# Lohagad Fort > Lohagad Fort near Lonavala: a 30–45 min climb from Lohagadwadi through 4 gates to the Vinchu Kata ridge, 1,033 m high. UNESCO site, about 60 km from Pune. - Location: Pune division, Maharashtra, India - Difficulty: easy (scale: easy, moderate, challenging, technical) - timings: Gates usually open about 9 am to 6 pm - Time: 30 to 45 minutes from Lohagadwadi; about 2 hours on foot from Malavli station - height: About 1,033 m (3,389 ft) above sea level - Starts at: Lohagadwadi village (by road), or Malavli railway station on foot via Bhaje - Fees: About ₹25, reported by visitors (2024–25) - Good for: Beginners, families with older children, monsoon walks - Best time: July to February - By public transport: Pune–Lonavala local train to Malavli, then walk or take a shared auto towards Bhaje and Lohagadwadi - Distance from Pune: About 60 km - Distance from Mumbai: About 105 km - Last updated: 2026-11-08 - Source: https://trekmaharashtra.com/lohagad-fort/ **Lohagad, the "iron fort" above Malavli near Lonavala, is one of the easiest and most rewarding fort climbs in Maharashtra, and one of the 12 UNESCO World Heritage forts.** It stands about 1,033 m high. From Lohagadwadi village a stepped path climbs through four gates to the top in 30 to 45 minutes. It is about 60 km from Pune and 105 km from Mumbai, and best from July to February. ## Why Lohagad matters Lohagad sits on a spur of the Sahyadri between the **Indrayani and Pavana valleys**, above an ancient trade route between the Deccan and the coast. Below it are the 2,000-year-old **Bhaje caves**, and the hill has been fortified for a very long time. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took Lohagad in the late 1640s. He had to hand it to the Mughals under the **Treaty of Purandar in 1665**, and took it back in **1670**. Later, the Peshwa minister **Nana Phadnavis** used the fort as a strong-room and added buildings, a large tank and a step-well. In **1818** British troops dragged guns onto neighbouring Visapur, which stands higher, and shelled Lohagad until the garrison gave it up. In July 2025 Lohagad was inscribed as one of the **12 forts of the "Maratha Military Landscapes of India"**, India's 44th World Heritage Site. See [all 12 UNESCO forts](https://trekmaharashtra.com/unesco-world-heritage-forts-maharashtra/). ## How to reach Lohagad **By road to Lohagadwadi (the easy way):** from the Mumbai–Pune highway, turn off at Malavli or Kamshet and drive to **Lohagadwadi**, the village in the saddle between Lohagad and Visapur. There is parking (paid) at the village, and the steps start right there. - From **Pune**: about 60 km, 1.5 to 2 hours. - From **Mumbai**: about 105 km via the expressway and Lonavala, 2.5 to 3 hours. **By train:** take the Pune–Lonavala local to **Malavli** station. From there it is about 6 to 7 km on foot, passing the Bhaje caves, to Lohagadwadi (around 2 hours). Shared autos also run part of the way. ## The climb From Lohagadwadi, a broad stepped path climbs to the fort through **four gates**: **Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja and Maha Darwaja**. They are still standing, set one above the other along a twisting path so that attackers were under fire at every turn. It is one of the best-preserved gate sequences of any fort near Pune. Most people reach the top in **30 to 45 minutes**. The path is easy but steep in parts, with no shade on the upper steps. ## What to see on Lohagad Fort - **The four gates:** stop at each one and look back down the path; you will see how the defence worked. - **Vinchu Kata (the scorpion's sting):** a long, narrow fortified spur stretching west from the fort, walled along its length. It was a watch post over the valleys. Walking out along it is the highlight of the visit; allow 30 to 45 minutes there and back. - **The 16-sided tank and the step-well:** large rock-cut water stores on the top, some added in Nana Phadnavis's time. - **Laxmi Kothi:** a rock-cut chamber used as a store. - **A dargah and a small Shiva temple** on the top. - **The views:** Pawna Lake to the south-west, the long wall of Visapur next door, and on clear winter days the hills towards Tikona and Tung. ## Lohagad and Visapur, the twin forts **Visapur** is the bigger and higher of the pair, on the other side of Lohagadwadi. It is less visited, wilder and has a monsoon waterfall on its main route. The two forts were built to be held together: whoever held Visapur could look down into Lohagad, which is exactly how the British took Lohagad in 1818. If you have a full day and good legs, climb both. ## Tips for your visit - **Go on a weekday in the monsoon.** On July and August weekends the path is packed shoulder to shoulder. - **Wear shoes with grip.** The old steps are polished smooth and mossy in the rain. - **Respect the edges.** Vinchu Kata has sheer drops on both sides; stay well back in wind and fog. - **Carry cash** for the entry fee, parking and the stalls near the top that sell lemon water and pithla-bhakri. ## Places near Lohagad Combine Lohagad with the **Bhaje caves** (on the way up from Malavli), the **Karla caves** across the highway, **Visapur**, **Pawna Lake** for sunset, and the forts of **Tikona** and **Tung** on the far side of the lake. ## Questions people ask ### How long is the Lohagad Fort trek? From Lohagadwadi, the village at the foot of the fort, it is a climb of a few hundred steps that takes 30 to 45 minutes. From Malavli railway station it is about 6 to 7 km on foot via Bhaje, roughly 2 hours one way. ### What are Lohagad Fort timings? The gates are usually open from about 9 am to 6 pm. Plan to be on your way down by 5:30 pm. ### Is there an entry fee for Lohagad Fort? Visitors in 2024 and 2025 report a ₹25 entry fee per person. Carry cash, and a little extra for parking at Lohagadwadi. ### What is Vinchu Kata at Lohagad? Vinchu Kata, 'the scorpion's sting', is a long, narrow fortified spur running west from the fort. From above it looks like a scorpion's tail. It was a watch post over the valleys, and today it is the best viewpoint on the fort. ### Is Lohagad Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Yes. Lohagad is one of the 12 forts of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India', inscribed on 11 July 2025. It is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. ### Which is the nearest railway station to Lohagad? Malavli, one stop after Lonavala on the Pune side of the Pune–Lonavala local line. From Malavli you can walk via Bhaje village or take a shared auto towards Lohagadwadi. ### Can I visit Lohagad and Visapur in one day? Yes. They are twin forts on the same ridge, separated by the saddle where Lohagadwadi village sits. Fit trekkers often do both in one long day. ### Is Lohagad Fort safe in the monsoon? The main path is safe if you are careful, but the steps are wet and crowded on weekends. Wear shoes with grip, keep away from cliff edges and check for any district monsoon advisory before you go.