Pune is surrounded by the Sahyadri on three sides. Maval and Mulshi are an hour away, Junnar an hour and a half, and the Raigad and Ahilyanagar forts sit within a comfortable pre-dawn drive. For a city this size, almost nowhere else in India gives you this many forts within a single day’s reach.
Here are the weekend treks we run from Pune, from the gentle ones you can take your parents on to the long ridge crossings that need real endurance. Every trek includes transport from Pune, meals, certified trek leaders and first-aid support.
Easy: good first treks
1. Tikona Fort, Maval - ₹1,499
A compact triangular fort above Pawna Lake, barely an hour from Pune. The climb takes under an hour on broad steps, and the top holds Trimbakeshwar temple, rock-cut cisterns and a view across the water to Tung, Lohagad and Visapur. This is the trek we recommend most often for families and first-timers.
2. Shivneri, Chavand Fort & Kukdeshwar Temple, Junnar - ₹1,499
Three places in one day. Shivneri is where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born - seven gateways, the Shivai Devi temple, Ambarkhana and Balekilla, all on built stone steps. Chavand (Prasannagad) adds a flight of rock-cut steps with iron railings, the Chamunda Devi temple and the Saptatake cisterns. The day ends at the Kukdeshwar Mahadev Temple near the source of the Kukadi.
Shivneri, Chavand & Kukdeshwar Trek →
Moderate: a full day on the trail
3. Tail-Baila, Maval - ₹1,499
Two enormous parallel rock walls standing above Tailbaila village, famous among climbers. The trek to the base of the walls is a walk rather than a climb, and standing underneath them is the point of going - they are far bigger up close than any photograph suggests.
4. Sudhagad, Pali - ₹1,499
A broad, quiet fort that was once considered for the Maratha capital before Raigad was chosen. Long rather than steep, with the Bhorai Devi temple, old wadas and a gateway on the plateau. Reachable from Pune via Khopoli or Pali.
5. Sarasgad, Pali - ₹1,499
Short and sharp, on rock-cut steps rising straight out of Pali behind the Ballaleshwar Ashtavinayak temple. Easy to combine with darshan on the way back.
6. Raigad Fort, Mahad - ₹1,499
The capital of Hindavi Swarajya. Roughly 1,400 stone steps lead through Nane Darwaja and Chitta Darwaja to the Maha Darwaja; above it lie the Raj Sabha where the coronation took place, the Nagarkhana, Bazaar Peth, Jagdishwar Temple, the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Takmak Tok. A ropeway is available for anyone who prefers not to climb.
7. Upandya Ghat to Madhe Ghat - ₹1,499
A crossover walk through old ghat trails in the Velhe-Bhor country south-west of Pune, ending near the Madhe Ghat waterfall. Less fort, more forest and ridge - a good change of pace if you have done the usual Pune forts.
Upandya Ghat to Madhe Ghat Trek →
Challenging: endurance days
8. Rajgad to Torna Range Trek - ₹1,499
The crossover every Pune trekker eventually wants to do. Rajgad, the first capital of the Maratha Empire, with Padmavati, Suvela and Sanjeevani Machi around the Balekilla; then a 16-18 km ridge traverse along the Sahyadri spine; then Torna (Prachandagad), the first fort Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured at sixteen and the highest in Pune district. Eight to nine hours of walking, moderate to hard, and worth every bit of it.
9. Ratangad, Bhandardara - ₹1,499
North of Pune, past Akole, on the edge of the Bhandardara reservoir. Fixed iron ladders take you through the last rock patch to the Nedhe, a wind-carved hole straight through the summit ridge. The 1,000-year-old Amruteshwar Temple sits at the base village of Ratanwadi.
10. Aundha & Patta Fort (Vishramgad) - ₹1,499
Twin forts in Akole taluka, done together in a long day. Quiet, open ridge country with very few other groups, and a genuine sense of distance from the city.
How we travel from Pune
Our Pune batches leave the previous night or very early morning by private bus, with pickups at Karve Nagar, Wakad, Chandani Chowk and Katraj depending on the trek. Exact boarding points and timings are shared in the trek group a day before departure. If you prefer to drive yourself to the base village, tell us while booking so we keep your meals aside.
Best season around Pune
- June - September: the Maval and Mulshi forts are at their best - Tikona and Tail-Baila in cloud, waterfalls everywhere. Rock gets slippery.
- October - February: the easiest and clearest window, and the right season for the long Rajgad-Torna crossover.
- March - May: stick to shorter forts with an early start; the ridges get hot and shadeless.
For the full picture, our treks near Pune page lists every departure by road distance from the city, with base villages, duration and prices in one table.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the easiest trek near Pune?
Tikona Fort in Maval. Under an hour of climbing on broad steps, about an hour from the city, and suitable for children and parents.
What is the best one-day trek from Pune for history?
Shivneri in Junnar - the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - paired with Chavand Fort and the Kukdeshwar temple. Raigad is the other obvious choice if you want the capital itself.
How hard is the Rajgad to Torna trek?
Moderate to hard. About 16-18 km with 8-9 hours of walking and 2,000-2,500 ft of gain and loss along an exposed ridge. Do a couple of moderate forts first.
Do you run treks for colleges and corporate groups from Pune?
Yes. Schools, colleges, fitness academies and company teams can book a whole batch on a date of their choosing. Message us with your group size and we will plan the transport and meals around it.
Are these treks beginner-friendly?
Tikona, Shivneri-Chavand, Sarasgad and Tail-Baila are all fine for beginners with basic fitness. Rajgad-Torna and Ratangad expect some trekking behind you.
What is included in the fee?
Transport from the Pune pickup points, breakfast and lunch, certified trek leaders, first-aid support, forest entry permissions and group coordination. Personal expenses and insurance are not included.
Pick a date
Dates, prices and pickup points for every batch are on the upcoming treks page. Not sure which fort to start with? Message us on WhatsApp at +91 93070 52479 and tell us what you have done before.
