river through forest. The river can rise within minutes after heavy rain upstream.
Is it right for me?
Fit walkers with an experienced group and a local guide. Not for anyone who cannot swim or is uneasy on wet rock.
Best time to go: Peak monsoon is when the fall is biggest and the river most dangerous.
Good to know
- Go with a local guide from Khireshwar.
- Never cross the river when it is rising or fast, and turn back in heavy rain.
- Keep away from the base of the fall; rocks come down with the water.
- Reserved forest: follow forest department rules.
New to trekking? Read your first trek and our safety basics.
Go with us, for free
Join the Pune Trekkers WhatsApp group to hear about the next trip. Everyone splits the real cost; nobody makes money.
Similar treks
Written by our volunteers from our own trips and Punekar News: trekkers rescued from the Kalu river, July 2025. Times are for a steady group; conditions change, so check on the day. Something wrong? Tell us.