Pune, a youth-oriented city, is ideally located near the most scenic getaway places that are just a weekend road trip away. From beaches to mountains, to trekking and religious trips, you and your loved ones can venture out to several places easily accessible from Pune. Without any further ado, let’s take a quick look at some of the best destinations for a fun scenic trip from Pune:
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Mahabaleshwar
Nestled at an altitude of 4,500 ft in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most sought-after hill stations around Pune, known for its immaculate weather, lush greenery and strawberry farms.
Best Time To Visit
The whimsical hill station is situated in the Sahyadri mountain ranges, and is blessed with moderate climate conditions all year around. Summers are not very hot while the winters are just cold enough with the monsoons bringing a lot of heavy showers. The period between October to June is probably the best season to enjoy the hill station in its full glory.
The summers are quite amiable and you would enjoy the overall vibe as it is characterised by cool and pleasant climatic conditions. There are a range of activities varying from sightseeing to laid-back holidaying to adventure activities you could do during this time. Plan carefully around the monsoons, but if you enjoy the showers, you can visit the lakes and waterfalls which replenishes with new vigour. The winters are pretty cold and beautiful to witness, as you can enjoy the strawberry season by having fresh strawberries and other berry products to your heart’s content.
Best Routes
The best route which will connect you seamlessly from Pune to Mahabaleshwar is via the NH48, which is most recommended and is used regularly by travellers. The distance between Pune and Mahabaleshwar is about 120 km and will take you around 3 hours to complete the journey. The route has tolls with some heavy interstate traffic on the way, so it is recommended to check the maps prior to starting your journey.
However, you would witness some of the best natural wonders, sights and monuments on your journey on this route. The road conditions are excellent and it takes the least time among other routes. You could also drive down the Hadapsar-Saswad route which is around 153 km away and takes around 4 and a half hours to cover.
Places Of Interest
You are not short of fun places to witness along the Pune to Mahabaleshwar route via the NH48. Stop by the Nanded Fort, which is surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenlands for a visual treat. The beautiful Sahastrakund Waterfall is present nearby for a quick plunge into the fresh, cold waters. Many tourists do stop along the section of highway along the Satara Ghat, for some panoramic views of the Sahyadri mountains.
The Mapro Gardens is the most famous strawberry and seasonal fruit farm adorned with a food park, themed gardens and outdoor activities, making it great for a short tour and refreshment break. You can round off the day at Wai village, the quaint countryside giving you a peek into the local community and to catch a scenic sunset view.
Kolad
Kolad is a small hamlet in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, boasting of numerous scenic valleys, and offering stunning views of the surrounding mist-laden hills and dense evergreen forests.
Best Time To Visit
During the months of June to September, Kolad is at its prime with natural beauty and weather making it the best time to visit this little village. The monsoons replenish the surroundings at this time, and the water levels during these months are also ideal for several activities such as river rafting. Kolad looks extremely breathtaking with lush greenery and misty mountains.
If you prefer slightly milder conditions with lesser chances of rain, then you would be well off visiting Kolad in the months of October and November. This weather is suited for trying adventure activities, such as hiking, camping, trekking and bungee jumping. However, summers around March to May are too hot and sultry with temperatures nearing 40 degrees celsius and hence, must be avoided.
Best Routes
The journey from Pune to Kolad takes around 113.2 km and can be covered in around 3 hours 15 minutes. There are several ways to reach Kolad, but the best route is through the Pune-Pirangut-Mulshi Road, where you drive through the scenic Tamhini Ghat to reach your destination.
The road conditions are good, as you go through moderate traffic experiencing some incredible views down this route. The journey is just incredible and filled with picturesque views of mountains, ponds, waterfalls, lakes and lush greenery. You can choose to take a bike ride and enjoy the open views and crisp air, or you could take a car ride during monsoons to get the best experience. There is an alternate route via Paud Road which is beautiful to drive down as well, but it is a bit longer.
Places Of Interest
There are plenty of attractions in and around Kolad for you to enjoy. You’d be driving through the Tamhini Ghat, where you can find the Valse waterfalls, a popular attraction here. Its modest peaks and lush greenery make it a favourite spot for visitors. The Kansai Waterfalls and hot springs at Uddhar are situated near these falls.
Between the Revdanda and the Salav Creeks, you would find the majestic Ghosala Fort, renowned for its beautiful architecture and design. There are two intricate temples and a dargah in the fort complex as well. Kuda Mandad caves, part of the Janjira Hills, portray 13 Buddhist caves, adorned with several sculptures, paintings and inscriptions. At last, you would find the Plus Valley, a medium trekking trail in the shape of a plus sign, known for its spectacular views.
Lavasa
Lavasa is a private, planned city situated near Pune and is stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino, boasting stunning architecture and tourist attractions making it quite popular.
Best Time To Visit
Lavasa is a place which is enjoyable throughout the year, but the best time to visit here is around the winter and monsoon months. Around October to March, the weather ranges from 16 to 30 degrees celsius and it is perfect to marvel at the beautiful outdoors and take part in fun activities. Monsoons here witness heavy rains with cool breeze blowing, and the whole place is bathed in hues of lush green. The hills are shrouded in heavy mist lending it a surreal, scenic appearance.
Summers are tolerable, but have higher temperatures reaching about 35 degrees celsius. The pleasant weather means you could enjoy a scenic solo bike ride or even drive down by car if you want to enjoy the pleasantries offered by monsoon in and around Lavasa.
Best Routes
The geography of this scenic town provides a view of the lofty Sahyadri Range, making it a grand experience. So, you would ideally make sure you enjoy the most of this scenic route as there are about three ways to reach Lavasa from Pune. The journey is around 57.3 km taking 2 hours to reach your destination. You can opt to drive via Sus Road and Temghar-Lavasa Road or via Hinjewadi-Pirangut Road and Temghar-Lavasa Road.
The roads are very safe and the conditions are good and well-maintained. There are several stops along the way including restaurants and a dam. Once you approach the ghat area, you have to carefully encounter steep and sharp turns. If you drive safely down here, it is not much of an issue with the limited traffic and you get to enjoy some great views. You should plan ahead to ensure a hassle-free journey and the Pune to Lavasa drive will definitely be a scenic, enjoyable experience.
Places Of Interest
Once you drive down the Temghar-Lavasa route, you pass by the massive Temghar dam, an earthfill and gravity dam built on the river Muthu. It is a major source of water for the neighbouring cities here. The dam offers some enticing panoramic views of the Temghar reservoir and the city. The beautiful site is used as a local picnic spot both by the tourists and locals.
You would certainly enjoy the Lakeside Promenade which is a major tourist attraction here. The promenade offers a variety of eateries and food options, plus also facilitates boating activities. You could even choose to stroll around the peaceful town as it is an ideal location for cycling. Make sure you visit Bamboosa, a cultural centre which highlights the importance and relevance of bamboo products. The forests are brimming with bamboo trees, so it is a great initiative to popularise the products of bamboo.
Summary
Pune is surrounded by every possible scenery, ranging from mighty mountains, lakes, waterfalls, religious destinations and wildlife sanctuaries. You could choose to relax and take a romantic trip or even go wild and indulge in outdoor adventure activities.
The city is amidst the dearth of nature, which means you can quickly disconnect from the monotonous, boring city life and plunge into the beauty of the Ghats. The places mentioned in the article portrays spots with different flavours and variety. You should try to plan in advance, look and read more about your destination, to enjoy a scenic, scintillating ride around the city of Pune with your loved ones.
