Korigad (also spelled Koraigad) is a compact Sahyadri hill fort about 18 km south of Lonavala in Pune district, Maharashtra, and it makes one of the easiest and most satisfying first treks in the Maval region. Its stone rampart survives almost whole, so you can walk the full loop of the wall past old cannons, two hilltop lakes and the Koraidevi temple. This guide covers how to reach Peth Shahpur, the best season, what to see and what still needs checking on the ground.
Korigad, in Pune district, Maharashtra, is a roughly 923 m (3,028 ft) hill fort about 18 km south of Lonavala whose intact perimeter wall of about 2 km you can walk right around. Best climbed from Peth Shahpur between June and February, it is an easy, family-friendly Sahyadri trek of three to four hours.
Key takeaways
- Korigad stands at about 923 m (3,028 ft) in Pune district, roughly 18 km south of Lonavala, with Peth Shahpur village about 1 km north as the base, according to Wikipedia’s fort entry.
- The fort’s stone wall is almost completely intact, and you can walk its full perimeter of about 2 km past six cannons, including the largest, the Laxmi Toph.
- Best visited June to February: monsoon for green and full lakes, October to February for clear air and cool walking, per Outlook Traveller’s trek guide.
- It is a beginner-friendly climb of roughly three to four hours in all, on an earthen path that joins stone steps to the main gate.
- Nearest railway is Lonavala on the Mumbai–Pune line; nearest airport is Pune International, about 64 km away.
- No official state entry fee or permit was confirmed for this guide as of October 2026; some guided packages mention a forest-area charge, so reconfirm locally.
About Korigad and quick facts
Korigad is a hilltop fort in Pune district, Maharashtra, sitting at about 923 m (3,028 ft) and rising a little over 200 m above the valleys around it, according to Wikipedia’s entry on the fort. It is best known for a rampart that has survived almost whole, so the walk is less a scramble to a summit and more a circuit of a walled plateau.
The fort is disambiguated from other Sahyadri hill forts by its setting: it stands above Peth Shahpur village, about 18 km south of the hill town of Lonavala, with the planned township of Aamby Valley built across its southern and eastern foothills. Trekkers also spell it Koraigad or Koarigad. Thereafter this guide uses the single spelling Korigad.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Pune district, Maharashtra; about 18 km south of Lonavala |
| Height | About 923 m (3,028 ft) |
| Base village | Peth Shahpur, about 1 km north of the fort |
| Trek grade | Easy; suitable for beginners and families |
| Time needed | About 3–4 hours round trip, including the wall circuit |
| Best season | June to February |
| Nearest railway | Lonavala (Mumbai–Pune line) |
| Nearest airport | Pune International, about 64 km |
History: Maratha fort to British capture in 1818
Korigad’s exact date of construction is not known, but it likely predates 1500, according to Wikipedia’s fort entry. The fort then passed through the two powers that shaped most forts in this range. In 1657, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj incorporated Korigad into his kingdom along with the neighbouring forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona.
The fort’s recorded end as a stronghold came in 1818, during the last Anglo-Maratha war. According to the same account, Colonel Prother of the British forces tried to take Korigad on 11 March 1818 but made no headway through a prolonged siege. On 14 March 1818, the stored ammunition inside the fort was ignited, reportedly by a loose cannonball, and Korigad fell to the British. The dates and the cannonball detail come from Wikipedia’s entry and are repeated in Outlook Traveller’s trek feature; treat the cannonball as the traditional account rather than a confirmed military record.
Best time to visit Korigad
The best time to visit Korigad is June to February, covering the green monsoon and the cool, clear months that follow. According to Outlook Traveller’s trek guide, the monsoon from June to September is the fort’s signature season, with full lakes and green ramparts, though it brings sudden showers and slick rock. October and November give clear air and long views, and December to February are cool and comfortable for walking, even if the hilltop ponds recede.
Summer, from March to May, is walkable only if you start at sunrise to avoid the heat, and the lakes shrink. Because this is a monsoon-heavy range, start early on any wet-season day and keep time in hand for fog that can cut visibility on the open wall.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Green slopes, full lakes, mist; slippery rock and sudden showers |
| Post-monsoon | Oct–Nov | Clear air, long views, comfortable temperatures |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Cool and pleasant; ponds recede but walking is easy |
| Summer | Mar–May | Hot; climb at sunrise only, carry extra water |
How to reach Korigad
You reach Korigad by road to Peth Shahpur village, driving the Aamby Valley road south from Lonavala for about 18–20 km and parking near the village bus stop, from where the fort is about 1 km away. Lonavala is the practical hub: it sits on the Mumbai–Pune railway line and has the nearest station, so most visitors train or drive to Lonavala first, then cover the last stretch by cab or the Aamby Valley bus.
By rail, Lonavala station is a halt for Mumbai CST–Pune express and mail trains and is the origin of Lonavala–Pune suburban (local) trains, according to its Wikipedia entry. By air, Pune International Airport is the closer option at about 64 km, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai about 104 km away. Road distances from the big cities vary by source, so the table below gives ranges rather than a single figure; check a map app on the day.
| From | Approx. distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Lonavala | About 18–20 km | Cab or Aamby Valley bus to Peth Shahpur, then 1 km on foot |
| Pune | About 70–91 km | Road via the expressway/old highway to Lonavala, then onward |
| Mumbai | About 96–107 km | Train or road to Lonavala, then cab to Peth Shahpur |
| Nearest railway | Lonavala station | Mumbai–Pune expresses and Pune–Lonavala locals halt here |
| Nearest airport | Pune, about 64 km | Mumbai airport about 104 km as an alternative |
If you are planning a wider trip, our Maharashtra travel guide sets Korigad in the context of the state’s forts and hill stations, and the Pune travel guide helps if you are basing yourself in the district.
Things to see and do on the fort
The main thing to do on Korigad is walk the full perimeter of the rampart, which survives almost completely intact over a circuit of about 2 km, according to Wikipedia’s entry. The approach from Peth Shahpur begins on a roughly 5-ft-wide earthen path, then joins stone steps that climb to a large, intact entrance gateway, per Outlook Traveller’s trek guide. From the wall you look out over the plateau and the dammed lakes of the Aamby Valley project below.
On the flat top you will find two lakes, which fill in the monsoon and recede by winter. The patron goddess’s shrine, the Koraidevi temple, can hold about 25 people and has a 3-ft lamp tower (Deepmala), with smaller temples to Vishnu and Shiva nearby. The fort keeps six cannons; the largest, the Laxmi Toph, sits near the Koraidevi temple. These counts and names come from Wikipedia’s entry. The surrounding Maval country is dotted with other hill forts: Tung and Tikona forts and Pawna Lake lie to the south-east and are usually visited as separate add-on stops rather than reached from Korigad itself.
| Feature | Detail | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Rampart circuit | Almost intact wall, about 2 km perimeter walk | 45–60 min |
| Entrance gateway | Large, intact stone gate at the top of the steps | 10 min |
| Koraidevi temple | Patron goddess shrine with a 3-ft lamp tower; holds about 25 people | 15 min |
| Cannons | Six in all; the largest is the Laxmi Toph near the temple | 15 min |
| Hilltop lakes | Two ponds, full in monsoon, receding by winter | 15 min |
A simple one-day itinerary
Korigad works best as a half- to full-day trip from Lonavala, climbed in the morning before afternoon cloud builds. A sensible plan is:
- Early morning: Leave Lonavala by cab or bus, reach Peth Shahpur and start the walk from near the village bus stop.
- Mid-morning: Climb the earthen path and stone steps to the entrance gate; allow about 45–60 minutes at an easy pace.
- Late morning: Walk the full rampart circuit, visit the Koraidevi temple and the cannons, and rest by the lakes.
- Midday: Descend before the heat or the rain; carry your own food, as there are no eateries on the fort.
- Afternoon: Back in Lonavala for lunch, or drive on to Pawna Lake for a sunset stop if you have your own vehicle.
Where to stay near Korigad
The practical base for Korigad is Lonavala, which has the widest choice of stays within an easy drive of Peth Shahpur. There is no accommodation on the fort itself, and Peth Shahpur is a small village, so most visitors sleep in Lonavala or in the Aamby Valley area and climb in the morning. The bands below are planning estimates, not quoted tariffs, and hill-town rates rise sharply on weekends and in peak monsoon, so book ahead.
| Type | Approx. per night (double) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | Guesthouses and small hotels in Lonavala; book early on weekends |
| Mid-range | ₹3,500–₹7,000 | Resorts and hotels around Lonavala and Aamby Valley road |
| Luxury | ₹8,000 and up | Larger resorts in the Lonavala–Aamby Valley belt |
Rates vary with season and demand; use these as a starting point and reconfirm with the property before booking.
Food to try around Lonavala
Around Lonavala the food to try is the hill town’s own snacks, since there is nothing to buy on the fort and you should carry your own water and food up. Lonavala is best known for chikki (a hard brittle of jaggery and nuts or sesame), sold in dozens of shops along the main road, and for hot vada pav (a spiced potato fritter in a bread bun) and bhajji (deep-fried vegetable fritters) that suit a rainy day.
Fresh corn on the cob, roasted and rubbed with lime and salt, is a monsoon staple at roadside stalls. For a sit-down meal, Lonavala’s eateries serve standard Maharashtrian thali (a platter of rice, breads, dal and vegetables) and the usual North Indian and Chinese menus found across hill towns. Carry enough water for the climb; there is no reliable source on the fort.
Budget for a day trip
A day trip to Korigad from Lonavala can cost roughly ₹600–₹2,500 per person depending on whether you share a cab and join a guided group. The fort has no confirmed official entry charge for this guide, so the biggest variable is transport from Lonavala to Peth Shahpur and back. The breakdown below is a planning estimate for one person on a day trip, not a quoted price, and should be reconfirmed before you travel.
| Item | Approx. cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (Lonavala–Peth Shahpur return) | ₹300–₹1,500 | Shared cab or bus at the low end; private cab at the high end |
| Food and water | ₹150–₹400 | Snacks and bottled water carried from Lonavala |
| Guide or group fee (optional) | ₹0–₹1,000 | Only if you join an organised trek |
| Possible forest/entry charge | Reconfirm locally | Some packages mention a forest-area fee; no official figure confirmed |
| Total | ₹600–₹2,500 | Day trip, excluding stay in Lonavala |
Permits, rules and safety
No inner-line or special permit is needed to visit Korigad, and no official state entry fee was confirmed for this guide as of October 2026. Some guided-trek packages list a forest-area entry charge as covered in their price, which suggests a local fee may apply at the base, so reconfirm the current position with your operator or the local forest office before you go. Korigad is a protected historical site; do not deface the walls, cannons or temples, and carry your litter back down.
On safety, this is an easy trek but still an open hilltop. According to Outlook Traveller’s trek guide, you should wear grippy trekking shoes, carry a light rain jacket and quick-dry layers in the monsoon, keep your phone in a dry bag and start early to beat afternoon cloudbursts. Fog can reduce visibility on the exposed rampart, so keep away from the unguarded edge in mist and do not rush the wet stone steps. Carry enough water and snacks, as there are no eateries on the fort. There is no altitude concern at about 923 m. Solo travellers, including women, generally find this a well-used, popular trek, especially on weekends and in the monsoon; even so, start early, tell someone your plan and avoid being on the fort near dusk.
Nearby places
Korigad sits within easy reach of Lonavala’s other sights and a cluster of Maval forts and lakes, so it pairs well with a longer weekend. The table below lists the closest add-ons and why each is worth the detour.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Lonavala town | About 18–20 km | Hill-town base, viewpoints and chikki shops |
| Aamby Valley area | Adjoining the foothills | Planned township built across Korigad’s lower slopes |
| Pawna Lake | South-east, via Lonavala side roads | Reservoir with lakeside camps and sunset stops |
| Tung Fort | South-east, across the Pawna backwaters | Slender pinnacle fort for a steeper climb |
| Tikona Fort | South-east, near Pawna | Triangular hill fort, another short Sahyadri trek |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Korigad trek easy for beginners?
Yes. Korigad is one of the easiest fort treks near Lonavala and is widely recommended for families and first-time hikers. The climb from Peth Shahpur takes about 45–60 minutes on an earthen path that joins stone steps, and the round trip including the rampart walk runs about three to four hours at an easy pace.
How high is Korigad fort?
Korigad stands at about 923 m (3,028 ft) above sea level in Pune district, Maharashtra, rising a little over 200 m above the surrounding valleys, according to Wikipedia’s fort entry. There is no altitude concern at this height. The flat, walled top makes the final stretch feel gentle despite the climb up the stone steps.
What is the best time to visit Korigad?
The best time to visit Korigad is June to February. The monsoon from June to September brings green slopes and full lakes but slippery rock, while October to February offers clear air and cool, comfortable walking, according to Outlook Traveller’s trek guide. Avoid midday in summer; if you go then, start at sunrise.
How do I reach Korigad from Lonavala?
Drive or take the Aamby Valley bus south from Lonavala for about 18–20 km to Peth Shahpur village, then walk roughly 1 km to the base of the fort. Lonavala, on the Mumbai–Pune railway line, is the nearest station; a cab is the simplest way to cover the last stretch, especially in the rains.
Is there an entry fee or permit for Korigad?
No official state entry fee or special permit was confirmed for this guide as of October 2026, and no inner-line permit is needed. Some guided-trek packages mention a forest-area charge covered in their price, so a local fee may apply at the base. Reconfirm the current position with your operator or the forest office before you travel.
What can you see on top of Korigad?
On top you can walk an almost intact rampart of about 2 km, visit the Koraidevi temple with its 3-ft lamp tower, see six old cannons including the large Laxmi Toph, and rest by two hilltop lakes, according to Wikipedia’s entry. The wall gives wide views over the Maval plateau and the dammed lakes below.
Last updated and sources
Korigad suits beginners, families and anyone who wants a short, well-preserved fort walk rather than a hard climb; go between June and February, climbing in the morning. It pairs naturally with a Lonavala weekend taking in Pawna Lake and the nearby Tung and Tikona forts.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia: Korigad (fort height, history, ramparts, cannons, temple, lakes); Outlook Traveller: Korigad Fort trek (season, trek approach, safety; sponsored feature); Wikipedia: Lonavala railway station (rail connections). Road distances and prices vary by source and are given as dated, indicative ranges to reconfirm. Accessed September 2026.
