Lohagad, Mountain fortress in Pune district, India.
Lohagad is a mountain fort in Pune district within the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The complex spreads along a narrow ridge and is protected by massive stone walls and four successive gates that lead to the main plateau.
The fort was already in use during the 2nd century BC, as shown by an inscription in a cave. Shivaji captured it in 1648 for the Maratha Empire and had to reclaim it in 1670 after a temporary loss.
The name Lohagad means "Iron Fort" and refers to the difficult position on the ridge that made conquest hard. Visitors can see remains of water tanks and residential structures that show how soldiers and their families lived here.
A climb from Malavli railway station takes about an hour and follows paved paths through dense forest. The best time to visit is during the dry season from October to March, when trails are safer and the view from the top stays clear.
A fortified spur called Vinchukada extends eastward from the main plateau and looks like a scorpion tail from the air. This section was separately fortified and served as an additional line of defense against attacks from that direction.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
