Last updated: August 2026
Sinhagad Fort is Pune’s favourite weekend escape: a 2,000-year-old hill fort in the Sahyadris, about 35 km from the city, famous for the 1670 battle where Tanaji Malusare gave his life to win it back for Swarajya. Some come for the trek, some drive up the ghat road, and quite a few come only for the pithla-bhakri at the top. This guide covers the timings, entry fee, trek routes, history and food, so you can plan the whole trip. It is part of my list of places to visit in Pune.
Sinhagad Fort: quick info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sahyadri hills, near Donje village, about 35 km from Pune |
| Timings | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, open all days |
| Entry fee | Free on foot | ₹50 (two wheeler) | ₹100 (four wheeler) for the ghat road |
| Trek time | 1.5 to 2 hours up from the base village |
| Trek difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Time needed | Half day (5 to 6 hours with travel) |
| Best season | Monsoon for greenery, winter for comfortable trekking |
| Old name | Kondhana Fort |
Sinhagad Fort entry fee 2026
Walking up costs nothing; the fort itself has no entry ticket. The charges apply only if you take a vehicle up the 8 km ghat road: around ₹50 for two wheelers and ₹100 for four wheelers, collected at the toll point. Carry cash, since network at the hill is unreliable for UPI. On busy weekend mornings the ghat road gets jammed and vehicle entry is sometimes paused for a while, so reach early if you plan to drive up.
Sinhagad Fort timings
The fort is open every day from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Trekkers often start from the base by sunrise, and that is the best plan: cooler climb, empty trail, and the view of the valley in morning light. In monsoon, check the weather before leaving, since the ghat road can close temporarily after very heavy rain.
The story of Sinhagad: “Gad ala, pan Sinha gela”
The fort was called Kondhana for centuries. In February 1670, Tanaji Malusare, one of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s most trusted commanders, led a night assault to take it back from the Mughal garrison commanded by Udaybhan Rathod. Legend says his men scaled the sheer cliff face at night. Tanaji fell in the battle, and the fort was won. Shivaji Maharaj’s words on hearing the news became immortal: “Gad ala, pan Sinha gela”, the fort is won, but the lion is gone. The fort was renamed Sinhagad, the Lion’s Fort, in his memory.
Memorials to both Tanaji Malusare and Udaybhan Rathod stand on the fort today, along with the tomb of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, who died here in 1700.
Trek routes to Sinhagad
Main route (from Sinhagad Paytha / Donje side): The standard trail, 1.5 to 2 hours up with stone steps and some rocky patches. Easy to moderate, fine for beginners and kids above 8 to 10 years with supervision. Plenty of company on weekends, plus lemonade and cucumber sellers along the way.
Kalyan Darwaza route: A steeper, quieter climb of around an hour from the Kalyan village side. Better for people who have trekked before.
K2S (Katraj to Sinhagad): The famous ridge night trek, 5 to 7 hours across a series of hills from Katraj to the fort. This one is for experienced groups, usually done overnight to finish with sunrise at Sinhagad.
Not trekking? The 8 km ghat road takes cars and bikes almost to the top gate. Cyclists also use it as a climbing challenge.
What to see on the fort
Enter through Pune Darwaza, the main eastern gate. From there the loop covers Tanaji Kada, the cliff where the night assault is said to have happened, the Tanaji Malusare memorial, the tomb of Rajaram Maharaj, the old Kaundinyeshwar Shiva temple, and the bastions of Kalavanteen Buruj and Zunjar Buruj. On a clear day you can see Khadakwasla Dam’s backwaters, Torna and Rajgad forts from the edges. Sunset Point on the western side is the spot to end the visit.
Food at Sinhagad: the real attraction
Ask any Punekar and they will tell you: half the reason to go is the food. Village stalls on the fort serve pithla-bhakri, zunka, thecha, kanda bhaji and matka dahi (curd in earthen pots), with buttermilk and nimbu pani to wash it down. It is simple village food cooked on wood fires, and after a two-hour climb it tastes better than any restaurant meal in the city. Rates are modest, but carry cash.
How to reach Sinhagad Fort from Pune
- By own vehicle: Pune to Donje Phata via Khadakwasla, around an hour’s drive. From Donje, either park at the base and trek, or take the ghat road up.
- By bus: MSRTC/PMPML buses run from Swargate towards Sinhagad Paytha (the base village). From there the trek starts.
- Shared jeeps: Available from the base to the top on busy days if you skip the trek.
Things to carry and keep in mind
Good grip shoes, at least a litre of water per person, a cap, and cash. Washrooms on the fort are basic. In monsoon the steps get slippery, so trek poles or at least careful footing help. Start early: by 10 AM on a Sunday, both the trail and the ghat road are packed. And carry your plastic back down; the fort suffers badly from weekend litter.
Places to visit near Sinhagad
Khadakwasla Dam falls on the way back and is a popular sunset stop with chowpatty-style food stalls. If you are building a full Pune history circuit, pair Sinhagad with Shaniwar Wada and the Aga Khan Palace over a weekend. For an easier family day, see my guides to Saras Baug and the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, or browse the full list of places to visit in Pune.
सिंहगड किल्ला: वेळ आणि प्रवेश शुल्क (मराठी माहिती)
सिंहगड किल्ला पुण्यापासून सुमारे ३५ किमी अंतरावर आहे. किल्ल्यावर पायी प्रवेश मोफत आहे; घाट रस्त्याने वाहन नेल्यास दुचाकीसाठी सुमारे ₹५० आणि चारचाकीसाठी ₹१०० शुल्क आहे. वेळ: सकाळी ६ ते संध्याकाळी ६, आठवड्याचे सातही दिवस. पायथ्यापासून ट्रेक साधारण दीड ते दोन तासांचा आहे. किल्ल्यावर पिठलं-भाकरी, झुणका, ठेचा आणि मटका दही प्रसिद्ध आहे. १६७० मध्ये तानाजी मालुसरे यांनी हा किल्ला जिंकताना प्राण दिले, त्यांचे स्मारक किल्ल्यावर आहे.
FAQs about Sinhagad Fort
What is the Sinhagad Fort entry fee?
Entry on foot is free. Vehicle charges for the ghat road are around ₹50 for two wheelers and ₹100 for four wheelers.
What are Sinhagad Fort timings?
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, open all 7 days. Early morning is the best time to start the trek.
How long is the Sinhagad trek?
1.5 to 2 hours from the base village on the main route. The Katraj to Sinhagad (K2S) ridge trek takes 5 to 7 hours.
Can we go to Sinhagad by car?
Yes, an 8 km ghat road goes almost to the top. Four wheelers pay around ₹100. On crowded weekend mornings, entry may be paused temporarily.
Why is Sinhagad Fort famous?
For the 1670 battle in which Tanaji Malusare recaptured the fort (then called Kondhana) and lost his life. Shivaji Maharaj’s words “Gad ala, pan Sinha gela” gave the fort its name.
What food is available at Sinhagad?
Village stalls serve pithla-bhakri, zunka, thecha, kanda bhaji, matka dahi and buttermilk. Carry cash.