Menu
sinhagad_fort

Sinhagad Fort Day Trip from Pune

, , , , ,


Pune is surrounded by mountains for great trekking and photography opportunities. Sinhagad fort near Pune is an important historic site for the Maratha region. Today the mountains are popular with nature enthusiasts, hikers and history buffs alike. For a special experience, the traditional vegetarian food in Sinhagad Fort is a must have. Villagers have been cooking the nutritious, Marathi foods for decades to delight the visitors.

The Sinhagad fort is perched on top of the mountains with incredible views. In the monsoon season there would uncountable waterfalls.
The Sinhagad fort is perched on top of the mountains with incredible views. In the monsoon season, there would uncountable waterfalls.

Sinhagad fort is popular with trekkers going on 2-day trips including climbs and meals. I’m sure it’s a really scenic trek with a good a workout. We were short on time, so we drove and parked all the way at the entrance of the fort. We used an SVU because some sections could have been tricky with a car.

In the parking lot, there are many food places for traditional Maharashtrian breakfast and lunch. More on this later in the post.

Walking up to Sinhagad Fort

There is no entrance fee or even a counter to pay when we arrive. One can walk freely throughout the fort and surrounding mountains.

Leading up to the Pune Gate are many villagers selling seasonal fruit like gooseberries, raw mangoes, tamarind, and other berries.
Leading up to the Pune Gate are many villagers selling seasonal fruit like gooseberries, raw mangoes, tamarind, and other berries.

Inside Sinhagad Fort near Pune

Villagers old and young sell snacks along the path, picked fresh, chopped right there and seasoned with salt and red pepper. Yum!
Villagers old and young sell snacks along the path, picked fresh, chopped right there and seasoned with salt and red pepper. Yum!
Mouthwateringly sour and fresh gooseberries, sweet berries and crunchy cucumbers for hiking in Sinhagad fort.
Mouthwateringly sour and fresh gooseberries, sweet berries and crunchy cucumbers for hiking in Sinhagad fort.
There are several gates to the fort, each with incredible views.
There are several gates to the fort, each with incredible views.

There aren’t too many preserved structures inside the fort, but it’s fun to walk around the walls and enjoy the views.

Looking outside a guard tower at the edge of a mountain, a wonderful place to take off on wings into the clouds.
Looking outside a guard tower at the edge of a mountain, a wonderful place to take off on wings into the clouds.
These are the remains of what used to be stables once upon a time. It must have been impressive when carved inside the mountain. The grooves in the big pillars are probably from the ropes used to tie horses. Unfortunately today it lies abandoned and littered with plastic bottles and bags.
These are the remains of what used to be horse stables once upon a time. It must have been impressive when carved inside the mountain. The grooves in the big pillars are probably from the ropes used to tie horses. Unfortunately today it lies abandoned and littered with plastic bottles and bags.
A covered well with areas to rest, in the shade or in the sun.
A covered well with areas to rest, in the shade or in the sun.
A woman takes water for her family.
A woman takes water for her family.
The covered structure with sparkling clean water. It looks like a big well that collects rain water for drinking and cooking.
The covered structure with sparkling clean water. It looks like a big well that collects rainwater for drinking and cooking.
Out from the well are pretty well marked walking paths.
Out from the well are pretty well-marked walking paths.
Also there are some paths with steep steps along the fort walls.
Also, there are some paths with steep steps along the fort walls.
Along one of the paths is another gate
Along one of the paths is another gate

It’s quieter and more scenic around the other gate. The fort and hikes are popular with college kids and we saw a couple of small and friendly groups hanging around the back gate too.

Entering Sinhagad fort from the back gate is bit more tricky with some broken and some steep steps but it’s a nice area to relax and soak in the views.
Entering Sinhagad fort from the back gate is a bit more tricky with some broken and some steep steps but it’s a nice area to relax and soak in the views.

Monsoon must be spectacular in here with waterfalls. Bloom season must be out of this world, given how many leftovers buds were still lying around.

Traditional Vegetarian Food in Sinhagad Fort

There are some villages down the hill from Sinhagad fort near Pune. Every day the villagers come up with their supplies to sell nutritious snacks and meals to tourists. Some villagers bring prepared foods that they walk around and selling to visitors.

It seems like a good source of income to the rural folk and a great experience for the city folk. What a win-win proportion for all!

A friendly woman was selling delicious, fresh, home made yogurt(dahi) in tiny clay containers. She carries her wares on her head, and serves refreshing yogurt just in time for tired hikers.
A friendly woman was selling delicious, fresh, homemade yogurt(dahi) in tiny clay containers. She carries her wares on her head and serves refreshing yogurt just in time for tired hikers.
Fresh home made yogurt in Sinhagad fort.
Fresh homemade yogurt in Sinhagad fort.
Another lady making fresh bhakri for her clients.
Another lady making fresh bhakri for her clients.
This is a simple and delicious meal in Sinhagad fort or bhakri, pithle, onion pickles and a veggie. Most vendors offer the more elaborate thali too but we liked this one better.
This is a simple and delicious meal in Sinhagad fort or bhakri, pithle, onion pickles and a veggie. Most vendors offer the more elaborate thali too but we liked this one better.
We ate in a rustic dhaba overlooking the mountains and valleys all around.
We ate in a rustic dhaba overlooking the mountains and valleys all around.

Here is a fun video of the villagers preparing food in Sinhagad fort from scratch. It’s a nice surprise that they speak pretty good Hindi and chat with us.

Tips on Visiting Sinhagad Fort

  • Overall, I’ll highly recommend visiting Sinhagad fort for a short day trip or a multi-day trek.
  • It will be definitely most scenic (and likely busy) in monsoon.
  • Weekends are also quite busy, so try to go on a weekday.
  • Take a good appetite if you enjoy authentic, fresh, native food. The setting doesn’t look very clean but the freshly cooked food is likely safe. Our immunity isn’t particularly strong in India and we did great.
  • For transportation, you can take public transit from Pune or Mumbai and a cab or trek. But, renting an SUV and driver is most convenient.
  • Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. You’ll likely be outdoors the entire time.

There is so much more to see in and around Pune. Do check out Aga Khan Palace and Lesser known beaches in Maharashtra.

Also, be sure to read our stories from Mehrangarh Fort and Jaisalmer Fort and the Jain temples, which are entirely different in their architecture and stories.

Awesome Food Ideas for Vegans


Related Posts

3 Comments

  1. Jessica
    February 21, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

    Cool post! I have never heard of this location so it was neat to see!

    • Jyoti
      February 25, 2018 @ 9:16 pm

      Thanks Jessica! It’s a lesser know site world side. However, its popular among youth and hikers in Mumbai, Pune and in this region of India.
      I’m glad you liked it.

  2. Best Forts of India - Travelers Choice - Backpack & Explore
    November 30, 2018 @ 11:03 am

    […] Read about Jyoti’s visit to Sinhagad Fort. […]

error: Content is protected !!
Verified by ExactMetrics