Do you love zig-zagging through hilly roads with pretty landscapes by your side? If you are in Pune, then you are spoilt with choices! Pune, nestled amidst the majestic Sahyadris, offers an array of biking routes fulfilling every rider’s desire. Whether you want to go for a leisurely ride or love the thrill of passing through ghats, the Queen of Deccan delivers all the ingredients for an unforgettable adventure. Whether you are a seasoned rider or weekend warrior, here are the most popular bike rides around Pune! Here, we have covered not only the routes but also the activities you can do once you reach your destination. So, let’s check out the list if you want to get lost in the lush greenery and soak in the beauty of Western Ghats.
5 Popular Places for a Bike Ride near Pune
Pune is the city everyone looks to escape to! With the monsoon just around the corner, the ghats are all decked up with a fresh coat of green, you will get the chance to see picturesque hills as you ride by. In case you do not own a bike, don’t worry – bike rentals come in pretty handy! So, put on your helmet, wear your riding jacket and accessories, and prepare for the best bike ride near Pune to uncover hidden gems!
1. Pawna
Located just 52 kilometres from Pune, Pawna Lake is the campsite you read about in Enid Blyton books while growing up. The lake is an artificial one, located just off the old Mumbai-Pune highway, and easy to reach. For bike ride places near Pune, Pawna is one of the breathtaking destinations that look stunning on dewy mornings while attracting many for camping excursions by the lake. If you’re not in the mood for camp food, the roads are dotted with dhabas that serve everything from North Indian to South Indian to traditional Malwani cuisine. Even for a one day trip near Pune on bike, the calm and clear water of Pawna Lake will let you lose in its beauty away from the bustle of the city.
Distance from Pune: 52.2Kms
Best time to visit: August to February
Also read: Getting through the month on a budget: The Pune Edition
2. Bhandardara
This one is a hidden gem. Just a 4-hour bike ride away, Bhandardara is the right mix of lush landscapes, adventure sports and rich history to blow your mind away. The beautiful route is a treat for the senses while the multiple hikes and treks keep your adrenaline going. Most treks will also allow you to see ancient temples situated at almost every hill summit.
Besides, if you’re looking for something more challenging, take a shot at riding to the foot of Mount Kalsubai, Maharashtra’s highest peak. From there, venture out on foot to make the 1600-metre climb. The view from the top will mesmerise you and you’ll come back for more, we promise. Check out the Maharashtra State Tourism guest house to get a great bang for your buck. If you’ve got the resources, the unparalleled treehouse experience will elevate your vacation to the next level!
Distance from Pune: 171Kms
Best time to visit: July to December
3. Tamhini Ghat
Picture misty sprays of water as you wake up to a foggy valley. Now make it turn into reality with a ride to Tahmini Ghat. This not-so-crowded spot is located just 1.5 hours from Pune and offers one of the finest natural landscapes in Maharashtra to feast your eyes on. The place is known for its lakes and impromptu waterfalls. In fact, when riding there, you can start seeing small water streams trickling through the rocks at the side of the road once you cross Mulshi Dam.
Don’t forget to watch out for the Mulshi waterfalls, especially if you’re visiting the place during the rains. For a truly unforgettable visit, ditch the hotels and invest in a tent and sleeping bag. The lakeside beauty with a clear, starry sky above is bound to put the right end to your road trip. However, check the weather regularly for rain forecasts since the place is famous for having grey clouds hanging low from August to October.
Distance from Pune: 53Kms
Best time to visit: August to December
Also read: Bike Ride From Bangalore: 5 Places You Can’t Miss
4. Bhimashankar
Considered a religious trip by many, don’t let this destination fool you. The 120-kilometre-long route is nothing if not majestic. You’ll need to cross dense forest roads to get there and the place is supposed to be the origin of the river Bhimashankar. While you can indulge your spiritual side here by visiting the Bhimashankar temple atop a steep hill, you really need to set some time aside to explore the wildlife sanctuary.
The place is best visited on the pre-monsoon or post-monsoon days as the rain doesn’t hinder visibility during your ride. While there are multiple stay options, budget travellers should definitely consider the dharamshalas that offer a comfortable stay for no or nominal charge!
Distance from Pune: 120Kms
Best time to visit: July to August and October to January
Also read: 5 Essential Road Trips From Chennai: A Biker’s Guide
5. Mahabaleshwar
Okay, so this might not be all that unique of a holiday spot, but hey, have you seen how amazing the place is? Surrounded on almost all sides by the Koyna National Park, Mahabaleshwar has the right mix of beauty with luxury. To make the most of your trip, loosen your purse strings a little (We’re sure you’ll be able to use the money you save with RentoMojo’s bike rentals here).
Mahabaleshwar is about 3.5 hours away so pack extra hydration for the route. The town is full of picturesque Airbnb cottages and even villas. If you’re going in a large group of riders, book an entire villa to have privacy while you party!
Distance from Pune: 140Kms
Best time to visit: September to February
You know, with so many great options for bike rides near Pune, you should already be choosing your bike from RentoMojo and riding off into a scenic sunset. In case you’re caught up, share this with a friend who needs a vacay!
FAQs
Which places to visit nearby Pune on bike?
Mulshi (45 km), Tamhini Ghat (53 km), Pawna Lake (52km), and Bhor Ghat (69 km) are a few nearby places for bike rides from Pune.
What are the scenic routes near Pune?
Malshej Ghat, Panchgani, and Pawna Lake are some of the scenic routes near Pune.
Where can I visit on the outskirts of Pune?
Della Adventure Park, Lohagad Fort, and Panshet Dam are the top attractions around Pune.
Can I go to Lonavala by bike?
Lonavala is accessible by road, either the Mumbai-Pune expressway or the old national highway. The Pue to Lonavala distance by bike is 63.4km and usually takes less than 2 hours.
Where can I go out for a day in Pune?
Aga Khan Palace, Mahatma Phule Museum, and Pataleshwar Temple are the best places to visit Pune for a half-day trip.
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We’d suggest taking a look at Pawna Lake Camping to get a great deal on stay and meal packages.
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Are you looking for an extreme lakeside camping experience? Where will you be surrounded by serene nature and forts around the lake? We are offering you the convenience of Pawna lake exploring. Pawna lake is the most charming camping spot in Thakursai, and it is kilometers from Thakursai city center. We are offering you the best experience at Pawna lake camping. We provide a tent stay, unlimited dinner, free snacks, and delicious barbecue. Not only that, but we provide live guitar music to soothe your evening. A campfire and adventure activities will add more fun to your trip.
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In the lap of Sahyadri ranges “Camp Laker’s Retreat-Pawna Lake Camping” is the place where you can enjoy a peaceful and pleasant weekend at Lakeside camping near lonavala . “Camp Laker’s Retreat-Pawna Lake Camping” is situated near Pawna Dam surrounded by hills, greenery, wondering clouds and waving breeze.
Camping at pawna lake brings you a chance to experience Pawna Camping firsthand! Enjoy spending overnight beside a bonfire and Pawna lake. Yes! You can dance and sing a song! Play free activities such as cricket, badminton, soft archery, dart game and more. You don’t have to carry camping gear or food. We provide snacks, live BBQ, unlimited dinner and breakfast on specific time from 4 pm check-in to next day 11 am checkout. Inside the tent, you will get foam mattress, bed-sheet, pillow and one blanket per person.
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Thank you for the post! Would love to explore the Tamhini region as soon as the lockdown is lifted. You could probably add Malshej Ghat to the list as well, it has a lot of offbeat locations that can be an opportunity for a one day trek.
Wow, awesome road trip places to explore around Pune. I really enjoy going bike trips, especially in the rainy season. Thanks for such a great list!
We recommend visiting these places Igatpuri, Rajmachi, Andharban, Devkund, Velas on your next bike trip
[…] Also read: 5 bike trips you MUST take around Pune […]
Thanks for posting this blog. I will interested to going to bike trip at pawna
Ohh nice!!! Thank you very much for this information. I was looking for some interesting places to visit near Pune and now I’m really glad to found your blog. I recently visited Pawna Lake camping with my family. That was an awesome experience for me and my family.