Lonavala is a beautiful hill station the comes between two major hubs of Maharashtra – Mumbai and Pune. It is a must visit for people living in these two cities due to its proximity from them. While it comes with all natural beauty that any hill station has to offer, you can do much more than admiring the untouched nature. There are many other beautiful/adventurous places to see around Lonavala – You have dams, lakes, waterfalls and lush green landscapes. If you are planning a trip to Lonavala this post can come handy as I will list down some of the beautiful places to see in Lonavala.
9 most beautiful places to see in Lonavala
There are plenty of places to see in Lonavala. Some of them are natural beauty, some are adventurous and some romantic. You can choose them depending what you wish to do in Lonavala. Below are the top places to see in Lonavala.
FORTS
- 1) Rajmachi Fort – Rajmachi fort is just 7.5 kms from Lonavala. You have to take moderate trek to reach this fort but you would love it once you reach the top of the fort. I have written more about it, you can read it here – About Rajmachi.
- 2) Lohagad Fort – Lohagad fort is about 10 kms from Lonavala. It is one of the many forts which serve as the battleground of Shivaji. The USP of the lohagad fort is the adventurous trek/climb that you would need to do in order to reach the fort’s top. Once you reach the top of the fort you will have a beautiful view of the lush green surroundings.
LAKES - 1) Tungarli Lake – Tungrali lake is an artificial reservoir in Lonavala. The lake fills up at a moderately high level during monsoons and is the primary source of water supply in Lonavala. You can walk around the lake and enjoy the tranquility that this place has to offer.
- 2) Lonavala Lake – Another beautiful lake in Lonavala. Just like Tungrali lake, Lonavala lake also swells up during monsoons. Its a picturesque place and is worth a visit if you are coming to Lonavala. You can hang out near the lake and capture some of your pics with beautiful nature at background.
PARKS & POINTS - 1) Ryewood Park and Shivaji Udyan – Ryewood park and Shivaji Udyan is pretty close to Lonavala market and is a beautiful place to sit back and relax. It is a vast lush green park surrounded by beautiful trees. If you have kids this can be ideal place for them to enjoy some outdoor activities. Carry a Frisbee or a ball and you are all set for some outdoor adventure.
- 2) Lion’s Point – Lion’s point is perhaps the highest point in Lonavala. If you come to this place during monsoons it will be hard to see past 10 meters due to the extensive fog present here. But that is what makes this place unique. There is a woman which serves mouth watering bhajiya and tea over here. You should definitely not miss having those.
DAMS - 1) Valvan Dam – Valvan dam is a dam built on Indrayani river in the Valvan village. It is a scenic place to visit and is one of the attractions in Lonavala. Lot of visitors visit this place and spend some time here. Valvan dam is close to 2 kms from the Lonavala town.
- 2) Bhushi Dam – Bhushi Dam is the most popular sightseeing place to see in Lonavala. Almost everyone who visits Lonavala comes to this place. It hosts a beautiful waterfall. You would need to hop on the rocks partly submerged in water to reach this waterfall. There are steps near the waterfall and you can spend sometime sitting there while enjoying the water around you.
CAVES
1) Karla Caves – If you are into history or ancient architecture Karla caves in Lonavala is a must visit for you. These caves are estimated to be built during 2-3rd century and have a prominent place in the history of early Buddhism sites in India. These caves are one of the most popular places to see in Lonavala.
Where to stay in Lonavala
Lonavala has a whole range of beautiful hotels and resorts. You can compare hotel prices in Lonavala and select one that fits your needs.
The above places are the must visit if you are coming down to Lonavala. You can have a wonderful time with friends and family visiting these places. Make sure to carry some winter clothing if you are sensitive to cold weather. And if you are visiting during monsoons carry some windsheeters unless dancing in the rain is in your agenda! Happy traveling!