Pawna Lake: A Complete Guide for a Weekend Getaway in 2023

Pawna Lake

📍 Pawna Lake, MaharashtraView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:October to May

⏰ Open Hours:24 hours

🚣 Things To Do:Boating, Camping, Trekking, Bird-watching, Photography

💰 Budget:Camping starts from INR 1500 per person

👥 Traveller Types:Solo Travellers, Families, Couples, Adventure Enthusiasts

🏞 Known For:Scenic beauty, Serene atmosphere, Majestic views of Western Ghats

📍 Distances:From Pune Railway Station - 64.5 km, From Mumbai Airport - 122 km, From Lonavala town - 25 km

🌅 Sunrise/Sunset View:Offers stunning views of sunrise and sunset

🌜 Night Sky Observation:Ideal spot for stargazing and night sky photography

⛺ Camping Facilities:Tents, BBQ, Bonfire, Music, Meals

📸 Photography Tips:Best shots during golden hour, Use wide-angle lens for landscape photography

Are you looking for a perfect destination to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some quality time with nature? If yes, then you should definitely consider Pawna Lake as your next destination. Pawna Lake is a beautiful artificial reservoir that lies in the lap of the Sahyadri hills, near Lonavala in Maharashtra.

It is one of the most popular places for picnics, camping, and adventure activities in the state. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide for a weekend getaway at Pawna Lake, including the best things to do, places to visit, camping packages, and itinerary.

Camping at Pawna Lake

One of the most popular and recommended activities at Pawna Lake is camping. Camping at Pawna Lake is an incredible experience that allows you to spend the night under the starry sky in a tent by the lake. You can enjoy the campfire and barbecue, listen to live music and play games, and bond with your loved ones. Camping at Pawna Lake is also a great way to witness the stunning views of the surrounding hills, forts, and clouds, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Why You Should Camp at Pawna Lake

Here are some of the benefits and reasons why you should camp at Pawna Lake:

- You can enjoy the serene beauty and tranquility of nature away from the noise and pollution of the city.

- You can indulge in various water activities such as swimming, canoeing, boating, kayaking, etc. at Pawna Lake.

- You can explore the nearby historical and cultural places such as Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, Visapur Fort, Tung Fort, Kondeshwar Temple, Prati Pandharpur Temple, Dudhiware Waterfall, etc.

- You can experience the thrill of adventure activities such as paragliding, zip-lining, horse riding, cycling, trekking, etc. at Pawna Lake or nearby places.

- You can relax and rejuvenate yourself in the fresh air and pleasant weather of Pawna Lake throughout the year.

- You can have fun and make memories with your friends, family members, or partner at Pawna Lake camping.

Things to Do at Pawna Lake

Apart from camping, there are many other things to do at Pawna Lake that will make your trip more enjoyable and memorable. Here are some of the things that you can do at Pawna Lake:

Water Activities

Pawna Lake is a paradise for water lovers as it offers various water activities that you can indulge in. Some of the water activities that you can do at Pawna Lake are:

Swimming: You can swim in the clear and clean water of Pawna Lake and refresh yourself. Swimming is allowed only in designated areas with proper safety measures.

Canoeing: You can paddle a canoe on the calm surface of Pawna Lake and explore its surroundings. Canoeing is a fun activity that can be done by anyone with basic skills.

Boating: You can enjoy a boat ride on Pawna Lake and admire the scenic views of the landscape. Boating is a relaxing activity that can be done by anyone without any skills.

Kayaking: You can glide on a kayak on Pawna Lake and enjoy the thrill of water sports. Kayaking is an adventurous activity that requires some skills and experience.

Adventure Activities

Pawna Lake is also a hub for adventure seekers as it offers various adventure activities that you can try. Some of the adventure activities that you can do at Pawna Lake or nearby places are:

Paragliding: You can fly over Pawna Lake and enjoy the aerial view of the landscape. Paragliding is an exhilarating activity that allows you to soar in the sky like a bird. You can book a paragliding session with a professional instructor and experience the thrill of flying.

Zip-lining: You can zip across Pawna Lake and enjoy the panoramic view of the hills, forts, and clouds. Zip-lining is an exciting activity that allows you to slide on a cable from one point to another. You can book a zip-lining session with a trained guide and experience the thrill of sliding.

Horse Riding: You can ride a horse on the green meadows around Pawna Lake and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. Horse riding is a fun activity that allows you to bond with a majestic animal. You can book a horse riding session with an expert rider and experience the joy of riding.

Cycling: You can cycle on the roads or trails around Pawna Lake and enjoy the fresh air and pleasant weather of the place. Cycling is a healthy activity that allows you to exercise your body and mind. You can rent a cycle from a nearby shop or bring your own cycle and experience the joy of cycling.

Sightseeing Activities

Pawna Lake is also a rich source of historical and cultural heritage as it offers various sightseeing activities that you can do. Some of the sightseeing activities that you can do at Pawna Lake or nearby places are:

Visiting Forts: You can visit the forts that are located around Pawna Lake and learn about their history and significance. Some of the forts that you can visit are Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, Visapur Fort, Tung Fort, etc. These forts were built by the Maratha rulers in the 17th and 18th centuries and were used as strategic points during wars. You can admire the ancient architecture and carvings of these forts and enjoy the views from their top.

Visiting Temples: You can visit the temples that are located around Pawna Lake and seek blessings from their deities. Some of the temples that you can visit are Kondeshwar Temple, Prati Pandharpur Temple, etc. These temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vitthal respectively and are surrounded by waterfalls and greenery. You can admire the sacredness and beauty of these temples and meditate in their premises.

Visiting Waterfalls: You can visit the waterfalls that are located around Pawna Lake and enjoy their soothing sound and sight. Some of the waterfalls that you can visit are Dudhiware Waterfall, Bhivpuri Waterfall, etc. These waterfalls are formed by the streams that flow from the hills around Pawna Lake and create a spectacular scene. You can splash in the water or take pictures of these waterfalls.

Best Time to Visit Pawna Lake

Winter (October - February) is ideal for enjoying various Pawna Lake activities, such as camping, boating, kayaking, paragliding, trekking, and sightseeing. You can witness the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding hills, forts, and clouds from different perspectives. You can also capture some amazing photographs of the sunrise and sunset over the water.

Another good time to visit Pawna Lake is during the monsoon months of June to September. The lake gets filled with fresh water and the surrounding landscape becomes lush green and vibrant. The weather is also pleasant and refreshing, with occasional showers and breezes. However, some activities may be restricted or unavailable due to safety reasons during heavy rains.

Here's everything You Need to Know About Camping at Pawna Lake That No One Will Tell You!

How to Reach Pawna Lake

There are different ways to reach Pawna Lake from Mumbai or Pune, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some of the options:

By Bus:

You can take a private bus from Mumbai or Pune to Lonavala, which is the nearest city to Pawna Lake. The bus journey may take around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the traffic and weather conditions. From Lonavala, you can hire a private jeep to reach Pawna Lake, which is about 20 km away. The jeep may charge you around 1200 to 1500 rupees one way.

By Road:

You can drive your own vehicle or rent a car from Mumbai or Pune to Pawna Lake. The road journey may take around 2 to 4 hours, depending on the route and traffic.

There are two possible routes to reach Pawna Lake from Mumbai: Kamshet route and Dudhiware Khind route. The Kamshet route is longer (122 km) but has better road conditions and fewer twists and turns. The Dudhiware Khind route is shorter (108 km) but has poorer road conditions and more twists and turns. From Pune, there is only one route to reach Pawna Lake: Kamshet route. The distance is about 65 km and the road condition is average.

By Train:

You can take a train from Mumbai or Pune to Lonavala or Kamshet, which are the nearest railway stations to Pawna Lake. The train journey may take around 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type and availability of the train. From Lonavala or Kamshet, you can hire a private jeep to reach Pawna Lake, which is about 20 km away. The jeep may charge you around 1200 to 1500 rupees one way.

Places to Visit Nearby

There are many other places to visit nearby Pawna Lake that are worth your time and attention. Here are some of the best places to visit near Pawna Lake:

Lohagad Fort:

This is one of the most impressive and historic forts in Maharashtra, dating back to the 18th century. It was used by the Maratha ruler Shivaji and later by the Peshwas. The fort is situated on a hilltop and offers a panoramic view of the Pawna Lake and the surrounding hills. You can reach the fort by a short and easy trek from Malavli village, which is about 15 km from Pawna Lake.

Visapur Fort:

This is another majestic fort that is located near Lohagad Fort, on a higher elevation. It was built by the first Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath in 1713 and was later captured by the British in 1818. The fort has a large plateau on top, where you can see the ruins of old buildings, water tanks, cannons, and temples.

You can also see some carvings of Hanuman and other deities on the walls. The trek to Visapur Fort is more challenging than Lohagad Fort, but equally rewarding.

Tikona Fort:

This is a triangular-shaped fort that stands on a pyramidal hill, overlooking the Pawna Lake. It was built by the Nizamshahi dynasty in the 15th century and was later annexed by Shivaji. The fort has a steep and narrow entrance, which makes it difficult to access.

However, once you reach the top, you can enjoy the splendid view of the lake and the hills. You can also see a temple of Trimbakeshwar Mahadev and a seven-storeyed water tank inside the fort. The trek to Tikona Fort is moderate and takes about an hour from Tikona Peth village, which is about 7 km from Pawna Lake.

Tung Fort:

This is a small and isolated fort that lies on an oval-shaped hill near Pawna Lake. It was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty in the 17th century and was later conquered by Shivaji. The fort has a narrow and rocky path that leads to the top, where you can see a temple of Tungadevi and a few water cisterns.

The fort also offers a stunning view of the Pawna Lake and the nearby forts of Lohagad, Visapur, and Tikona. The trek to Tung Fort is difficult and requires some climbing skills. It takes about an hour from Tungwadi village, which is about 4 km from Pawna Lake.

Prati Pandharpur:

This is a replica of the famous Pandharpur temple, dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Rukmini. It is located near Dudhiware Khind, about 10 km from Pawna Lake. The temple complex has a spacious hall, a sanctum sanctorum, and an idol of Lord Vitthal made of black stone. The temple also has a beautiful garden and a pond. You can visit this place to seek blessings, meditate, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Dreaming of camping at Pawna Lake? Read Dheeraj’s blog and see how he had a starry night, a cozy campfire, and an adventurous camping experience.

Pawna Lake is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway in 2023, as it provides a memorable and enjoyable experience. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Pawna Lake today and have a fun-filled time.

Pawna Lake Reviews

Arya Kaushal

107 Followers

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One fine day in November, in office, me, Rajshree and Saumya were sitting in the cafeteria after lunch. All of us were bored with the daily routine and so, were discussing the nearby place to go. A few days ago, I had heard about the Pawna lake camping from a friend, so I suggested the same. After some research, we managed to get a contact number of the organizer; Rajshree called and asked everything in detail about the place, where to stay, what activities would be arranged. I called up my sister and Juhi and they both readily agreed to join. Hence the plan was finalized for the weekend. Pawna lake is situated near Lonavala and people from nearby villages have started the initiative of setting up tents and offering dinner, campfire, music near the lake. It was the first time I was going to stay in a tent and do campfire near the lake, and so I was really excited. To make our trip economic, we decided to travel on a local train till Lonavala and from there, the organizer agreed to pick us up till the campsite (we had to pay for that of course). Saturday morning, we packed our bags and took a local from Pimpri Station. The check-in to Pawna camp was after 4.00pm hence we took general tickets for a Pune-Lonavala local at 11.40 am.By 12.45pm, we were at Lonavala station and it was a bit hot at that time. The organizer sent the car without AC at around 1.30pm; we were somewhat disappointed as he had charged Rs.1000 separately for the pickup. But, with best buddies, you can survive anywhere! Hence, we ignored it and sang songs and laughed a lot. Then, we came along a beautiful road; rocks on both sides and a road in between, plus the weather was much better by that time. We asked the driver to stop there for a bit, took some selfies and photos and resumed our journey. It took around 1.15 hours to reach the actual site. The road is somewhat dangerous; for one moment we literally felt as if the driver was taking us the wrong way (this is what happens when one sees Crime Patrol so many times)! We reached the lakeside at almost 4.00pm; the sun was yet to go to sleep and we felt hot and hungry. We were given two tents and they were sufficiently big, hence, kept our bags and freshened up. There was an arrangement for toilets, both for boys and girls. We had brought our lunch with us so we had it and by then, we were given tea and some pakodas as the sun was slowly settling down and the weather was becoming pleasant. The real fun started after sunset. We changed our clothes and got ready for the DJ party. Yeah! the organizers handed over the speaker to us and we played all our favorite songs. By then, the crowd had become large and slowly everyone was on the dance floor. Though the weather was chilly, everyone was literally sweating; still, none of us wanted to stop. Finally, at around 8.30pm we were exhausted, so sat beside our tent and watched others enjoy it. Dinner was served by 8.45pm and we inaugarated it. We took out our jackets and the bonfire was lit. A series of incidents happened that day which moved us but we did not stop enjoying ,you know "choti choti bate Hoti rehti h bade bade shehro me". It was our first time sleeping in a tent, that too a chilly night, besides a lake; though it was really warm inside, we weren’t able to sleep properly. The reason was, there were people who had consumed alcohol and were playing just outside our tent for very long. It was a girls’ trip, we were scared because the guys were drunk and they were so close to our tent that they could fall into our tent. The faculty requested them to move away but they didn’t listen. I couldn’t tolerate it anymore because it was 1.00am already, my sister was in pain already and she was very much scared by those men. I gathered courage, opened the zip of my tent, slightly bent my face outwards and humbly requested them “Bhaiya aap log please zara is tent se dur hokar khelenge,hume disturb ho raha hai( could you please play away from our tent as we are getting disturbed)”and they quickly agreed and apologized for their behavior. My sister was not letting me talk to them initially because they were drunk but it would not have stopped if I didn’t step out. At that moment, we saw the guy who had drunk a lot, the previous night, was not able to move at all! His eyes were open, but the body was paralyzed. His friends did everything possible to make him move but he couldn’t. So they dragged him to the car and took him to the hospital. They had come to Pawna Lake for enjoyment but it turned out to be a tragedy for them. We finished our breakfast and started to leave the place with mixed feelings. The organizer dropped us till Lonavala station and we came back with a sweet and sour experience. My little sister also sprained her leg nad how we dealt with it was really funny. To know that,you can read my blog on https://smalltravellingbag.com/pawna-lake-camping/

Somdutta Sarkar

307 Followers

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It is always a necessity more than desire to take a break from the daily routine and spend some time in the lap of Nature, far away from all the chaos of City life. It so happened that I got to know about this place from a friend and immediately decided to land up in that valley surrounded by Western Ghats all around. We called up the person at the Pawna Camping Site for the booking approx 3 days before. The Lake is located beside the Lohagadh Fort and the Tikona Fort, surrounded by lush greenery and fresh air to breathe. The journey from Mumbai to Lonavla was a real hectic and adventurous , although it should have not been the case only if we could have taken up a direct bus to Lonavla or cab to Pawna. One friend was from Navi Mumbai, another one Mumbai and another from Thane. So we decided to meet at Panvel. Note- If you are travelling by bus , then better to take Shivneri directly from Thane or Dadar. It will reach destination much faster compared to other buses. Unfortunately we took a red-colour passenger bus from Panvel bus depot which reached Lonavla after 3 hours! (By that time we could have reached Pune. Phew! ) From Lonavala, the Pawna Lake is approx 12 kms. If you are taking your own vehicle you can directly take it near to the lake. However if you are travelling by public transport you either have to hire a rickshaw or a cab from Lonavla to Pawna Lake. The same rickshaw or cab will bring you back to Lonavla bus depot the next day morning. And yes, you have to mention that to the driver obviously :P The timing of the Campsite is from evening 4 pm to next day 10-11 am. After reaching Lonavla around 3:30 PM, we hired a cab from there to Pawna Lake. It took Rs. 1000 for the to and fro journey. There is no as such specific road or markings to show the way to the Lake. We somehow managed to reach there after taking directions from quite a few locals. Finally got the view of the Lake. Reached and parked the cab the end point of land. There were 2 boats to take us to the camping site.

Bappaditya Bhattacharya

156 Followers

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It was a Saturday evening, I was doing nothing much other than binge watching TV shows since morning. The sun was almost down and the feeling of wasting away another weekend was getting to me, that’s when I heard my phone ring, around 6.P.M. It was a school friend. We had been planning to go out hiking since a month now but our plans kept being pushed to later dates, thanks to our 9-5s which sucked us dry off our energy and enthusiasm. Now, weekends meant staying home and relaxing, not leaving much time for the outdoors. He had called to ask if I could make it for a day hike the next day. I find day hikes tedious and pointless, especially if you have to get back to work the next day. I put forth my idea of leaving Mumbai right away without wasting anytime and find a good spot to chill for the night. Surprisingly, he agreed without questioning my idea. Guess he was as bored as I was. Soon with a few more calls, we were three of us. Ready to head out, we started packing our backpacks still unclear about our destination. The nearest option was Lonavala and Matheran. But Lonavala is no less crowded than Mumbai, and we had been to Matheran a zillion times now. So these two were out of the question. A little farther from Lonavala, was the Pavna lake which isn’t frequented by many. The lake is huge, with a number of spots on offer to pitch your tent and quite a few hiking options too around. A 3 hours' drive away from the city, Pavna seemed to be the perfect choice. Without delaying any further, we set off towards Dadar and hailed a cab for Pawna. By 10:30, we got to our campsite with our tents. We began hunting for a flat piece of land to pitch our tents on. Camp was set by 11:30 with a roaring bonfire and we were enjoying our meal under the open sky. I’d say we had done a pretty good job to save the day.

Dheeraj

90 Followers

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Before I begin, Just look at this sunset. What it feels like looking at this picture, you will be more stunned after witnessing it live at that place . " Its just WOW" . So Starting with this 1 day short trip , in which I made most of it is just a hidden paradise between the Mountains of Lonavala . A perfect place to crash in the weekend after a long stressful week at work and feeling necessary to find oxygen, this is a perfect place for you. Distance : From Pune : 43 Kms Approx , Travel time : About 1 hr 30 mins From Mumbai : 130 Kms Approx , Travel time : About 3 hr 30 mins Booking: Bookings can be done from various tourism operators which can be found on internet. Packages varies from single location to multiple locations with bundled packages and so the price varies accordingly. We opted for a Single Location package. Timing : 5 PM to Next day 9 AM Price : 850/- Per Person Package Includes : Welcome Tea, Snacks, 1 Plate Barbecue ( Veg/ Non-veg - Depending on preference) , Unlimited Dinner , Bonfire, Music,Dance Outdoor activities like : Badminton. Cricket, Volleyball, Carrom Board ... etc Starting Our Trip : Best mode to travel : Bike We started from Wakad , Pune and started via Old Mumbai Pune Highway. The highway ends after 9-10 kms and the real trip begins when the Pawna approach starts as we had to travel in between many villages . Don't go by the reviews of roads. Roads are very good but single lane as these are connecting villages.

Sanskriti Ramtek

104 Followers

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Me and my friends were facing one of those disorganized days where we all had a desire to explore something and had very little time. And no, we were not going to settle for something less. It was 10 am already. We all live in Pune. Keeping in mind that we should to be back home before or till 9pm, we were super confused. I started scrutinizing Google Maps like a satellite to search places around Pune and I found PawnaDam which was exactly 55km from my place. We took a call and initiated our journey. Four girls on OUR short Road Trip. We were not so worried since we all had visited this place once at least. Pawnadam is located in Pawnagar area of Maval which is 40km from Pimpri-Chinchwad. The dam is the lifeline of Pimpri-Chinchwad area since it is the only source of water for them, without it PCMC has no water. It has become a famous tourist spot around Pune and Mumbai. Pawna Lake is quite close to Lonavala. It is surrounded by couple of forts namely as Tung, Tikona and the well-known Lohgad Fort.