Looking to spend a few relaxing days cherishing the scenic backdrop of a hill station near Pune? Thanks to the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges, there are quite a few mindblowing hill stations near Pune to cool off the increasing heat of summer days. Let's find out some of the most beautiful, serene and vibrant hill retreats located in close proximity to the cosmopolitan city of Pune in Maharashtra. Beautiful Hill Stations Near Pune 1. Lonavala and Khandala Distance - 65 KM Just an hour and another half's drive from Pune, Lonavala and Khandala is the famed twin hill-station of Maharashtra. Having served as the backdrop of a number of hit Bollywood films, Lonavala and Khandala receive an influx of tourists throughout the year. Besides attracting the casual vacationers, the place has a universal appeal to the trekkers and hikers. Blessed with lush green rolling hills, mesmerizing lakes and seasonal springs, Lonavala and Khandala have the ingredients needed to make for a memorable short-distance trip. Tourist Attractions: Few of the must visit tourists attractions here include Tiger's Leap View Point, Bushi Dam, Lonavala Lake, Bhaja Caves, Karla Caves and Lohagad Fort. Activities: Trekking to Rajmachi from Lonavala is a must do activity for the trekking enthusiasts. Scorpion's Sting Hills and Sausage Hills also serve as excellent trekking sites. Tungarli Dam is another great place for picnic and outdoor camping. 2. Mahabaleshwar Distance - 120 KM Marvelous, majestic and mindblowing - are the adjectives that define Mahabaleshwar the best. This popular hill retreat is situated at a distance of around 120 KM from Pune in the Satara district of Maharashtra. This evergreen hill station offers breathtaking views of the lush green Western Ghats mountain ranges. Not surprisingly, it ranks on top of the wish list for the majority of tourists looking for a riveting vacation in the company of nature. Tourist Attractions: Bounded by the Krishna River, Mahabaleshwar has lots of interesting places to visit. Arthur's Seat view-point, Elephant's Head view-point, Venna Lake, Lingmala Waterfalls and Pratapgarh Fort are a few must visit places at Mahabaleshwar. Activities: Boat ride in the enchanting Venna Lake is a rewarding experience. Trekkers can set on a hike to the beautiful Lingmala Waterfalls. Connaught Peak is another popular trekking site. Catching the majestic sunset views from the Wilson Point should not be missed at any cost. 3. Panchgani Distance - 105 KM Another famous hill station in the Satara district of Maharashtra, Panchgani came to the tourism map of India during the British colonial era. Besides being a bustling hill retreat, it is also renowned for its premier residential educational institutions. Blessed with an invigorating climate throughout the year, the picturesque setup and serene ambience of Panchgani is just the perfect getaway for a quick weekend drive from Pune. The unpolluted environment of Panchgani provides a breath of fresh air to liven up your spirits. Tourist Attractions: Places to visit in Panchgani include Sydney Point, Table Land, Mount Malcom, Panchagraha Mandir and Kamalgarh Fort. Activities: Parasailing and hot-air balooning at the Table Land are the must try adventure activities at Panchgani. You may also enjoy a boat ride in the scenic Venna Lake. 4. Igatpuri Distance - 200 KM Located at an elevation of over 1960 feet above the sea level, Igatpuri is nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats. Surrounded by lush green rolling hills, it is regarded as a popular hiking and trekking site in Maharashtra. The beautiful location has featured in several Bollywood movies as well. Tourist Attractions: Bhatsa Valley, Tringalwadi fort, Amruteshwar Temple, Camel Valley and and Dhammagiri Meditational Centre are some of the must visit tourist hotspots at Igatpuri. Activities: Trekking is the main activity that can keep you engaged here. The place is dotted with several short distance trekking trails that offer you the opportunity to explore and experience the beauty of nature from close quarters. A round of meditation at the Dhammagiri Meditational Centre can bring you the peace of mind, especially if you are a spiritual person. 5. Karjat Distance - 100 KM Karjat is a tiny hill station located between the Sahyadri ranges and the Konkan shoreline in Thane district of Maharashtra. Located at a distance of just 100 KM from Pune, the hill station deserves to be visited by all nature lovers. Set on the backdrop of undulating grass hills, Karjat is a lovely little paradise to refresh your heart and soul. Besides the picturesque meadows, Kajrat offers ample opportunity to satisfy the adventure instincts in adrenaline junkies. Tourist Attractions: The most frequented tourist attractions at Karjat include the Kondana Caves, Bhor Ghat, Ulhas valley and Kothaligad Fort. Activities: Trekking, hiking, river rafting, kayaking and canoeing are a few prospects that keep the tourists enthralled at Karjat. White water rafting through the Level-2 and Level-3 rapids of Ulhas river can be an unforgettable experience. 6. Matheran Distance - 120 KM Matheran has a rustic charm attached to it. Maharashtra Tourism Board's attempt to promote Matheran as an eco-tourism destination in Maharashtra has received encouraging response from the tourists. With a diversified array of natural splendors, Matheran amazes the tourists like no other hill station near Pune. If you are looking for a charming location to unwind for a few days, Matheran can serve you well. [Looking for a quiet stay at Matheran? Here are the best hotels and resorts in Matheran] Tourist Attractions: Louisa Point, Alexander Point, Charlotte Lake, Prabal Fort and Panorama Point are the major tourist attractions at Matheran. Activities: Couples can enjoy a round of boat ride on the tranquil Charlotte Lake. Catching the spectacular views of sunrise and sunset from Louisa Point and Alexander Point also rank high on the wish-list for tourists visiting Matheran. 7. Bhandardara Distance - 160 KM Located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, Bhandardara's tranquil ambience perfectly suits the tourists who are looking for a refreshing break from the grinds of daily life. Bounded by the Paravara river, Bhandardara is overflowing with nature's scenic creations. With its green hills, forested valleys, serene lakes and charming waterfalls, Bhandardara is sure to bowl you over. Tourist Attractions: Bhandardara has a number of interesting tourists spots. Must visit attractions at this charming hill station includes Arthur's Lake, Wilson Dam, Ratangad Fort, Harishchandragad For and Randha Falls. Besides there are several viewpoints that offer amazing panoramic shots of the Sahyadri ranges and Paravar river valley. Activities: Bhandardara is a huge hit among the hikers and trekkers. Mount Kalsubai, which is the highest mountain peak in Maharashtra, is located here. Standing tall with an altitude of over 5,500 feet, the Kalsubai peak offers a challenging trail to conquer for the ardent trekkers. Bhandardara to Ratnagad Fort is another popular trekking trail in this region. Tourists can also experience overnight camping near the Wilson Dam. Other Hill Stations Near Pune: There is no lack of charming hill stations near Pune. Besides the top seven hill stations as listed above, you may also opt to go to the below mentioned hill stations - which are within a radius of 240 KM from the Pune city. 8. Lavasa (Distance - 60 KM) 9. Rajmachi (Distance - 80 KM) 10. Malshej Ghats (Distance - 120 KM) 11. Panhala (Distance - 240 KM) 12. Jawhar (Distance - 240 KM) Regards, Deb
I would be very happy to get to where those three men are in the first photo. It looks very picturesque and the trip there would certainly be worth the walk. I do wonder if you are also allowed to camp out there and also be allowed to swim at the falls?
