Bold, Beautiful and Adventurous Places to Visit in Lonavala

Nestled in the Sahyadri Ranges in western India, Lonavala is a beautiful hill station. With rolling hills, clear skies, green valleys and splendid scenery, Lonavala is a perfect weekend getaway from Mumbai, Pune and other cities of Maharashtra. Well connected by rail and road, there are several places to visit in Lonavala that attract tourists around the year. In fact, there is a heady mix of natural, historical, entertaining and adventurous places to explore in Lonavala. 

Best places to visit in Lonavala

Lonavala comes from two words – ‘leni’ meaning caves and ‘avali’ meaning series. Thus, cave series or multiple cave topography is one of the main highlights of the hill station. Besides, there are also many Lonavala sightseeing places that are all about fun and adventure. Here is taking a look at some of the best places of interest in Lonavala.

Wet’nJoy Lonavala

Set against the lovely landscapes of Lonavala, the Wet’nJoy Amusement and Waterpark is an exhilarating theme park for people of all ages. The fabulous range of water and adventure rides makes it an exciting spot to visit in Lonavala. With world class rides, excellent services and affordable pricing, Wet’nJoy Lonavala attracts visitors from far and wide.

The theme park is also easily accessible as it is close to the bus stop and Lonavala railway station. So what is so special about Wet’nJoy Lonavala? From stunning water rides, such as Nightmare, Cyclone, Free Fall, Tornado and Master Blaster to thrill air rides, such as Giant Frisbee, Delta Hoppla, Turbo Force and Sky Screamer, this adventure park is tailor made for adrenaline junkies. Yet, kids and elderly also have a great time here, enjoying the quieter soothing rides. Lazy River, Carnival, Water Mania, Galleon Kite Flyer and other family rides are for those who want to relax and enjoy with loved ones.

Besides the rides, Wet’nJoy Lonavala is known for offering facilities, such as wheelchair services, parking space, lockers, changing rooms, restaurants, food stalls and more.

Bhushi Dam

Bhushi Dam built on the Indrayani River is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala during the monsoons. The stepped waterfall is perfect for travellers to sit on and splash in the waters. Be sure to carry an extra pair of clothing as you will get wet! Also, the access to the waterfall and dam area can get slippery, so one must be careful if travelling with kids. Note that the dam area is closed during the evenings and one has to walk along a lane from the parking space to reach the dam area.

Bhaja Caves

Bhaja Caves date back to the 2nd century and are a group or series of stunning 22 rock cut caves. About an half hours drive from central Lonavala the Bhaja Caves are at an elevation of 400 feet over the village of Bhaja. These caves are believed to be carved by the early Buddhist schools in the state. Each of the caves have stupas and the mesmerizingly detailed and beautiful carvings and sculptures are an indication of the rich archeology and history of the region. The Chaityagriha or large shrine is a significant feature of the Bhaja Caves and it also has images of the Buddha. This is a definite spot to visit in Lonavala to appreciate ancient art and history.

Karla Caves

Like the Bhaja Caves, the Karla Caves are one of the interesting places to explore in Lonavala. The caves are located in Karli, 10km away from Lonavala. These caves date back to between the 2nd century BCE and 5th century CE. The Karla caves are thus, the older and smaller cave rock structures in the area. One of the main attractions is the Grand Chaitya in Cave 8 which is also the biggest rock cut chaitya of India. The sculptures are of different figures, including humans and animals. There are 300 plus steps to climb before one can reach the caves. Out of all the Lonavala places to go, the Karla caves remind us of a rich heritage that also manifests the sheer skill and mastery of the earlier artists.

Tikona Fort

Tikona Fort is also known as Vitandgad. A prominent hill fort of western India, it is located 26 km from Lonavala. This triangular or pyramid shaped fort is situated on a height of 3500 feet. It is one of the best spots to visit in Lonavala for trekkers and adventure lovers. From the fort there are excellent views of the Pavana Dam and other forts in the vicinity, such as Tung, Visapur and Lohagad.

Trekkers enjoy coming to the Tikora Fort to enjoy the surrounding views. Besides, one can also explore the temple, water tanks and Satvahan caves inside the fort area.

Rajmachi Fort

Another popular Lonavala spot to visit is the Rajmachi Fort. Consisting of two forts, the Manaranjan and Shrivardhan forts, the Rajmachi Fort is a famous trek of Maharashtra. The fort falls in between Lonavala and Karjat standing tall at a height of 2750 feet. The trek trail can start from either Lonavala or Karjat, as both the routes are equally splendid and beautiful. From Lonavala it is a 15km relatively easy trek to Rajmachi.

Rajmachi Fort is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala for adventure enthusiasts. One can trek, camp and watch the hundreds of fireflies at night. This historical fort offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape that should not be missed!

Pawna Dam

Pawana or Pavana or Pawna Lake is an artificial reservoir lake. The Pawna Dam was built to generate hydroelectricity and water supply. It is about 25 km from Lonavala and is one of the great places to explore in Lonavala. Known as a wonderful picnic and camping spot, it is also an important destination for agro-tourism. It is the perfect weekend getaway to camp in tents, light bonfires, have barbeques and long night conversations with friends.

Tungarli Lake

Like Pawna Lake, Tungarli Lake is another backpackers destination. Responsible for a large supply of water to Lonavala, the Tungarli Dam was constructed during the British era. Tourists can enjoy the astounding views of the surrounding hills while picnicking or camping here. It is one of the best Lonavala places to go during the monsoons. The water level is high during the rains and there is freshness and greenery all around. There are food stalls and counters around the picnic area as well.

Tiger’s Leap

Tiger’s Leap, also called Waghdari, is a staggeringly gorgeous cliff with a sudden drop of 650m. The peak or cliff top offers splendid views of the ranges, forests, waterfalls and lakes of the surrounding landscape. The cool fresh breeze and cloudy skies add to the already existing charm of the place. For nature lovers and photography enthusiasts, this is the best place to visit in Lonavala.

Lion’s Point

The Lion’s Point is approximately 12 km from Lonavala station and quite close to Tiger’s Leap. It is one of the most popular places of interest in Lonavala for its marvellous scenery. Nature is at its best here, and it is a privilege to catch the sunrise and sunset from this point. The views are majestic and tourists can also spot the Tungarli Dam and lake from here. There are local food stalls and sufficient parking space available as well.

Duke’s Nose

10 km from Lonavala railway station lies the Duke’s Nose. One of the top places to explore in Lonavala, it is a popular trekking spot. It has been named after the Duke of Wellington as it resembles the structure of his nose! It is also known as Nagphani as it looks like a snake’s hood. It is an excellent trekking, rock climbing, camping and hiking destination and is visited by adventure travellers all throughout the year. Adventure sports, such as zip lining, rappelling and traversing are also popular here.

Kune Falls

The impressive Kune waterfalls are visible from the Rajmachi Fort. Located near the Kune Village, around 4 km from Lonavala station, it is undoubtedly, one of the leading places to visit in Lonavala. Enveloped by lush greenery, this three tier waterfall falls from an altitude of 622m. Perfect for clicking photos, bathing, swimming and having a wonderful picnic, the Kune Waterfall is a natural wonder. There is also the Kune Church a little away from the waterfall, that tourists can pay a visit to.

Lonavala Lake

The Lonavala lake is a monsoon lake, for it fills up during the rains and dries in the summers and winters. A relaxing spot to visit in Lonavala, tourists can boat, swim and enjoy bird watching around the lake area. The neighbouring landscape is pretty and beautiful with the lake as the central attraction. Also, the delicious street food stalls around the lake are an added attraction.

Valvan Dam

The Valvan or Walwan Dam is built across the Indrayani River. The dam provides water to Lonavala, Khandala and the Khopoli Power Plant. It is one of the quieter places to explore in Lonavala. The surrounding gardens are perfect for a day’s picnic. The views are beautiful and serene.

Wax Museum 

There are a few wax museums in Lonavala that visitors can tour. Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum for instance has wax statues of famous celebrities of the world. The Lonavala wax museum is located in Valvan and is a decent spot to visit in Lonavala, especially with kids. Some of the wax statues include those of Harry Potter, Terminator, Mr. Bean and famous personalities, such as Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln and more.

Lonavala is a picturesque hill station that is ideal for a relaxing holiday. It is easily accessible and a leading tourist destination of Maharashtra. The best places to visit in Lonavala are not only beautiful, but fraught with fun and adventure. For those seeking thrill, yet yearning for tranquil serenity, Lonavala is the place to go to.