Top 10 Hill Stations Near Pune for Family Trip
Pune city gets hot and busy in most months of the year. Many families look for a break from the heat and the traffic. The good thing is that Pune sits close to the Sahyadri hills, so many green and cool places are within easy reach. Some hill stations are just one hour away; some take four to five hours by road. You can plan a quick day trip or a full weekend with your family. If your group is large, a comfortable vehicle makes the whole trip easier for kids and elders.
Here are the top 10 hill stations near Pune that are best for family trips.
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is among the most popular hill stations near Pune, and it has been a favorite retreat since the British era. The town sits at a good height, so the air stays cool almost all year. Strawberry farms are spread across the region, and families love to stop at Mapro Garden for fresh strawberries with cream, jam and ice cream. The old market on the main road sells leather goods, honey and local chikki, which makes a good souvenir to carry back home.
Venna Lake is the center of activity here, where families enjoy boating in calm water surrounded by trees. Arthur’s Seat is a famous viewpoint that gives a wide look of deep valleys and, on clear days, a distant view of the Arabian Sea. Elephant’s Head Point and Lingmala Waterfall are nearby and are easily accessible for families who love short walks.
The best time to Visit is between October and June.
The distance from Pune is around 120 km.
The best way to reach is through National Highway 65 from Pune, then via Wai and Panchgani into town.
The best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar are Venna Lake, Arthur’s Seat and Mapro Garden.
Panchgani
The cool climate of Panchgani is similar to Mahabaleshwar. The town is named as it is surrounded by five hills and this shape gives it a unique look from every angle. It is another popular destination for the people of Pune after Mahabaleshwar.
The main attraction of Panchgani is Table Land, a large flat hilltop made of volcanic rock and said to be one of the biggest of its kind in Asia. Families here enjoy horse riding with their children. along with local snacks sold at small stalls nearby. Sydney Point and Parsi Point give wide views of the Krishna valley below, and both are simple to reach by car or a group can make a tempo traveller booking in Pune as per the size of their group.
The best time to visit is between September and May.
The Distance from Pune around 100 km.
The best way to reach it is through National Highway 65 to Wai, then a local road straight into Panchgani.
The best places that you must visit are Table Land, Sydney Point and Parsi Point.
Lonavala
Lonavala is the quickest hill station trip from Pune, and this makes it a common choice for a one-day family outing. During monsoon, the hills turn deep green and many small waterfalls appear along the highway itself. Even outside of monsoon, the weather stays mild and pleasant for most of the year. Lonavala chikki is known across the state, and almost every visitor picks up a box before heading back.
Tiger Point offers a sweeping view of the valley below and is a popular spot for photos with the whole family. Bhushi Dam is loved by kids, since the overflow water creates small natural pools where people sit and cool off. History lovers can walk through Karla Caves, ancient rock-cut caves that are more than two thousand years old.
Although you can visit Lonavala anytime in the year and will get the best experience, the best time to visit Lonavala is between June and February.
The distance from Pune to lonavala is around 65 km.
The best way to reach it is through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or you can also take National Highway 48.
The best places to visit in Lonavala are Tiger Point, Bhushi Dam and Karla Caves.
Khandala
Khandala sits right next to Lonavala and offers the same cool weather with a slightly quieter feel. The town grew during the British period as a break point along the old railway and road route between Pune and Mumbai. Old bungalows and small guest houses still give the area a heritage touch, and the roads here are lined with tall trees.
Duke’s Nose is the most photographed spot in Khandala, a rock formation shaped like a nose that gives a stunning view of the valley below. Rajmachi Point looks out over an old fort and forest area, which is a good stop for families who enjoy nature. Amrutanjan Point is another easy viewpoint where the family can sit, enjoy the wind and watch clouds pass through the hills.
The best time to visit is between June and February.
The distance from Pune khandala is around 70 km.
The best way to reach is through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway; take the Khandala exit.
The best Places to visit in khandala are Duke’s Nose, Rajmachi Point and Amrutanjan Point.
Matheran
Matheran holds a special place among hill stations, since no cars or bikes are allowed inside the main town. This rule keeps the air clean and the roads calm, and the whole place still runs on foot, horse and hand-pulled carts. Red soil paths connect the town to more than thirty view points, which makes it a paradise for slow family walks.
The town is connected to the base by a narrow-gauge toy train and this is a big highlight for children alone. Panorama Point is one of the best places to view the Sahyadri range and is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset. Echo Point is a fun stop where kids can shout and hear their voices echo back off the hills. Charlotte Lake nearby is a peaceful place to rest for a short time.
The best time to visit is between October and May, when the weather remains pleasant.
The distance from Pune to matheran is about 120 km.
The best way to reach Matheran is through National Highway 48 up to Khopoli and then onward from there.
The best places to visit are Panorama Point, Echo Point and Charlotte Lake.
Amboli
Amboli is a lesser-known hill station along the southern edge of the Sahyadri range, and it suits families who want peace away from crowded tourist towns. It receives some of the heaviest rain in the region during monsoon, and this rain feeds many small streams and waterfalls across the forest. The forest cover here is rich and holds rare plants, insects and birds, which makes it popular among nature lovers too.
Amboli Waterfall is the main attraction, and the water flow is strongest right after monsoon rain. Hiranyakeshi Temple sits at the source of a small river and is considered sacred by local people. Mahadevgad Point gives a clear view over the western ghats and is a calm spot for families to enjoy the fresh forest air.
For those who are travelling with a large group, renting a bus on rent in Pune cab be a good choice than hiring multiple vehicles and spending a lot of money.
The best time to visit is between October and March to experience the monsoon.
The distance from Pune to amboli is around 370 km.
The best way to reach it is through National Highway 48 all the way to Kolhapur.
The best places to visit are Amboli Waterfall, Hiranyakeshi Temple and Mahadevgad Point.
Panhala
Panhala is a hill fort town near Kolhapur, built on one of the largest forts in the region. The fort walls stretch for several kilometers and hold many old gates, storerooms and step wells, which gives families a good mix of history and open-air walking. The town is calm through most of the year and does not get the heavy crowd that other hill stations attract.
Sajja Kothi was once used to watch over the valley below and still gives a fine view today. Andhar Bavadi is a hidden step well with secret passages built inside the fort walls, and kids usually find this the most exciting part of the visit. Local food stalls near the fort sell simple snacks, which is good for a short family break during the walk.
The best time to visit is between October and March.
The distance from Pune to panhala is around 250 km.
The best way to reach is through national highway 48 to Kolhapur, then local road up to Panhala Fort.
The best places to visit are Panhala Fort, Sajja Kothi and Andhar Bavadi.
Lavasa
Lavasa is a planned hill town built around a private lake and is different from other hill stations because of its modern Italian-style buildings. It has a different feel from the older colonial hill towns around it, with its wide streets, painted houses and clean lakefront. One of the closest hill stations to Pune, it is the choice of many families for a short evening or weekend trip.
Dasve Lake sits at the heart of the town, and the promenade around it is lined with cafes and small shops, good for an evening walk with the family. Christ the King Church stands on a small hill and gives a nice view over the lake and the town below. The Lavasa Promenade itself is well lit at night and stays a favorite spot for families to relax after a day of sightseeing.
The best time to visit is between September and March.
The distance from Pune to Lavasa is just 60 km, good even for a short evening trip.
The best way to reach it is through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway; exit at Ambi Valley Road into Lavasa.
The best places to visit are Dasve Lake, Christ the King Church and Lavasa Promenade.
Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar is known mainly for its ancient temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, and this makes it an important pilgrim stop as well as a hill station. The area around the temple is covered by thick forest that is also protected as a wildlife sanctuary. Families who enjoy birds and animals often spot langurs, giant squirrels and many rare bird species along the walking paths.
Bhimashankar Temple itself has detailed stone carving on its outer walls and draws visitors through the year. Gupt Bhimashankar is a quieter spot nearby with a small waterfall and cave, considered sacred by local devotees. Nagphani Point is the highest point in the area and gives a wide, open view of the surrounding green hills, a good short trek for families with older children.
The best time to visit is between October and March.
The distance from Pune to bhimashankar is around 110 km.
The best way to reach it is through Pune-Nashik Highway till Manchar, then local road towards Bhimashankar Ghat.
The best places to visit are Bhimashankar Temple, Gupt Bhimashankar and Nagphani Point.
Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is most famous for its spectacular views during the monsoon when low clouds come sweeping right over the road and the hills, lending the entire ghat a misty, dream-like look. Many of the little and large waterfalls are seen along the highway during the rainy months and this stretch of road itself becomes a tourist attraction. Flamingo birds gather near the local dam area in some months, which is a rare sight for a hill region.
The most visited place is the Malshej Ghat waterfall, where water falls straight down from the rocky hill near the main road. Pimpalgaon Joga Dam is a quiet place to sit beside the water and enjoy the greenery of the surrounding hills with your family. Harishchandragad Fort is also usually on the plan of trekking lovers. There is an old trail that leads up to caves and some temple ruins at the top, and the climb takes a few hours depending on your pace.
The best time to visit is between July and October, when clouds roll right over the road.
The distance from Pune to malshej ghat is about 130 km.
The best way to reach it is through Pune-Nashik Highway, then Malshej Ghat Road near Junnar.
The best places to visit are Malshej Ghat Waterfall, Pimpalgaon Joga Dam and Harishchandragad Fort.
Final Word
Pune has many hill stations nearby, and each one gives a different kind of experience for a family. Some are calm and green; some have forts and old temples; some are known for waterfalls and cool weather. You do not need to travel far or spend many days; most of these places are easy to reach in a few hours and work well for even a single day trip. Explore all these mentioned places smoothly by renting a Force Urbania van rental in Pune. Pick any hill station from this list based on what your family enjoys, whether it is lakes, viewpoints, temples or simple nature walks, and plan a relaxed trip away from the city.
