The Iron Fort of Pune!

The Lohgad Killa which literally translates to The Iron Fort is near Pune and Lonavala in Maharashtra. This fort was, almost mostly, under the Maratha Empire. The fort, now, is a very sought after location for amateur trekkers hoping to spend a day of their weekend seeking some thrill. The fort itself is massive and is situated about 1000 meters above sea level atop the Sahyadri Mountain Range of the Western Ghats. The climb up to the fort, although quite easy for anyone in good shape, is very picturesque with the views of hills overlooking the Lohgad. 

Picturesque View on our Climb (Can you spot the Moon?)

Things to keep in mind:

• Carry plenty of water. I drank almost 1.5 ltrs of water each.
• Please keep your hands free as the steps leading to the top are big and near to the summit, broken.
• There are a lot of monkeys around and they let you be if not teased. They do tend to snatch food items so be careful.

You'll cross four huge doors on your way to the top, viz., Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja and The Maha Darwaja. These are surprisingly intact and in good condition.

One of the Huge Doors at Lohgad Fort

Iron Spikes projecting from the Doors

On reaching the top, you will get a panoramic view of the Western Ghat ranges and the Pavana Lake. The cool breeze and the view makes the trek worthwhile. 

Panoramic view from the top

You will also see a Shiva Temple and a Mazaar on reaching the top.

The Mazaar

It is recommended to visit the fort during monsoons, but we did the trek in mid-February. It takes about 2:30 hrs to reach Lohgad Fort from Mumbai by road. Although I would not suggest you drive if you're not accustomed to driving on U-clip turns on hills. To make the matter worse, the gravelled roads add to the difficulty. Other options such as trains are also available. You can reach Lonavala and take another train to get down at Malavi station. From there, auto rickshaws are available.

Our Climb to Lohgad Fort

It is a good one day excursion during the weekend or if you're at Lonavala. If you have any stories or suggestions, do share them below! :)