The city of Pune is surrounded by the most scenic landscapes. But unfortunately, most of the tourists will go to the same old popular places every time. This post has some of the unexplored road trips from Pune city, which will definitely make your weekends much better. For these trips, you will obviously need your own bike or car.
MY TOP 5 FAVOURITE ROAD TRIPS FROM PUNE
Below is a list of some of my favourite road trips from Pune, where you will find amazing raw nature and no one except for a few locals.
Panshet to Lavasa hill city
I know Lavasa is the most popular place around Pune. But this road trip is not about going straight to Lavasa hill city. It is about going to Panshet and Varasgaon dams first. And then make your way towards Lavasa by driving along the backwaters of Varasgaon dam. The area around Varasgaon dam is so beautiful and untouched that it feels just like Switzerland. Varasgaon is one of the most underrated places near Pune.
When I did this road trip from Pune, there was a bad patch of roads starting near Varasgaon dam bridge and going all the way up to Lavasa hill city. This road is called Panshet to Lavasa road. It is around 30 km of road and it was full of gravel and stones, not a smooth tar road. You will need a good bike or car to go through this.
The views and landscape here are well worth the effort. I stopped along the way several times to savour the sparkling blue expanse of water on the left and green mountains on the right. And while coming back to Pune city, there is an amazing tar road from Lavasa all the way to Pune.
- Road trip route: Pune – Khadakwasla – Panshet boating – Varasgaon dam – Lavasa hill city.
- Best time to visit: Choose a sunny winter morning. The area is beautiful in the monsoon but water levels may keep changing drastically.
- Distance: Pune to Lavasa via Panshet and Varasgaon dams: 70 km; and Lavasa to Pune via Temghar dam: 125 km.
- Transport: A sturdy bike or car. For cycling mountain bike or a sturdy cycle will be necessary.
- Essentials: No washrooms or snacks stalls from Panshet boating to Lavasa. You can find food stalls at the Panshet boating area, or after you reach Lavasa hill city, nothing in between.
- Not for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Read more information about Panshet to Lavasa road trip.
Thokarwadi dam region in Maval
The area around Thokarwadi dam in Maval is full of waterfalls in the monsoon. The dam backwaters on the right and mountains and waterfalls on the left make this drive very interesting. When I visited this place in July, I found more than 20 waterfalls on this single stretch of roads. Moreover, you will find some farmlands and a few locals. Some notable waterfalls in the same order are – Jagtap waterfall, Mau waterfall, Bendewadi waterfalls, Lalwadi waterfall and cave. All the roads were smooth and they went through several farmlands.
- Road trip route: Pune – NH 48 – Dehu – Kamshet – Maval – Jagtap waterfall – Bendewadi – Lalwadi – Thokarwadi.
- Internet and cellphone reception was poor in the areas around Bendewadi and Lalwadi waterfalls.
- Best time to visit: Monsoon is the best time to visit, but be careful of the water levels near the dam.
- Distance: Around 70 km one way, and 70 km back.
- Transport: Any bike, car, moped or cycle will be good enough.
- Essentials: Some food stalls on NH 48 around Kamshet but nothing else. People living near Lalwadi waterfalls offer authentic Maharashtrian food.
- Most of the waterfalls are adjacent to the main road and easily accessible by wheelchairs and strollers.
- Read more information about the Thokarwadi dam and waterfalls
Necklace point and Bhatghar dam in Bhor
This road trip from Pune is very close to my heart. Because I went here alone after staying at home for 3 months in the lockdowns. Perfect scenery, farmlands, countryside and amazing locals will be the exact description for Bhor. The Yelwandi river forms a beautiful oxbow which can be seen from the main road going towards Bhor and Bhatghar dam. Bhatghar dam is a place straight out of heaven. I was the only person near the dam, so I had the entire place to myself.
- Road trip route: Pune – Sinhagad road – NH 48 – Jambhulwadi Lake – Katraj Tunnel – Necklace point – Bhatghar dam.
- Best time to visit: Monsoon is the best time to visit, but be careful of the water levels near the dam.
- Distance: Around 60 km one way, and 60 km back.
- Transport: Any bike, car, moped or cycle will be good enough.
- Essentials: Some food stalls near Necklace point and on the highway.
- Necklace point is accessible to wheelchairs or strollers, Bhatghar dam can also be seen from the main road.
- Read more information about Necklace point and Bhatghar dam road trip from Pune.
Thoseghar waterfalls and Chalkewadi windmills
Saying that every part of Satara is beautiful would be an understatement. I recently visited Thoseghar waterfalls and loved every part of the park around these waterfalls. The road trip to this place is equally scenic. The stretch of the road from Satara to Thoseghar was a smooth road with the most amazing views. There are a lot of windmills on the hills and mountains around this road. And they add up a unique motion to the whole landscape. At some point on this road, you will find so many windmills that you will lose their count.
- Road trip route: Pune – Satara – Thoseghar waterfalls – Chalkewadi windmills.
- Best time to visit: July to November for the waterfalls.
- Distance: 137 km one way and 137 km back.
- Transport: Any bike, car, moped or cycle will be good enough.
- Essentials: Some food stalls and washrooms near Thoseghar waterfall and in Satara city.
- Waterfalls are not accessible to wheelchairs and strollers
- Read more information about Thoseghar waterfalls in Satara.
Kas Pathar and Vajrai waterfall
Kas Pathar or Kas plateau is well known as the valley of flowers of Maharashtra. The drive from Satara city to actual Kas Pathar is the real magic. There are several mountains and water bodies on both sides of the roads. And what’s more every bit of land is sprinkled with flowers of all different types. Needless to say, you have to make several stops along the way to savour these roads and take pictures. Because every mile of this road is equally scenic.
- Road trip route: Pune – Satara – Kas Pathar – Vajrai waterfall
- Best time to visit: August to October.
- Distance: 125 km one way and 125 km back.
- Transport: Any bike, car, moped or cycle will be good enough.
- Essentials: Some food stalls and washrooms near Kas Pathar parking area and in Satara city.
- Read more information about Kas Pathar and Vajrai waterfall.
OTHER ROAD TRIPS FROM PUNE
Dive ghat and Mastani lake
Dive Ghat is another heaven in the monsoon. The clouds here will be racing up from the valley into your face. In distance, you can see the concrete jungle that is Pune city. And down below in the valley is the quaint lake called Mastani Lake. It is believed that Peshwa Bajirao and Mastani bai used to come here often at this place. And we can see that it is well worth it. The roads are always perfect here. But I suggest you visit this place only when it’s raining because that’s when all the magic happens. Sunsets at Mastani Lake are equally beautiful.
Read more information about Dive Ghat and Mastani lake.
Bopdev ghat near Saswad
This is the shortest and nearest road trip from Pune. Bopdev ghat is located in the area ahead of Kondhwa. From the lookout point here, you can often see clouds coming down into the valley below. And on one side is the concrete jungle of Pune city and on the other side are untouched hills and mountains. So if your short on time, head over here for a quick dose of nature and mountain roads.
Jambhulwadi lake
Jambhulwadi Lake is another beautiful place to witness the sunrise. The highway NH 48 winds up above and around this lake. There are a few places along the highway where you can park your vehicle. And you will find one or two shops selling tea and snacks early in the morning. Moreover, the sunsets here are equally magical. And at night the lights from all the surrounding buildings are reflected by the water.
Mulshi dam and Tamhini ghat
Tamhini Ghat is another wonderland of waterfalls in the monsoon. The place comes alive with several waterfalls, lush greenery and clouds. You should combine your visit to Tamhini ghat with a visit to Mulshi dam nearby. The Andharban jungle is also close by. Mulshi dam is one of the largest dams near Pune city, and it should be on your Pune bucket list. One more place to visit in Tamhini Ghat is the Plus valley. It is a valley in the shape of a plus, and there is a trek down to some untouched waterfalls at this place.
Dudhiware khind and waterfalls
Dudhiware khind is a unique place near Pawna dam and Tung fort in Maval. It is close to Kamshet and Lonavala too. The road here goes through the mountain with tall cliffs on both sides. In the monsoon, Dudhiware waterfall is a beautiful cascade. And you can even do some waterfall rappelling at Dudhiware waterfall for an added adventure.
Madhe ghat
Madhe Ghat is a beautiful stretch of mountain roads near the Raigad district. It is closer to Bhatghar dam backwaters and Raigad and Rajgad forts. And yes, all the surrounding mountains have several waterfalls in the monsoon. One of them is simply known as Madhe ghat waterfall. Madhe ghat is another route connecting the Deccan plateau and the Konkan region.
Malshej ghat and Pimpalgaon Joga dam
Malshej Ghat is more closer to Mumbai rather than Pune. The drive will be through clouds and numerous waterfalls in the monsoon. One of the waterfalls is called ‘Car-wash waterfall’ and it literally soaks everything on the road below. The Pimpalgaon Joga dam and its backwaters are visible in the valley below.
MOST POPULAR ROAD TRIPS FROM PUNE (to avoid)
Below are the most popular road trips from Pune city. I am mentioning them just for the sake of it. These places are crowded, overused and the best example of over-tourism.
- Khadakwasla dam road trip
- Lonavala road trip
- Pawna Lake road trip
- Panchgani road trip
- Mahabaleshwar road trip
- Tapola road trip
- Bhimashankar road trip
- Pune to Goa road trip
If you are from Pune or visiting Pune, you can check my Pune Travel Guide here.
Very Informative… Keep it up