FortsTrekkingTemples
Sinhagad Fort
The lion's fort — history on Pune's doorstep
4.5/5Pune, MaharashtraVisited 18 January 2026
Trip essentials
Distance from Pune
30 km
Travel time
1.5 – 2 hrs
Trek time
1 – 1.5 hrs one way
Elevation
1312 m
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Entry fee
Free
Parking
Base and top road, ₹30 – 50
Food
Many stalls at the top
Water
Carry 2 litres; refills available at top
Washrooms
At the summit
Network
Good
Camping
Not allowed
Guide
Not required
Best season
June to February
Sunrise
6:20 AM
Sunset
6:55 PM
Getting there from Pune
Travel timeline
Pune Station
Start your journey
0:00
Swargate
Pune Metro to Swargate
20 min
Donje Phata
PMPML bus towards Sinhagad base
45 – 60 min
Historic stone trail
2.5 km climb on the old fort path
1 – 1.5 hrs
Sinhagad Fort
Memorials, darwazas and summit stalls
1.5 hrs explore
Field notes
Sinhagad is the fort every Punekar climbs first. Metro to Swargate, a PMPML bus to Donje Phata, and then the old stone trail that Tanaji's men climbed in 1670. The top is part memorial, part market — bronze reliefs of Shivaji Maharaj's durbar, golden warrior statues mid-charge, and stalls selling curd, kanda bhaji and lemon soda while the wind comes straight up the valley.
Weather
Cool and windy through the monsoon; clear valley views in winter.
Highlights
- Bronze durbar relief of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Tanaji Malusare memorial and Kalyan Darwaza
- Golden Maratha warrior statues in the memorial garden
- Pithla bhakri, curd and kanda bhaji at the summit stalls
Costs, gear & photo spots
Expenses per person
- Metro to Swargate
- ₹20 – 30
- PMPML bus to Donje Phata
- ₹40 – 60
- Food at the top
- ₹150 – 250
- Total per person
- ₹250 – 400
What to carry
- 2L water
- Trekking shoes
- Cap and sunscreen
- Windcheater
- Cash for stalls
Photo spots
- Bronze relief wall
- Warrior statue garden
- Kalyan Darwaza
- Valley edge viewpoint
Tips
- Take the metro to Swargate — parking at the base fills up fast on weekends
- Start before 8am; the trail has almost no shade
- Carry cash, most summit stalls do not accept UPI
Safety
- The rock trail is slippery in heavy rain
- Stay behind the railings at the valley edge
- Descend before dusk — the trail is unlit
Nearby
- Khadakwasla Dam
- Panshet
- Donje waterfalls
- Rajgad Fort
On the map
Photos from Sinhagad Fort
2 photos
