A short drive to Lonavala, Matheran and Lohagad fort, Maharashtra.

[Gowtham]

Weekend getaway Pune to Lonavala, Matheran and Lohagad

 

Drive Stats:

 

Distance : 200 kms

 

Drive : Swift

 

Fuel : Diesel

 

Mileage : 18 kmpl

 

Drive time : 5 hrs

 

Total trip : 450 kms

 

Pune --> Lonavala --> Matheran

 

Lonavala is a paradise for all the Pune travel lovers. It is quite easy to reach the place via Mumbai-Pune express way. We started off in the afternoon and headed towards Lonavala having planned to reach Matheran by the sunset.

 

The splendid six-lane Mumbai-Pune express way drive got our senses back to life and we reached Lonavala in 3 hours (including breaks).

Dusk crept up the hills as we reached Lonavala and the scent of the cool breeze wafted towards us and revived our souls.

 

We spent good amount of time gazing at the sun going down, after which we had realized that pitching up our tents in the dark at our destination (Matheran) would be impossible as we were still approx. 2 hrs away. And so we started to head towards Matheran.

 

Mumbai Pune express way

Our approach in to a Tunnel, speed is limited to 80 kmph

During our drive inside the India's first tunnel system with in the city limits.

Arguably the best express way in India

 

Scenic view of the express way from the Western ghats.

Look at the size of the bridge :eek:

Ghat road on the way to Lonavala

This ghat sticks out green even during the summers

Breath taking view from the Lion's Point

Our Drive

This stray dog took the ascent along with us quite easily

 

 

 

A unique shaped hill at the Tiger's leap

Lion's point: Sun set

 

And we start our journey towards Matheran

[Gowtham]

As we moved close to Matheran, pacing up the road was not so possible as the road condition wasn't so good. Darkness, steep uphill and hairpin bends without any indicators marked made the drive cautious.

 

Soon, we reached to a point beyond which motorized vehicles aren't allowed. It took us quite some time to find an appropriate place to park our car. Since the option of pitching down our tents to spend the night had gone to the woods, we walked down 3 kms ahead in search the hotels with the help of a mobile torch. We usually have different means such as horse riding, rickshaws or just walk along the rail tracks.

 

As we had reached late in the night, we had no option but to walk along the rail tracks (spooky for the first timers). We had finally checked-in to a decent hotel after quite an adventurous walk in the dark night

 

.Matheran tourist map-Source wiki

Absolute darkness as we walked along the rail tracks

Darkness prevailed throughout

We had reached the top next morning to watch the Sunrise

At the panorama point

3 idiots who joined me along to reach this wonderful place

Horse Rides ( They charge us 30 INR for taking the pictures )

As we slid down the descent

And we drove down the ghat

Commercial waste being littered around by people instead of preserving the beauty of nature

Narrow and steep roads

We stop by to give a way to the cars taking the ascent

We started our next leg of journey towards Lohagad fort. It took us around 3 hrs to reach the place (Including breaks).

Lohagad is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India situated close to the Lonavala hill station which is 52 NW to Pune. Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range. (source wiki).

 

We came across a rally of sports bikes en-route

We couldn't find any food joints near Lohagad fort and so we got into near by village and had poha for our lunch.

Main entrance to the Lohagad fort

As we reached the fort, we started to climb the half broken crooked fort steps.

Mosque at Lohagad

Lower ramparts of the fort

View of the surrounding villages as we stood tall on the tip of Lohagad fort.

Extreme top-view of the Lohagad fort.

He had become a Maratha Warrior for that moment

After a tiresome hike, we exit the gates

Descending down from the Lohagad

And we drove back carrying unlimited memories

 

 

[sony.rp]

On 6/12/2015 at 8:23 AM, gowtham said:

As we moved close to Matheran, pacing up the road was not so possible as the road condition wasn't so good. Darkness, steep uphill and 

 

Marvellous..

[shammy]

Wow, that railway tracks seems to be really scary. Lohagad fort is amazing. Nice post Gowtham with beautiful pictures. How is the present road condition to Matheran?

[karthik]

Wow, that railway tracks seems to be really scary. Lohagad fort is amazing. Nice post Gowtham with beautiful pictures. How is the present road condition to Matheran?

You can check this thread in the Route queries section as you have to go via Pune

http://www.india-drive.com/forum/nav...road-condition

[Naveen1]

Nice Pictures.

Looks like you guys went on wrong season.

It has so much greenery during monsoon.