Visapur Fort: Explore A Monsoon Trek In Pune Through A Staircase Waterfall

If you are looking for a monsoon trek that has historical relevance, Visapur Fort is for you. Resting on lush green bounties, this fort near Visapur village is one of the most popular places to visit near Pune. The fort, located almost 52 km from the city, was captured in the 1660s by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The place is ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers who love offbeat trekking locations. Here, you can trek through a staircase waterfall. This is an easy, monsoon trek. It starts from Baje village, which is the base for this trek.

Visapur Fort was built to guard the Lohagad Fort. Hence, the Visapur Fort is bigger and higher. It stands at an elevation of 1,084 metres and Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 metres. Its main characteristic is the strong fortification built on a broad plateau. While much of the fort is in ruins, the fort's top offers spectacular views of the Sahyadris.

The best time to visit the fort is between July and February, basically during the monsoon and post-monsoon months. The landscape is blanketed in a carpet of lush green with small waterfalls cascading down the surrounding hills. Visapur Fort in monsoon is beautiful, and the weather also makes the trail more enjoyable. Note that it is one of the famous treks in the Mumbai-Pune regions and gets crowded during weekends. So, plan accordingly.

If you start your day early, Visapur Fort and Lohagad Fort can be covered easily on the same day. Hikers also prefer to explore Tunga Fort, which can be viewed from the top of Visapur Fort. Tunga Fort is home to the goddess Tungi, so you'll also find a small temple there. You can have a picnic at Valvan Dam, which is half an hour away from the fort. This dam is an excellent water resource for nearby villages. You can spend some quality time with your family and kids in the lush green surroundings. Just remember to keep your distance and follow all warning signs, especially during monsoon season.

Bhaja Cave: It consists of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC. In the past, these caves served as residences for Buddhist monks. All mythology buffs and history enthusiasts should visit this place.

Duke's Nose: It is a beautiful viewpoint, named after the Duke of Wellington, whose nose resembled the shape of a cliff. Duke's Nose is 7 kilometres from Lonavala and has long trails that witness adventure seekers trekking and hiking.

Amrutanjan Point: It offers panoramic views of the beauty of Khopoli. You won't find any commercialisation here, so it's a great picnic spot. Also, do check out Bhushi Lake. If you're a nature lover, this is a must-see. This spot is located in Khandala and is ideal for relaxing by the water on a lazy afternoon.

How To Reach Visapur Fort: You can drive down. There is a pay-and-park service. You can also take an ST bus from Swargate and get down at Malavali Bus Stop. From there, you can easily reach the fort by an auto. Apart from this, you can catch a local train to Lonavala which runs every 30 minutes from Pune Railway Station, and get down at Malavali Station.

Time Required To Explore: 3 hours

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Google Ratings: 4.5/5

The path of the Visapur Fort in monsoon gets slippery, so wear good grip shoes. There are eating joints at the base of the trek but you won't find any food stalls on the way to the fort. Hence, it is recommended that you carry your food and a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated. Pack extra clothes, including socks, considering that most of the way up is on a waterfall trail, including some warm clothes for the evening. Plus, take a good camera to capture some stunning landscapes.