India GONature trips from Pune
Nature around Pune means the Western Ghats, and most trips into them are on foot. The big trip is Bhimashankar, a forest sanctuary about 120 km away created for the Indian giant squirrel. Closer in are the monsoon climbs to Sinhagad, Rajgad and Torna, the Tamhini Ghat waterfalls and Mulshi Lake. Here is what each trip involves and when to go.
A monsoon fort climb in the Sahyadris
Climb a stepped basalt path into cloud on Sinhagad, Rajgad or Torna, past the gate a Maratha assault came through, and eat hot pithla-bhakri at the top.
free · monsoon, June to September, is the classic season for the green; winter is easier underfoot. The Katraj-to-Sinhagad route is walked overnight to reach the fort at sunrise
Bhimashankar: a Western Ghats forest climb and the shekru
Climb through evergreen forest on ladders and stream crossings to a Jyotirlinga temple on the ridge, watching the canopy for the orange-and-black Indian giant squirrel the sanctuary was created to protect.
free · monsoon and the months after it, roughly July to February. The Shidi Ghat ladder route is dangerous in heavy rain
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Five ways into the Western Ghats
Pune sits at the foot of the Sahyadri, the Western Ghats, and most nature trips here are on foot. Distances are from the city; prices are approximate.
Bhimashankar forest and the shekru (~120 km)
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary was notified largely to protect the Indian giant squirrel, shekru in Marathi and Maharashtra's state animal. Trails start at Khandas village: Ganesh Ghat is the gradual route, Shidi Ghat has iron ladders and rock and is dangerous in heavy rain. A Jyotirlinga temple stands at the top, and a road also reaches it. Free to walk; guided treks with transport roughly ₹1,200–2,500. Leeches in the monsoon; start early, as the forest is dark by late afternoon.
Monsoon fort climbs (~30 km and beyond)
Sinhagad, Rajgad (from Gunjavane village) and Torna (from Velhe) are climbed on stepped basalt paths, greenest from June to September and easier underfoot in winter. One route, Katraj to Sinhagad, is walked overnight to reach the fort at sunrise; that needs a headtorch and a group. Free to climb; guided group treks with transport roughly ₹800–2,000. Mobile signal is patchy. More on the forts themselves in forts in Pune.
Tamhini Ghat waterfalls (~55 km)
From June to September the pass road beyond Mulshi runs with waterfalls and mist. Palase, near Vaduste village, is the most accessible: a short forest walk to a two-stage cascade. Outside the rains most of it dries up. Start early to stay ahead of the weekend traffic, drive slowly in fog and stay out from under falls in spate. More in waterfalls near Pune.
Mulshi Lake (~45 km)
Backwaters of a century-old dam between Sahyadri ridges and paddy fields, reached by way of Paud. During and after the monsoon the basin turns intensely green and Koraigad fort shows across the water. There is no gate or single viewpoint, and much of the shore is private or utility land, so stop only at the obvious spots. Usually driven as a loop with Tamhini Ghat.
Paragliding at Kamshet (~45 km)
Kamshet, on the Mumbai road, has been one of India's main paragliding areas since flying schools opened in the late 1990s. A tandem joy ride with a certified pilot costs roughly ₹1,800–3,500. The season runs roughly October to May; nothing flies in the monsoon, and flights are cancelled when the wind is wrong, so leave slack in the day.
Nature without leaving the city
Two places inside Pune are real nature walks. Vetal Tekdi, the highest ground in the city, has red-earth trails from Law College Road, Kothrud and Pashan, walked at sunrise by joggers and birdwatchers; there is no water on top. Pashan Lake, in the north-western suburbs, has over two hundred bird species recorded, and from roughly November to February migratory ducks and waders arrive. Both are free. More green spaces are on the parks in Pune page, and the city's animals in enclosures are at the Katraj Zoo and its snake park.
What to look for
The Indian giant squirrel, orange and black, is the animal the Bhimashankar sanctuary was created for, and Bhimashankar is the easiest place from Pune to see one. After the rains, the Blue Mormon, Maharashtra's state butterfly and the first state butterfly declared in India, is easiest to find along the Ghat roads west of the city. Karvy is the shrub that occasionally turns Western Ghats hillsides blue in September; between flowerings it is a plain woody thicket. The tamhan, Maharashtra's state flower, blooms just as the monsoon reaches the Ghats. In parts of Maharashtra firefly-watching has become an organised season, with forest-department rules on lights, noise and where vehicles may stop. More species are on the birds of Pune and butterflies of Pune pages.
Before you go
The Ghats around Pune change completely between seasons.
- Pick the season — Monsoon, June to September, is for waterfalls and green forts; Bhimashankar is good from about July to February; paragliding needs October to May.
- Wet basalt — Stone steps and loose rock get slippery in the rains: shoes with grip, and skip the Shidi Ghat ladders in heavy rain.
- Water and light — Carry water; signal is patchy on the forts, and night walks need a headtorch.
- Go on a weekday — Tamhini and Sinhagad fill up at weekends; leave early or go midweek.
- Getting there — A rented scooter or a cab covers the Sinhagad and Mulshi side; see bike rental in Pune.
FAQ
What are the best nature spots near Pune?
Bhimashankar forest for wildlife, the Tamhini Ghat waterfalls and Mulshi Lake in the monsoon, and the hill forts of Sinhagad, Rajgad and Torna. In the city, Vetal Tekdi and Pashan Lake.
What are some good forest trails near Pune?
Bhimashankar, about 120 km away, has two routes through evergreen forest: gradual Ganesh Ghat and Shidi Ghat with iron ladders. Closer in, Vetal Tekdi has trails inside the city.
Is there a safari near Pune?
The guide lists no jeep safari near Pune: the nature trips here are on foot, the Bhimashankar sanctuary is walked, and for animals in enclosures there is the Katraj Zoo with its snake park.
Where can I see the Indian giant squirrel near Pune?
In the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, created largely to protect it; watch the canopy on the climb from Khandas.
When are the waterfalls near Pune flowing?
From June to September. Outside the rains most of the Tamhini Ghat falls dry up.
When is the paragliding season at Kamshet?
Roughly October to May. Nothing flies in the monsoon, June to September.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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