Pawna lake camping is a must-to-do activity in every traveler’s bucket list. However, do you know that this amazing place also offers some scenic trekking spots? This article covers the monsoon trekking spots near Pawna Lake. Read further to know more
Tikona Fort Trek
One of the best forts in Lonavala for trekking is Tikona Fort. Easy hiking trails, magnificent scenery, and numerous camping options are available near Pawna Lake or Hadshi Lake.
Tikona, also known as Vitandgad, is a significant hill fort in Maval, in western Maharashtra. It is close to Kamshet and about 60 kilometers from Pune. The name of the community located nearest to the Fort is Tikona-Peth. Tikona, “triangular,” refers to the pyramidal shape of the hill’s 3,500-foot height.
Because of its massive doors, Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple, seven water reservoirs, and a few Satvahan caves, the Tikona fort is a well-liked hiking destination. The views of the Pawna Dam and the adjacent forts of Tung, Lohagad, and Visapur are highly praised by the expedition organizers. Pawna Lake may be seen beautifully from the peak.
Lohagad Fort Trek
Another great place to go hiking in the Sahyadris is Lohagad Fort Trek, which is close to Pawna Lake. This fort offers breathtaking views, strenuous hiking trails, and camping spots close to the lovely lake.
Lohagad is one of the several hill forts in Maharashtra. Lohagad, which is 1,033 meters above sea level and 52 kilometers to the northwest of Pune, is located on the edge of the hill town of Lonavala. The Fort and the adjoining Visapur fort are separated by a short distance.
Lohagad, which rises to a height of 1,033 meters (3,389 feet), is situated southwest of the huge Visapur fort. The ridge seperates the water basins of the Indrayani River and Pawna Lake. From Lohagad, one can see the Pawna reservoir, which is located south of the mountain. A fortified protrusion known as Vinchukada Scorpion’s tail because its resemblance to a scorpion’s tail is located on the hill that runs northwest from that point. The four massive gates of Lohagad are still substantially undamaged and in good condition.
During the monsoon, the Fort’s summit can occasionally be obscured by mist and fog, becoming exceedingly wet and mossy. The routes and roads going to the hill are quite slick at this time of year, therefore care must be taken when using them.
Visapur Fort Trek
Visapur Killa is the spot to visit if you want to see some of the nation’s most breathtaking beauty. Compared to the Fort at Lohagad, the Fort at Visapur is more notable and taller.
The Fort features old homes, water cisterns, an elaborate arch, and tunnels. It is believed that these two roofless buildings, which are surrounded by verandas or exterior walls, were once used as government buildings. The Peshwa palace is a complex of enormous stone-built ruin sites. Large sculptures of Lord Hanuman may be found throughout the Fort, and he is the subject of many temples.
There is a well that the Pandavas built, according to local legend. In 1885, a ten-foot-long iron gun with a four-inch barrel stood near to the north wall. Nearby are the remains of an old Mahadev shrine.
Unlike the inner structure, most of its wall is still surviving. A pleasant two-hour trek along Visapoor’s winding walls is possible. It is lofty and towers have strengthened the west face. In some locations, the wall can be as thick as three feet and supported by masonry platforms where the hill’s slope is accessible, or it can be as thin as a simple dry-stone parapet where the plateau terminates in a cliff. The central gate is still surrounded by two huge bastions.
Tung Fort Trek
The Tung fort trek near Pawna Lake is the ideal hiking location if you want to experience breathtaking scenery. This strenuous hike is not for the faint of heart, but for the seasoned hiker, it is worthwhile. You’ll undoubtedly like the serene ambiance and breathtaking views, and the lakeside camping is a bonus.
The high, conical summit of Tung Fort makes it visible from a distance. It has thick walls, numerous bastions, and an oval shape. At the summit of a challenging climb up grassy hills are the temple ruins. It takes several steps to descend a stony staircase to reach a water reservoir. From the fort’s peak, it is simple to see the forts in Lohagad, Visapur, Tikona, and Korigad.
Korigad Fort Trek
Trek to Korigad Fort near Amby Valley One of the top locations for breathtaking vistas, hillside camping, simple hiking trails, and beginner-friendly trekking is Lonavala. The hike rewards you with breathtaking views of the Fort and the surrounding area after passing through some of Lonavala’s most picturesque landscape. One of the best treks for novices is the Korigad Fort Trek, a simple trip that takes only a few hours to accomplish.
The region has a shrine to its patron deity Korai Devi in addition to numerous minor temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The former is a freshly renovated lamp tower with a 3-foot-tall Deepmala. The Fort’s wall is completely intact, and you can walk around it for almost two kilometers, which is a remarkable feature.
Its massive gate is still in good shape. There are still a few abandoned buildings inside the Fort. Amongst the six canons, the Laxmi Toph is situated near to the Korai Devi shrine.
Rajmachi Fort Trek
Rajmachi Fort is made up of two forts, Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. One of the most significant historical structures in Lonavala, it is a well-known fort adjacent to Karjat. Rajmachi Killa overlooks the Bor Ghat from within a vast tableland.
The Rajmachi fort complex has massive ramparts, significant walls, grand entrances, enchanting caves, water reservoirs, administrative structures, and clandestine exit gates.
The canyon where the Kal Bhairav shrine is situated is situated between the forts of Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. With its abundance of waterfalls, streams, and lush, verdant woodlands and meadows, this location is even more beautiful during the rainy season.
Ulhas Valley Trek
The new activity of “canyoning” is swiftly catching hold in Lonavala. There are numerous opportunities to enjoy this pastime in the Western Ghats, where there are numerous waterfalls and raging streams.
River tracing, down-climbing, and rappelling are all a part of the extraordinary multi-sport Ulhas Valley Trek in a deep canyon. Exploring the paths that lead down to the rocky waterfalls is an adventurous experience since you get to go where very few people have had the chance to go!
The simplest way to describe Ulhas Canyon Trek is to picture you standing at the top of a tropical waterfall in the middle of a deep jungle, with delights around every corner.
Dukes nose Trek
The cliff at Khandala, the starting point of the trek to Nagphani, is a well-known vista in Lonavala and is nicknamed as Duke’s Nose after Duke Wellington. Due to its pointed head section hood that resembles a human nose, this precipice is known as Dukes Nose.
In Marathi, the terms “nag” and “phani” refer to snakes. The area between Khandala and Lonavala is fantastic for hiking. Duke’s nose is only accessible after strenuous hiking through Khandala. Since it takes four hours to complete and only 45 minutes to return to Kurvande hamlet, the tough Lonavala trek’s fantastic trailhead is Khandala.
These are some of the monsoon trekking spots near Pawna lake camping. I hope this guide have been helpful for you to plan your monsoon travel well in advance. Click here to read more about Forts and caves near Lonavala. Happy Monsoon! Happy Trekking!