# Forts Near Pune > The 11 best forts near Pune, sorted the way a friend would sort them: first forts and family climbs, proper half-day treks, and the big days out. Distance, climb time and difficulty for each, with links to full guides. - Location: Pune division, Maharashtra, India - Last updated: 2026-11-11 - Source: https://trekmaharashtra.com/forts-near-pune/ **If a friend asked me which fort near Pune to start with, I'd say Sinhagad for the history and the food, Lohagad if you want the easiest big view, and Torna or Rajgad once you're ready for a proper day.** Here are 11 forts within a couple of hours of Pune, sorted by the kind of day you want rather than alphabetically, with the honest numbers for each. ## The quick table | Fort | From Pune | Time to the top | Level | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Sinhagad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/sinhagad-fort/) | About 30 km | 1.5 to 2 hours on foot | Easy | A first fort, history, sunrise | | [Purandar](https://trekmaharashtra.com/purandar-fort/) | About 40 km | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours | Easy | A quiet half day | | [Lohagad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/lohagad-fort/) | About 60 km | 30 to 45 minutes | Easy | Families, the Vinchu Kata ridge | | [Visapur](https://trekmaharashtra.com/visapur-fort/) | About 65 km | About 2 hours from Bhaje | Moderate | A bigger, quieter climb next to Lohagad | | [Tikona](https://trekmaharashtra.com/tikona-fort/) | About 60 km | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours | Easy | Pawna Lake views | | [Korigad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/korigad-fort/) | About 90 km | 30 minutes to 1.5 hours | Easy | Walking a complete rampart | | [Rajmachi](https://trekmaharashtra.com/rajmachi-fort/) | About 75 km | About 5 hours on foot from Lonavala | Moderate | A long walk, a night in the village | | [Torna](https://trekmaharashtra.com/torna-fort/) | About 60 to 65 km | 2 to 3 hours | Moderate | The highest fort in Pune district | | [Rajgad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/rajgad-fort/) | About 60 km | 2.5 to 3 hours | Moderate | The first capital, a full day | | [Shivneri](https://trekmaharashtra.com/shivneri-fort/) | About 95 km | 30 to 60 minutes | Easy | The birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | | [Raigad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/raigad-fort/) | About 130 km | Ropeway, or a long stair climb | Moderate | The capital; worth the long drive | *Times are one way, from the usual starting village, at an easy pace. Distances are by road from Pune city.* ## Your first fort: easy climbs, big rewards **[Sinhagad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/sinhagad-fort/)** is the fort most Punekars climb first, and for good reason: it's close, the path is clear, and the story of Tanaji Malusare happened right here. Walk up by the Paytha route if you want the trek; there's also a ghat road to the top, and stalls up there serve pithla-bhakri and curd. **[Lohagad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/lohagad-fort/)** is the easiest big view near Pune. A stepped path through four gates takes 30 to 45 minutes from Lohagadwadi, and the Vinchu Kata, the "scorpion's tail" ridge, is the best part. It's one of the 12 UNESCO World Heritage forts. **[Korigad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/korigad-fort/)** is the one I'd pick for families who want something quieter. The climb is short, and the whole rampart is still standing, so you can walk all the way round the top past six cannons and two lakes. **[Tikona](https://trekmaharashtra.com/tikona-fort/)** is the pointed hill above Pawna Lake. Short, easy, and the view over the water to Tung, Lohagad and Visapur is the prize. **[Purandar](https://trekmaharashtra.com/purandar-fort/)** is close to the city and calmer than Sinhagad: the birthplace of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and the fort that gave its name to the Treaty of Purandar in 1665. ## A proper half-day or full-day trek **[Visapur](https://trekmaharashtra.com/visapur-fort/)** is Lohagad's bigger, higher twin. Climb from Bhaje in about 2 hours, or walk over from Lohagad in 45 minutes. It's huge, so give it time. **[Torna](https://trekmaharashtra.com/torna-fort/)** was the first fort taken by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in 1646, and at about 1,403 m it's the highest in Pune district. The last part of the climb is steep rock with carved steps. Go in good shoes and don't trust the railings. **[Rajgad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/rajgad-fort/)** was his first capital, and it's a full day: 2.5 to 3 hours up, then the three machis to explore. If you're fit, the ridge walk from Rajgad to Torna is one of the classic two-day treks of the Sahyadri. **[Rajmachi](https://trekmaharashtra.com/rajmachi-fort/)** is a different kind of day: a long, mostly flat walk of about 15 km from Lonavala to Udhewadi village, then two short climbs to the citadels. Many people stay the night. ## Worth the longer drive **[Shivneri](https://trekmaharashtra.com/shivneri-fort/)**, above Junnar, is where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. The climb by the seven-gate path is short; the drive is the long part. Pair it with the [Junnar caves](https://trekmaharashtra.com/junnar-caves/). **[Raigad](https://trekmaharashtra.com/raigad-fort/)** was the capital of the Maratha kingdom and is a UNESCO World Heritage fort. It's a long drive from Pune, so make a day of it. Take the ropeway if your knees need it. ## Two forts in one day - **Lohagad and Visapur:** the easiest pair. Same plateau, linked by the Gaimukh Khind path. - **Tikona and Korigad:** both a short drive from Lonavala. You'll need a car between them. - **Sinhagad and the city:** a morning climb, back in Pune for lunch. ## Before you go - **Start early.** Every one of these is hot and shadeless by noon outside the monsoon. - **Carry 2 litres of water** and a snack. Stalls are not guaranteed at the top. - **Wear shoes with grip.** Rock steps are slippery when wet. - **Monsoon weekends are packed.** Go on a weekday if you can. - **Leave the fort as you found it.** No litter, no writing on walls. More: [UNESCO World Heritage forts of Maharashtra](https://trekmaharashtra.com/unesco-world-heritage-forts-maharashtra/) and [caves near Pune](https://trekmaharashtra.com/caves-near-pune/). ## Questions people ask ### Which is the easiest fort near Pune? Lohagad. From Lohagadwadi village it is a climb of 30 to 45 minutes up a stepped path. Korigad, Tikona, Purandar and Shivneri are also easy, each about an hour or less to the top. ### Which fort near Pune is best for a first trek? Sinhagad, Lohagad or Korigad. All three have clear paths, take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to climb, and are close enough to Pune for a half day. ### Which is the toughest fort trek near Pune? Of these 11, Torna and Rajgad are the hardest days: 2 to 3 hours up each, with steep rock sections near the top, and a full day to see the fort properly. ### Which fort is closest to Pune? Sinhagad, about 30 km from the city, then Purandar at about 40 km. ### Can I see two forts in one day? Yes. Lohagad and Visapur share a plateau and pair easily. Tikona and Korigad are close to each other near Pawna Lake, but need a car between them. ### When is the best time to visit forts near Pune? October to February, for clear views and cool mornings. The monsoon is beautiful but crowded and slippery, and summer afternoons are very hot.