Pune’s vicinity to the Sahyadri range ensures a hill station, fort, waterfalls or lake destination doesn’t need you to drive for hours away. This is a handy, experiential guide to the top attractions near Pune, less than 100 kilometers from the city, and how to travel to these places.
Pune is located on the Western Ghats and that’s precisely why weekend escapes from Pune have become a “trend” here. Leave the house just after breakfast, and you can hit a fort or waterfall with mid-morning and drive back home for a nice home-made dinner, just as it should be. For every rainy day drive to some remote water fall or a safe place for family to relax and have lunch, or for trek lovers to scale up a lesser difficult fort without the entire day being consumed, there exists something an hour to two drive away! Find some best places near Pune that make the trip worthwhile, and then, if necessary book Cab Rental to Pune! Planning a weekend escape from Pune?
Book a Cab from PuneHill Stations Near Pune for a Quick Weekend Escape

If the idea of cool climate and panoramic views of mountains appeal to you, but you do not want to travel too far you will not find a more typical choice of hill station near Pune.
Lonavala and Khandala (Approx. 65 km)
These are perhaps still the most loved hill stations near Pune-and with good reason, as the Ghat road itself are very beautiful. The two towns with their viewpoints, historic British era tunnels, and the famous Lonavala chikki shops. There are spectacular sunrises views to be seen from Tiger’s Point and Duke’s Nose and the waterfalls encountered along the Ghat road, especially during the monsoons, can certainly be an attraction worth stopping for. This is a trip suitable for a full day's trip from Pune and will take around 90 minutes on road, via the Mumbai Pune Expressway.
Lavasa (Approx. 60 km)
A planned lakeside township, Lavasa, is built along the water-front on the lines of Italian cities on the western shores of a lake built on the Mulshi river, quieter than Lonavala and just a day out at Lavasa can be best enjoyed for relaxing rather than having a thoroughly adventures trip. The road to Lavasa via the Mulshi Ghat is equally beautiful especially post-monsoons when the hills get clad in lush green view.
Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar (Just Over 100 km)
At just over the 100 km mark from Pune (105 – 120 km approx), Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar are often included in the weekend destinations list, therefore they merit to be mentioned. If you have the time for an entire day and the added travel over 100km will not put you off, there is plenty to be enjoyed and seen at their strawberry farms, Table land and the viewpoints.
Forts and Trekking Spots Around Pune

One of the most compelling reason for people to scout for trekking places near Pune has to be the array of fort trails in Maharashtra. And as far as the forts themselves are concerned, many of them can be done in a half day or a full day excursion.
Sinhagad Fort (Approx. 35 km away)
The closest and most famous fort near Pune, Sinhagad can also be the most crowded, especially on weekends. The trek is moderate, the views at the top of the valley can extend far and wide and the stall selling pithla-bhakri and corn at the top has become a part of the entire experience for those who trek up. It’s definitely a decent starting point for those new to trekking in and around Pune.
Rajmachi Fort and Tamhini Ghat (Approx. 55-65 km away)
Considered one of the popular forts for trekkers due to the twin forts it holds (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan), Rajmachi is also a longer trek. Tamhini Ghat on the Pune-Mulshi road however isn't so much of a trekking adventure, but instead focuses on the sheer pleasure of the ride itself through a misty veil, the plush green forests and the periodic waterfalls that come alive during the monsoons.
Purandar Fort (Approx. 50 km away)
One of the historically significant forts near Pune, Purandar is considered the birthplace of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Since it is a moderately less-crowded trek than Sinhagad and relatively easier, Purandar Fort might just be your choice if you’re looking to experience a fort but wouldn’t like the hassle of weekend crowds.
Dams, Lakes and Nature Spots Near Pune

Mulshi Dam and Panshet Dam (Almost 45-50 km away)
One of the best places for picnic spots near Pune that is popular among people wanting to have fun near the water. Panshet is especially well-known during post-monsoon for boating and water sports activities, whereas Mulshi is more popular among photographers and to admire the view of the lake and backwaters along the dam road.
Bhimashankar (Almost 110 km away)
It is a Jyotirlinga temple as well as wildlife sanctuary a little outside the 100 Km distance and many visits it along with a small trek as well. Bhimashankar can’t really miss a list of places to visit nearby Pune although the distance.
Quick Reference: Distance and Travel Time from Pune
| Destination | Approx. Distance from Pune | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Lonavala / Khandala | ~65 km | Family trips, sightseeing |
| Sinhagad Fort | ~35 km | Trekking, half-day trip |
| Mulshi Dam | ~50 km | Picnics, photography |
| Panshet Dam | ~50 km | Boating, day outing |
| Lavasa | ~60 km | Relaxed day trip |
| Purandar Fort | ~50 km | History, easy trekking |
| Rajmachi Fort | ~60 km | Trekking, camping |
| Tamhini Ghat | ~60 km | Monsoon drive |
How to Reach These Places: Self-Drive, Bus, or Cab Booking
Most of these destinations are well connected by state highways, so getting there isn't complicated. The main decision is how you want to travel.
- Self-drive: Straightforward for places like Lonavala or Mulshi, but hill roads to forts like Rajmachi or Purandar can be narrow and steep, so it helps to be comfortable with Ghat driving.
- State transport buses: Budget-friendly for popular routes like Lonavala, though schedules can be limited for smaller villages near forts and dams.
- Cab booking or taxi booking: The easiest option for families, groups, or anyone who wants to skip the driving and the return-trip fatigue, especially after a trek.
If you're comparing options, a one-day cab booking usually works out convenient for door-to-door travel, especially for spots like Panshet or Rajmachi where public transport is limited. It also means someone else handles the Ghat sections, which is a real advantage on the way back after a long day outdoors.
Book a Cab for Your Pune Weekend Trip with CabBazar
Thinking of planning a day trip to one of these places? CabBazar provides taxi booking and cab booking services to nearby places from Pune (local and outstation) in the forms of a 1-day round trip, hourly car rentals or drop services.
Select your destinations, select a pickup time and then relax. CabBazar will drive you around - sedan, SUV or tempo travelers will be provided to accommodate families, groups or solo travelers accordingly.
On-time pickup, drivers whom you can trust and fixed prices are some of the reasons why picking CabBazar to plan a week-end trip from Pune.
Best time to visit popular weekend places near Pune:
The monsoon (June-September) period makes it a wonderful place to visit, the waterfalls near Pune are gushing with water, and Lonavala, Mulshi, Tamhini and Kamshet turn lush green. However, for the treks, you may need to start early since it is a popular time to visit and due to slippery roads and weekend crowds the places get very packed and need to have special driving techniques. Winter (October-February) makes it best to go for treks as it is comparatively less warm and sunny with clearer days for views with fort visits being possible easily. Summer only remains favorable for visiting Dams or Lakes as going for treks is not recommended since it gets too hot.
Tips Before You Plan a Day Trip from Pune
- Start early, ideally before 7 AM, to avoid weekend traffic on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Satara routes.
- Carry cash for local stalls and toll roads; card acceptance is limited in smaller towns.
- Check weather updates before monsoon treks in Ghat sections for landslide warnings during heavy rain.
- Fill fuel before leaving the city if you're self-driving, since pump availability drops near hill routes.
- If travelling with elderly family members, prefer dam and lake spots over steep fort climbs.
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