Waterfalls in Lonavala: Don't Visit These 5 Waterfalls If You Hate Crowds and Trekking

The monsoon season has the magic of creating ‘FOMO’ if you don’t visit Lonavala at least once. The soothing scenery, drive through misty hills, hot maggi and boiled corn at foggy viewpoints, a few short treks and trails nearby is more like a checklist for Lonavala in monsoon. And then, there are the gushing waterfalls, bejewelling the Sahyadris. However, the reality of making this visit often involves bumper-to-bumper traffic, huge crowds with the exact same plan as yours, slippery trails with too many people capturing the same view and a trip that feels anything but memorable.

Social media feeds are full of weekend crowds around dams, lakes and waterfalls in Lonavala. So should you skip Lonavala waterfalls altogether? Not really. You must know what to avoid, when and where to go instead.

Here are 5 waterfalls in and around Lonavala that you might want to avoid—at least if your idea of a good weekend does not involve unruly crowds, muddy shoes and adventure gone wrong:

This tourist spot doesn’t technically fall under waterfalls in Lonavala, it is about 14 km prior to Lonavala via Mumbai. Rocky paths in Khopoli lead to these majestic falls, which have grown popular for adventure activities in recent times. Post-monsoon when the water starts to dry up, the straight mountain wall is used for rock climbing and rappelling activities.

With heavy rains, there is even a flash flood risk with the flow of the water. This year, a group of 50–80 people had to be rescued when sudden rains swelled the water levels.

While it looks adventurous in photos and videos online, it is best to avoid visiting this waterfall in Lonavala as a responsible tourist.

Kune Waterfall is one of the first signs that you are nearing Lonavala. Its three-tiered cascade can be spotted from the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, and even the view from a distance has become part of the journey. To get closer to the actual waterfalls, you need to take the old Mumbai–Pune highway and go towards Kune.

During the monsoon, slippery terrain, strong water flow and access restrictions can make getting close difficult. If you are happy admiring a dramatic waterfall from a distance, Kune is worth looking out for. But if you are expecting an easy, crowd-free spot where you can walk straight up to the water, this is not the waterfall in Lonavala for you.

Bhaja or Bhaje waterfalls, located near the Bhaja Caves, offer both places to explore. So if you’re keen on the history of historical caves from the 2nd century, this is a good place. Bhaje waterfalls have smaller cascades compared to the other big waterfalls near Lonavala but the serene atmosphere around makes up for it.

But if you don’t like crowds, this might not be a good place for you to visit. Since these waterfalls are easy to reach and small, a lot of families with kids prefer coming here for their holiday visit. Plus, anyone who comes till the caves always makes a stop at the waterfalls. On weekends, it can get very crowded so best to avoid it if you are also avoiding crowded tourist spots in Lonavala.

Not technically a naturally occurring waterfall, but during the monsoon, water flowing over its broad stone steps creates the waterfall-like scene that has made Bhushi Waterfall one of Lonavala’s most popular stops. A spot that’s been popular and synonymous with Lonavala itself, it attracts thousands of visitors every season. That popularity, however, comes with a catch: the steps are packed with hundreds of visitors at the same time. You may not even find a spot to sit peacefully without people pushing you around. It can turn a quick stop into a full-blown crowd and disaster experience. Recent videos from Bhushi Dam show the same.

Kataldhar Waterfalls in Lonavala are for those who believe in earning a good view. Reaching this 350-foot waterfall in the Ulhas valley involves going through the Rajmachi Fort trek route. It is a famous site for monsoon trekking enthusiasts. It involves steep climbs and slippery descent alongside a dense jungle. Depending on your endurance, this can be a moderate to difficult trek. The effort is part of the experience. But these waterfalls are thus not suited for families or those with young children.

The above list of waterfalls in Lonavala covers the most common ones which are buzzing with tourists and trekkers. But when driving through the old expressway, you will see not one but several waterfall streams from the valleys around. There are many hidden waterfalls in Lonavala, which you can get to with the help of asking some locals around.

The Khandala–Lonavala stretch has several lesser-known spots tucked away beyond its busiest tourist circuit, and asking local residents, hosts or people familiar with the area can sometimes lead you towards hidden waterfalls in Lonavala that see fewer visitors. Tungi village, the road towards Pawna lake or near Tiger Point, Shingroba waterfall — you will find smaller streams and water cascading.

If possible, plan your visit to Lonavala waterfalls over a weekday or on a Sunday mid-day when most people are retreating from theirs.

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1. What is the best time to visit Lonavala?

June to September is best for waterfalls and monsoon scenery, while October to February offers more pleasant weather for sightseeing, walking and outdoor activities.

2. Are Lonavala waterfalls safe?

Some Lonavala waterfalls are closed off for tourist activity. Some can be safe to visit, but heavy rain can make trails and rocks slippery and increase water flow. Avoid entering fast-moving water and skip difficult routes when weather conditions worsen.

3. Can I go waterfall-hopping in Lonavala?

Yes, but staying overnight or for a full day gives you more time to explore without rushing between spots. Plan around the weather, traffic and effort required to reach each waterfall.

4. Which is the best waterfall in Lonavala?

Kune waterfalls and Reverse waterfalls are said to be the best ones in Lonavala.