Lohagad Fort, Lonavala

Lohagad Fort, Lonavala | History, Timing & Entry Ticket Fee

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lohagad Fort is a powerful fort around 52 kilometers from Pune, rising to a height of 3400 feet. This location, which is perched atop a striking hill close to Malavali, is the ideal fusion of historic architecture and scenic beauty. Constructed in the 18th century, Lohagad Fort is a popular trekking and nature-loving destination, particularly for those from Pune and Mumbai. This fort used to house Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s treasury.

Because the hike to the fort is short and ideal for beginners, it is a popular destination for hikers. Apart from its exhilarating trekking path, Lohagad Fort is a huge building that was formerly ruled by the powerful Maratha Empire. It is also connected to its twin, Visapur Fort. The base of the fort was fairly remote from the last place connected by road until a few years ago. However, a decent road has since been constructed to the base of the fort, which is why Lohagad gets very popular on monsoon weekends. Whether you visit this destination for its lush green beauty, adventurous trekking route, panoramic views or illustrious history, Lohagad Fort is certainly worthy of a visit.

History of Lohagad Fort

Two Hindi words—Loha, which means iron, and Gad, which means fort—are the origin of the name Lohagad.
The dynasties of the Lohatmia, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahmanis, Nizams, Mughals, and Marathas were all overthrown by the British at the fort.

The Nizam Shahi Sultanate controlled the fort for a century before the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb took over in 1636.

When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took over the fort in 1648 AD, it reached its peak.

The defense of the area was strategically aided by Lohagad Fort. It served as both a lookout post to track enemy movements and a prison for political detainees.

In 1665 AD, the Marathas were forced to cede 23 forts, including Lohagad Fort, as part of the Purandar Treaty.
The Mughals eventually retook the fort. The Peshwa regained control in 1720 AD, and Nana Fadnavis remodeled the fort after taking over in 1770.

The fort was fortified by Nana Fadnavis by 1789, but by 1803, the British arrived with strong artillery to take it.
General Prother finally took control of the fort on March 4, 1818, and the British thereafter exploited it for their own purposes.

Architecture of Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort is a huge fort that is widely spaced and stands 3400 feet tall. It is made up of four entrances from the neighboring village: Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuma Darwaja, and Maha Darwaja. The Maha Darwaja has some exquisite sculptures carved out of it. Vinchu Kata, a group of hills that resemble Capricorn, is its most well-known location.

How to reach Lohagad Fort 

The best method to get to Lohagad Fort is to take a taxi to Lohagadwadi village, which is the base point, and then hike all the way up to the fort. Since there are stone steps leading all the way to the top of the fort, the hike is actually rather easy and doesn’t take long. You should be able to reach the summit in roughly 45 minutes if you walk at a leisurely pace, not including the time needed to pause and take in the scenery along the route. Please be aware that during the monsoon, there is a constant flow of water on these steps; therefore, watch for moss on the stones and refrain from stepping on them.

Best Time to Visit Lohagad Fort 

The monsoon season is the ideal time to visit Lohagad Fort because of the rains, which give the area a lush, green appearance and provide a significant break from the sun. During this time of year, the ponds and water cisterns on top of the fort are full, and if you feel up to it, you can jump into them! Please be aware, nevertheless, that driving to the base village gets somewhat uncomfortable during the rainy season due to the poor state of the roads. The route to the summit becomes rather slick due to the intense rain, but if you take your time and are cautious, it is actually fairly safe.

Availability of Night Trek: Though trekking can be undertaken during the night as well, the unavavailability of proper illumination facilities can prove to be a major roadblock.

Height above sea level: 3420 feet

Nearest Airport: Pune

Nearest Railhead: Malavali

Starting point of trek: Malavali

Timings : Morning to sunset