WaterfallsFortsTrekkingNature
Kataldhar Waterfall & Rajmachi Fort
A journey through forest, off-roads & history
4.8/5Pune, MaharashtraVisited 16 August 2025
Trip essentials
Distance from Pune
68 km
Travel time
2.5 – 3 hrs
Trek time
1.5 – 2 hrs one way
Elevation
826 m
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult
Entry fee
Free
Parking
At base village, ₹50
Food
Pithla bhakri, thecha, matki usal
Water
Carry your own
Washrooms
Basic, at base village
Network
Patchy on the trail
Camping
Allowed at Rajmachi village
Guide
Recommended in monsoon
Best season
June to September (Monsoon)
Sunrise
6:05 AM
Sunset
7:10 PM
Getting there from Pune
Travel timeline
Pune Junction
Board the Lonavala local
0:00
Local train
~64 km to Lonavala
1.5 – 2 hrs
Lonavala (Out) → village exit
Shared Sumo, off-roading starts
45 – 60 min
Kusgaon · Daregaon · Walvan · Bhatane
Scenic village off-road
20 min
Kataldhar entry point
Jungle trek, 3–4 km
1.5 – 2 hrs
Rajmachi base village
Back to main route via Sumo
30 – 40 min
Rajmachi Fort
Shrivardhan & Manoranjan
1 – 1.5 hrs
Field notes
We caught the 5:40 local from Pune Junction with wet shoes already on. Lonavala was grey and dripping. The Sumo ride past Kusgaon, Daregaon and Bhatane was pure off-road — mud, streams and green walls on both sides. The forest trail to Kataldhar drops steeply through leeches and rock; then the sound arrives before the waterfall does. Rajmachi's Shrivardhan and Manoranjan heads came after lunch, with the old Shiv temple sitting quietly between them. Not all classrooms have walls.
Weather
Monsoon: 20–26°C, heavy rain and thick mist. Winter: 14–24°C, clear ridge views.
Highlights
- Kataldhar's 100m curtain fall in full monsoon roar
- Off-road Sumo ride through Sahyadri villages
- Twin fort heads — Shrivardhan and Manoranjan
- Ancient Shiv temple inside the fort area
Costs, gear & photo spots
Expenses per person
- Local train (Pune → Lonavala)
- ₹30 – 60
- Shared cab / Sumo (return)
- ₹300 – 500
- Food & charges
- ₹150 – 200
- Total per person
- ₹500 – 700
What to carry
- 2–3L water
- Trekking shoes with grip
- Raincoat / poncho
- Energy snacks
- Power bank
- ID proof
Photo spots
- Kataldhar base rocks
- Rajmachi ridge saddle
- Shrivardhan bastion
- Village exit point trail
Tips
- Start early morning — the trail crowds after 10am
- Monsoon is best but the descent gets slippery
- Keep the place clean & respect nature
Safety
- Never stand under the falls during heavy rain
- Carry salt or antiseptic for leeches
- Return from the fort before dusk
Nearby
- Lonavala
- Bhushi Dam
- Della Adventure Park
- Tungarli Lake
On the map
Photos from Kataldhar Waterfall & Rajmachi Fort
2 photos
