After spending 7+ years in Pune, I have explored all the major attractions around Pune on my motorcycle and Cycle.
I see a lot of queries in cycling community about the route and destination for exploring this beautiful city.
So I decided to compile an abstract document that will help you plan your next cycle ride better.
Routes are added below based on the difficulty level and experience of a cyclist.
Hope this helps you in creating beautiful memories.
Easy:
1. Theur Temple
2. Kavdi Pat (Bird Watching Site)
3. City Ride
4. Parvati Hills
5. Kasarsai Dam
6. Pashan Lake
7. Tulapur
8. Dagduseth Ganpati
9. Hiramata Temple
10. Café GoodLuck
11. Vohuman Café
12. Irani Café
Moderate:
1. Ramdara Temple
2. Mulshi Lake
3. Khadakwasla Dam
4. Ghoradeshwar Hill (Bike and Hike)
5. Kund Mala Temple
6. ARAI Hills
7. Dive Ghat
8. Bopdev Ghat
9. Viralayam Jain Temple
10. Bhandara Temple
Difficult:
1. Purandar Fort
2. Necklace Point - Bhor
3. Pawna Lake Circuit
4. Bhuleshwar Temple
5. Lavasa Hill City
6. Sighagad Fort
7. Lonavala
8. Tahmini Ghat (Independence Point)
Let's start the virtual tour of these places. ;)
One of the 'ashtavinyaka' (8 Ganeshas) temples of Maharashtra, the Chintamani Mandir of Theur is located 25 kilometers from Pune.
There are three routes to reach Theur.
1. Pune - Solapur Highway : Straight and Fast
2. Via Manjari Khurd
3. Via Kesanand Theur Road
Route 2 and 3 are very scenic and quiet in winter and monsoon.
Total Distance: 40 kms
Ride Time: 3 hour
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: There are many breakfast joints all around the temple.
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
A small village Kavdi where you can spot many water birds all year round. There is a small bridge on Mula Mutha river which is idea for bird watching.
Total Distance: 40 kms
Ride Time: 3 hours + Bird Watching Time ;)
Food: There are no food joints at the destination. You have to come back to Solapur Highway where you get plenty of options.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon and Winter
One of the best ways to explore any city would be cycling. The ideal time to start exploration would be 5 am to 7 am or 10 pm to 12 am. These are the only times when you get the roads empty for riding peacefully.
Why should boys have all the fun?
Many female cyclists also participated for our Night Rides. #NaariShakti
Total Distance: 30 kms
Ride Time: 2 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: You will get ice cream near temple and Vadapav/Snack items can be found near Pune Station or Swargate
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
One of the most scenic locations at the heart of the City. Also known as the watch ground of the Battle of Kirkee. This place is 640 meters above sea level. Peshwas used to keep an eye on their invading enemies.
Total Distance: 20 kms
Ride Time: 2 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Plenty of options available
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
This place is just at a distance of 10 km from Hinjewadi in Pune, Kasarsai Dam is one of the popular picnic spots and weekend escape from the hustle bustle of the city.
It is a beautiful place to witness sunrise.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 4 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are at the location.
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
A man-made lake created close to the Pashan suburb. This lake was developed during the British rule. Once you enter the lake compound, it gives you a good feeling of being close to nature.
Total Distance: 30 kms
Ride Time: 2 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are available near by
Best Time to Visit: All year round
Tulapur is also known for Triveni Sangam. It is a confluence of the three rivers of Brahma, Bhama and Indrayani.
This is the place where Chatrapati (Emperor) Sambhaji Maharaj took his last breath. It is a quiet and scenic place where you can relax and do meditation.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 3 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: A breakfast joint is inside the temple compound
Best Time to Visit: All year round
If you know swimming, then why wait?
Note: Stunt performed by an expert :D | Try at your own risk
The Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple in Pune is dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesh. The temple is visited by over a hundred thousand pilgrims every year. Devotees of the temple include celebrities and chief ministers of Maharashtra who visit during the annual ten-day Ganeshotsav festival.
Total Distance: 10 kms
Ride Time: 1 hour
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Famous Kaka Halwai
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
A beautiful temple located by the river Indrayni.
Total Distance: 40 kms
Ride Time: 3 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many options available on Dhanori Road
Best Time to Visit: Winter and Monsoon
Few Breakfast Joints to enjoy some chit chat with cycling buddies:
Cafe GoodLuck is a popular Irani cafe-restaurant on the Fergusson College Road, in the Deccan Gymkhana area of Pune, India.
This place doesn't require any introduction.
Total Distance: 10 kms
Ride Time: 1 hour
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Bun Muska & Irani Chai
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
Total Distance: 10 kms
Ride Time: 1 hour
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Egg items are famous
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
Total Distance: 20 kms
Ride Time: 2 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Bun Muska & Irani Chai
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
Moderate:
This is a very Scenic temple Situated on Pune Solapur Highway in Loni Kalbhor.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 3 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Hybrid]
Food: Poha, Wadapav, Misal Chai available inside temple premises.
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
There is a little bit of off road in last 4-5kms. If you plan to take your roadie, be careful.
You can plan for a picnic with friends/family.
Khadakwasla Dam is a dam on the Mutha River 21 km (13 mi) from the cent of the city of Pune.
This place is usually over crowded
Total Distance: 40kms
Ride Time: 3 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food carts available by the lake
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon and Winter
Ghoradeshwar Hill is famous for the ancient temple of Lord Shiva and Buddhist caves. There is a short hike of roughly 15-30 mins depending on your fitness level.
This place is quite near by for folks staying in PCMC Area.
This place is awesome if you wish to start hiking. Climb is not at all difficult for beginners.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 4 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many options available at the foothill and Somatane Phata.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon & Winter
A small dam is built on the Indrayani River. The overflowing water from the dam offers a mesmerizing view.
Over the period of time, water has cut rocks and flows through them which makes the scene even more beautiful.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 4 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many options available at Somatane Phata
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon
This hill is known by various names. Vetal Tekdi or MIT Tekdi or rather ARAI hill is full of natural beauty that would mesmerize you every time you visit.
If you are lucky, you can enter with your cycle and enjoy trail ride. Beware, people do not appreciate when you ring the cycle bell or make noise.
Total Distance: 20 kms
Ride Time: 2 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Bipin Snacks near Karve Road
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon and Winter
There is a nice 2-3 km climb just before you enter the ARAI Hills.
Don't hesitate to move at 1-1 ratio if you are not used to climbs.
Dive ghat is located near Hadapsar, as you go towards Saswad you will reach dive ghat. It offers an amazing view during monsoon.
Ghat is roughly around 3-3.5 kms.
View of Mastani Lake from Dive Ghat.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 3-4 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are available the at hill top.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon
There is an alternate route to reach Saswad is through Bopdev Ghat. This is in Pisoli Area and elevation is almost similar to Dive Ghat.
Total Distance: 50 kms
Ride Time: 3-4 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are available the at hill top.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon
This Jain temple is located at the hill top in Jambhulwadi village area. You get a nice view of City from the temple.
Be prepared for a little off-road to reach the temple. If you are riding a road bike, you might prefer to lift the bike on your shoulder and walk.
Total Distance: 40 kms
Ride Time: 3 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are available the at hill top.
Best Time to Visit: Winter and Summer
Bhandara Dongar is also known as Bhandara Hills which is around 5-6 km from Dehu gaon. Saint Tukaram used to come here for meditation and find inner peace.
Total Distance: 70 kms
Ride Time: 4 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are available the at hill top.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon & Winter
The ghat section is of roughly around 5-6 kms with an elevation of 770m.
Ride slow and be cautious of vehicles coming down from hill.
Difficult:
Purandar Fort is known as the birthplace of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
I have a separate blog on cycle ride to this place: Link
Total Distance: 120 kms
Ride Time: 6 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: No shop at the top, you get food around the base.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon & Winter
You have to climb at least one ghat before attempting the mighty Purandar fort.
1. Dive Ghat
2. Bopdev Ghat
Choose wisely :p
The necklace point is in Bhor, it’s a location where Nira river and Gunjawani river meet and create a Necklace shaped meander. That’s how this scenic viewpoint got its name as the Necklace point.
I have a separate blog on cycle ride to this place: Link
Total Distance: 100 kms
Ride Time: 6 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints available near the view point.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon & Winter
No matter what's your starting point, you will have to climb Katraj Ghat.
I would highly recommend you to go via Old Katraj Ghat for its natural beauty.
Once you climb the ghat, there is hardly any climb till the destination. But when you are returning, there would be gradual ascent till you reach Katraj.
Views are amazing throughout if you riding in between June to September.
Pawana lake is famous for its beautiful location. The lake water comes from the rain. It is one of the most surreal sites for camping and weekend drive near Mumbai & Pune.
I have a separate blog on cycle ride to this place: Link
There are many camping sites where you can book and advance and enjoy a beautiful evening by the lake watching sunset.
I would recommend you to do the entire circuit for Pawana Lake which is really beautiful.
Refer my Strava ride for detailed route: Link
Total Distance: 100 kms
Ride Time: 6 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Many food joints are available throughout the circuit
Best Time to Visit: Winter and Monsoon
Rich in ancient history and peculiar architecture, Bhuleshwar temple is a holy site devoted to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Maharashtra. This Shiv Temple is very unique as it defies the conventional architecture of a Hindu Temple. Situated at the top of a hill, it gives a very picturesque view.
You have to climb two steep ascents before you make it to the destination.
First one looks easy but literally drains all your energy if its sunny. Maximum elevation gain is 816m and climb is approximately 6kms long.
Lavasa is a privately planned city based on an Italian city Portofino. This place is a treat for motorcyclists because of the curvy roads. Nothing is interesting once you enter the city, but the real beauty lies in the journey.
Maximum elevation to this place is 810m.
Total Distance: 120 kms
Ride Time: 7-8 hours
Bike: Any [MTB/Road/Hybrid]
Food: Available throughout the route.
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon and Winter
Thank you all for traversing along!
Stay tuned for more adventurous additions to this blog as we explore the serenity of Pune.
Please don't forget to share this blog with your cycling buddies.
PS : The distances mentioned for each location has Subhash Chandra Bose Chowk as the reference point. Google Map Link
My Instagram Handle for more photos: Link
Strava: Link
Happy Cycling:)
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