Ulhas Valley Trek
Pune, Maharashtra
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- Max altitude
- 629 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 7 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Short, but the trail drops about 250 m from the Khandala rim into a narrow, rocky canyon and you climb all of it back out. The operator grades it 'Medium Plus' and counts 10–12 rock patches to climb up and down; wet boulders and stream crossings are slippery in monsoon.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Khandala (Kune side) → Khandala (Kune side)
629 m → 629 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Kune Village, Khandala (start of the OSM 'Canyon valley' path)
at 629 mLoading forecast…
High point · Trail start at Kune, Khandala, on the rim of the Ulhas valley
at 629 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Kune Village, Khandala (start of the OSM 'Canyon valley' path)
- Nearest railway
- Khandala (Lonavala is the nearest major station)
- Nearest airport
- Pune International Airport (Lohegaon)
- By road
- Mumbai CSMT to Khandala by the Deccan Express (operator itinerary: depart 07:00, arrive about 09:30), then walk to the Kune side of Khandala; Mumbai to Khandala by road, about 80 km via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway; Pune to Khandala, about 80–100 km (2–3 hours) via the Expressway
- Drive
- About 2.5 h from Mumbai
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹100–1,500
With an operator
₹600–1,300
Per person. Treks and Trails India lists the trek at Rs 600 ex-Khandala (you buy your own train tickets and carry lunch). An older 2019 listing of a Canyon Valley trek from Pune charged about Rs 1,260 with transport and breakfast; no second current operator price was found. Self-guided estimate is ex-Khandala: second-class train fare from Mumbai or Pune plus snacks at the low end, and a hired local guide (fee to be negotiated) at the high end. No entry ticket or permit is published.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 20
Monsoon months (Jul–Sep): pack everything in plastic or a dry bag and wear shoes with good grip.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed by sources; good at Khandala, expect weak signal deep in the canyon
- Last ATM
- Khandala / Lonavala
- Nearest hospital
- Lonavala town (about 5 km)
- Water
- Streams and waterfalls flow in monsoon; facilities on the trail are very limited, so carry at least 2 litres
Highlights
- A steep, green canyon below Khandala where the Ulhas river begins its run down the ghat
- A tall waterfall at the head of the valley (a 2019 event listing quotes about 320 ft) and many smaller monsoon falls on the surrounding hills
- Boulder-hopping along the stream bed, with 10–12 short rock patches
- An easy day trip by train from Mumbai or Pune, with Khandala station a short walk away
Risks
- Monsoon prohibitory orders: Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi's Section 163 BNSS order for the Lonavala police station area (6–31 July 2026) barred entry into waterfalls, streams and hazardous viewpoints. Similar orders were issued in July 2024. Check the current order before going in July
- Flash floods: streams in the canyon can rise fast in heavy rain; do not cross a swollen stream or stand under a fall
- Slippery boulders and 10–12 rock patches; a fall here is a real injury risk, especially on the climb back out
- Easy to lose the way: a travel guide says the trail is not well marked and recommends a local guide; it calls the trek unsuitable for first-timers in heavy monsoon
- Kune Falls nearby sits on private property, so stay on the public path and do not trespass
Know before you go
Questions
How difficult is the Ulhas Valley (Canyon Valley) trek?
The operator grades it 'Medium Plus': about 2½ hours of steep descent and climbing, with 10–12 rock patches to climb up and down. A travel guide calls it moderately difficult, with big stones and narrow paths, and says it is not for first-time trekkers.
When is the best time to do the Ulhas Valley trek?
July to October, when the waterfalls run. A travel guide gives July to December for green scenery. Note that in July the Pune Collector has issued safety orders for the Lonavala area that ban entering waterfalls and streams.
How do I reach the Ulhas Valley trek from Mumbai?
Take the Deccan Express from Mumbai CSMT to Khandala; the operator's batch leaves at 07:00 and reaches about 09:30. From Khandala station, walk to the Kune side, where the trail drops into the valley. Return trains in the evening include the Deccan Express and the Koyna Express.
Do I need a permit or entry ticket?
No permit or entry ticket is published for the trek. Kune Falls nearby is on private property; check locally for any current monsoon restrictions.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: PuneMaharashtra
- Nearest hospital
- Lonavala town (about 5 km)
- Last ATM
- Khandala / Lonavala
- Phone network
- Not confirmed by sources; good at Khandala, expect weak signal deep in the canyon
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Ulhas Valley
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Ulhas Valley Waterfall Trek - Canyon Valley Trek (operator Treks and Trails India, treksandtrails.org; not this site) — Treks and Trails India
- Canyon Valley (Ulhas Valley) Waterfall, Khandala — Airial Travel
- Pune district imposes monsoon safety curbs in Lonavala till July 31 (6 July 2026) — NewKerala (IANS)
