Visapur Fort

Visapur Fort, Lonavala is located on a lush green plateau and is one of the most popular destinations as weekend getaways. The fort is located over the hill and has an amazing panoramic view. Many people go to the fort to trek as it has mud trails through which you can see the walls of the fort. The trail also passes through a waterfall that makes it even more fun and an adventurous trek.

History of Visapur Fort, Lonavala

Like any other fort, this fort also has its own history. Built in between 1713-1720, the fort was built by Maratha Empire’s first Peshwa, Balaji Vishwanath. The purpose of building it was to protect the Lohagad Fort. However, the British bombarded it with canons which destroyed both the forts. This forced the Marathas to flee and in 1818 the forts were taken over by the British.

Why is the Visapur Fort Famous?

Visapur Fort, Lonavala is very huge and is located at a higher elevation as compared to the Lohagad Fort. The Visapur fort has caves, a decorated arch, cisterns of water, and old houses. It is also famous for its walls that are still visible during the trekking. You can witness a large stone-built house which is known as the Peshwa’s palace. Apart from this, you can also find huge carvings of Hanuman and temples that can be found across the palace. Even though the fort is now in ruins, the scenic beauty and panoramic views of the hills are the attractions.

Trekking Experience to the Visapur Fort, Lonavala

Anyone who is visiting the Visapur Fort has to experience the amazing climb to the top of the hill where it is located. The trekking may be rocky but at the same time, it is an experience that one should not miss. The trek to the top of the hill takes around 2-3 hours. There are two routes that can be used to trek to the fort.

Trekking from the starting point of the Lohagad Fort- It is the fastest and easiest way to climb up the hill. This route starts from the base of the Lohagad Fort which is located in the Lohagadwadi village. The hike through this route takes around an hour or so to reach the fort.

Hiking through Patan village- This is a longer route than the first one. However, the advantage of using this route is that it crosses various terrains such as grasslands, dense forests, cross multiple waterfalls, etc. The experience of using this route to reach the fort is amazing.

The Best Time to Visit the Fort

If you want to visit the fort and enjoy the hike to the fort, then you should completely avoid being there during summertime. The weather during summers can be harsh in Maharashtra and hence, you will not be able to trek and enjoy the beauty. However, the ideal time to visit the fort during mid-June up till the end of February. Not only is the weather during this time is lovely but the hiking experience to the Visapur Fort, Lonavala is amazing. However, you need to be extra cautious during your hiking trip as the trails may be slippery due to the rains.

If you are looking for a peaceful time at the fort, then you must avoid visiting it during weekends when usually there are too many people wanting to enjoy their weekend.

Food and Accommodation at the Fort

You may find very few hotels or accommodation facilities near the fort as it can be easily covered within a day. However, if you do plan to stay near the fort, then you can choose to stay in Lohagad village that offers few accommodations. You can also choose to stay a little away from the fort by choosing accommodation in Lonavala.

If you want to a little more adventurous, then you can put up a tent once you reach the fort. However, you may need to carry your own food in case you decide to put up a tent. But if you wish to come back to the base on the same day, then you must try some of the delicious local Maharashtrian cuisines that can make your mouth drool.

However, there are tour and travel agencies who have trekking packages to the fort that you can choose from.

Reaching Visapur Fort, Lonavala

There are ways to reach the fort such as by air, rail, and road. If you plan to fly down to the fort, then the nearest airport is in Pune. You can either book a bus or a taxi to reach Lonavala. Usually, it takes around 1-2 hours (depending upon the traffic in the city) to reach the destination.

Lonavala has a railway station and hence, you can also travel by rail and continue the journey to the fort in a cab. However, if you want to enjoy the scenery en-route to Lonavala, then you can either hire a cab or choose your own vehicle to travel. Since the fort is a very popular destination, you can find roads that lead directly to the fort.

Dos and Don’ts of Trekking at the Fort

If you are planning to trek to the fort, then you need to keep some things in mind. The first thing is to carry a raincoat with you to avoid getting wet due to rain and wear shoes that are fit for trekking and is not slippery. Carry a trekking backpack with a first aid kit and enough water and snacks for the trek. Since you will not find any toilets on the way to the fort, make sure that you carry your own toiletries. Avoid carrying valuables while hiking as you may lose it on the way. Also, wear clothes that will cover your hands and legs to help you avoid getting sunburned or bitten by mosquitoes and scratched by thorns.

Attractions at and Near the Visapur Fort

Visapur Fort has some amazing views that you will enjoy when you reach the top. You can explore caves, arches, water storage cisterns, etc. You can also visit the forts nearby such as Lohagad Fort, etc. While trekking you can enjoy the view of Pawna Lake and waterfall.