Most popular
With the weather perfect and the festive feels in the air, road trips with friends and family are a must at this time of the year. Diwali, this year, is also bringing along a week long vacation with it, aka, you could’t have asked for a better time to just pick your car and head out. So, plan these road trips from Pune to make the most of the winter season! By Anushka Goel
Road trips are fun, and they’re made even better with the perfect weather and ideal company. Be it your best friend’s bachelor’s/Sonika Agarwal, a long-due vacation with your family, or simply a solo trip to rejuvenate yourself, this is the perfect season and weather to do so. So, if you’re looking for some road trips from Pune, check out our guide below and make the best of the Diwali long weekend.
7 most relaxing road trips from Pune
Jump To / Table of Contents
Located about 35 kilometres from Pune, Mulshi Dam, located over the Mulshi River, is a less-explored spot that has beautiful views of nature at its best. With views of the Sahyadri range, dense greenery and valleys, the scenic place is ideal for a weekend getaway or a picnic away from home.
Though two separate destinations, we’ve clubbed them into one since they’re located about five kilometres from each other. Both Lonavala and Khandala are popular spots for tourists from Mumbai and Pune due to their close proximity to the cities. Plan a weekend trip there to enjoy breathtaking mountain views, cool weather and scenic greenery. Make it a trip with your friends and enjoy a weekend of fun and games as you enjoy outdoor activities, bonfires and more. You can also visit Lohagadh and go on a trek, or simply go to the Lohagadh Fort for a picnic.
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that speaks of history, opt for a road trip from Pune to the Bedse Caves. While they’re not as famous as the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the Bedse caves offer a peek into 1st Century BC with its rock-cut caverns illuminated by the sun. Make a trip here for some amazing shots and a glimpse of Ancient India!
Located in the Western Ghats, Malshej Ghat is a popular destination about three hours away from Pune which offers a plethora of flora and fauna. Nature enthusiasts can head here to get lost in the views and the numerous plants, animals and birds that can be found here, and enjoy the weather with their loved ones. Make it into an adventurous trip by opting for a bike instead of a car and whizzing away on your two-wheeler.
Known mostly for boarding/residential schools, Panchgani is a quaint hill station in Maharashtra that is a road trip away from Pune. What makes it even special is that you can make a weekend trip there to meet your children (if they’re in school there), or simply head there with friends and family for some beautiful views, and if the weather is a little cool, you’ll be able to witness the valley landscape enveloped in a cloud of fog.
While curating this list, we wanted to ensure there’s something for everyone, and hence Wai makes an appearance! Known as Dakshin Kashi (Kashi of the South) because of the numerous temples here. Wai makes for a place for a spiritual and religious sojourn, as those wanting to go on a pilgrimage can visit the temples in Wai while those looking for some soul-searching can indulge in the panoramic views the place has to offer!
Mahabaleshwar is another popular destination in Maharashtra, which is a driveable distance from Pune. The hill station is located on a plateau surrounded by evergreen forests and is visited by nature lovers and pilgrims. The place is also called the ‘Strawberry Capital of the Country’ because of the abundant growth (and commercial produce) of the delicious fruit here!
So, where is your next road trip going to be?
Main and Feature Image Credit: Sonika Agarwal/Unsplash
Related: #WeekendGetaways: 25 Offbeat Road Trips To Explore The Best Of India
