Located amidst the green hills of Maharashtra, Lonwal is one of the most popular tourist destinations for those looking for a quiet migration from the crowd. Lonavala: Dubbed as ‘Sahyadi’s jewelry’ and ‘cities of caves’, the hill station is famous for its beautiful views in green -colored valleys, beautiful waterfalls, cool lakes and attractive caves.
With numerous attractions ranging from historical monuments, natural wonders, spiritual sites, it always impacts the tourists. So here are the most amazing tourist places in Lonavala that you should not miss during your vacation for an impeccable soaking in this beautiful town in 2023. We have also mentioned the location details, pictures, entry fees, and the best time to visit for your comfort.
Table of Contents
Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
1. Tiger’s Leap | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
Tiger’s Leap is a prime tourist spot at a height of 650 metres above sea level, surrounded by nature. Due to its leap shaped structure, this viewpoint is known as Tiger’s Leap and its one of the most favorite spots for the hikers and trekkers. You can always manage to pack some picnic lunch and visit this place for some good time with some special ones of your and this beautiful place also has an echo point and a stream nearby.
2. Bhaja Caves | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
Among national monuments are the Bhaja Caves, a complex of spectacular rock-cut caves. The caves, believed to be the oldest among all caves in India, belong to the 2nd – 1st century BCE timeframe, the fine Buddhist excavations in these caves belong to the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. These caves are mainly formed of Chaityas and Viharas which can be explored through the gorges and dips in the nearby waterfall whilst covering the valleys.
3. Karla Caves | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
Karla Caves are a popular tourist attraction near Bhaja Caves with the largest and best preserved Hinayana Buddhist Chaitya in the country, which you must not miss. It contains the oldest rock-cut caves in the country, the oldest, dating back to the 1st century BCE, belonging to the Mahasamghika school of Buddhisms.
You will be captivated and mesmerized by the artistic decorative motifs, stucco work, sculptures, inscriptions, stupas, pillars, and 37-pillar aisle with over 2000 years old living beams at Karla caves. At the entrance, you will also see a newly constructed temple using pillars from the Buddhist period.
4. Bhushi Dam | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
The popular Bhushi Lake is formed by the Bhushi Dam which happens to be among the best places near me to visit for picnics with family and friends. This masonry dam, accessible by steps, allows you to sit and soak in the warm sunlight and the beautiful views of the surroundings from this dam created out of the Indrayani River. If you visit during the weekend, particularly in the monsoon season, you can have difficulty finding an acceptable place to sit on the steps. Because of the inconsistency in flow of water, swimming is banned here.
5. Duke’s Nose | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
As Lonavala is a hill station, it also has a lot of vantage points such as the Duke’s Nose, named after the Duke of Wellington for its similar shape. Nagphani is also known as Nagphani as it looks like a snake’s hood and the peak has Mahadev temple. Along with beautiful surroundings to amaze nature lovers, this place has long paths and rocky outcrops where trekking, rock-climbing, rappelling, and hiking are done. You can also visit it as a picnic spot with your friends and family for a fun outing.
6. Tikona Fort | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
This most visited historical fort of the Maratha empire is known as Tikona Fort which gets its name from the triangular shape and an elevation of 1066 metres above sea level. After it fell into the hands of the Mughals, it was regained by Shivaji Maharaj in the 1670s and remained under Maratha rule (known as Vitandgad) until the rule of Sambhaji. Inside the fort, there is a broken temple, a huge stone wheel, and a Buddhist cave at the top of the fort. We reach the entrance of the fort through a small cave, which takes you through the guard tower and five caves.
7. Pawna Lake | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
Pawna Lake Lonavala is a famous picnic and camping site in Lonavala, owing to its breathtaking scenery. The Pawna lake is created by the Pawna Dam which impounds the waters of the Pavana River, a pristine escape into the cradle of the nature. Apart from being surrounded by natural beauty, here you can get a birds eye view of Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, and Tunga Fort, thus providing picturesque view to capture memories.
The ability to picnic here with any motor and rowing boating, making it a favorable addition to the list. Monsoon is the peak season of this place which is filled with astonishing sites, but you can explore barbeques on the lake in winter too.
8. Lohagad Fort | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
While in Lonavala, one must visit the Lohagad Fort (Iron Fort), another architectural wonder of the Marathas. The Hill Fort got its name as an impregnable edifice because of its strategic location at a height o 1050 metres above sea level. This historic site has seen the rise and fall of many dynasties over the centuries, including the Nizams, the Marathas and the Mughals. It is popular among adventure seekers as well due to the trek to reach the fort where you can view the Vinchu Kata- Capricorn Hills apart from history buffs and nature lovers.
9. Park Ryewood | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
One of Lonavala’s popular picnic spots, Ryewood Park is dotted with landscaped lawns, lush gardens and a children’s park. This park was transformed from a botanical garden into a park after the renovations. The 25-acre (10-hectare) park has many old trees, ornamental plants, flowerbeds and other botanical species. A kids’ playground with swings entertains junior visitors for hours, while alongside the Shiva temple. So get your picnic basket and visit this park with your family and friends for a good time.
10. Valvan Dam | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
Lonavala is definitely a place that is a-visual place, it is Rajmachi Fort, also known as Manoraranjan Balekila. Built by the famous Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, it is a historical fort built in two parts, which is built in two parts called Shrivadan and Manaranjan, which is built in a bumpy hill at a height of about 3000 feet Is, which is cautious on the atmosphere.
There are many caves and temples in this ancient fort and around it, including the Bhairav ​​Temple tomorrow which are before the fort. This heavenly place is very much loved by holidays, especially nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts, as it provides stunning views of greenery.
11. Valley of Canyons | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
Spotted with flora and fauna along River Ulhas, Canyon Valley is one of Lonavala’s most beautiful places. Because of its journey, the valley is a common one-day journey for people from Mumbai and Pune. Instead of climbing up from the start, you have to walk down to the valley and then walk up to the top.
A breakaway was also welcome here to the side of the waterfall at the end of the Canyon Valley trek to admire the view and feel the water droplets on you. Once you feel rested up, you can begin the back up the trail. Even though it has a steep and somewhat hard ascent, the beautiful route is a boost. Kune Village lies between Lonavala and Khandala.
12. Fort Visapur | Best Places to Visit in Lonavala
One of the first taste locations in Lonavala, Visapur Fort was built by the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire Balaji Vishwanath. Located in a sea level altitude of 1084 metres in the same plateau as the Lohagad Fort, this beautiful hill fort serves incredible views while individuals interested in history and nature flock around here. The rocky trekking trail provides an adventure that gets etched in the memory and adds the overall charm of your visit — this is also a popular place for trekkers who find thrill in quiet places.
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