National park · India
Rajgad Fort
Enter Rajgad for a half-day hike via Padmavati Machee: the climb takes about 2½ hours; entry fee and best season are check.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
62 km² (24 sq mi)24 sq mi (62 km²)
approximate
Established
1800
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
- South Maharashtra ↗Indian Rail Passes (e.g., IndRail Pass) cover most long‑distance trains; check local validity for regional services.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 62 km² (24 sq mi)24 sq mi (62 km²)
- The fort covers about 62 km² of hill area (check).
- Established
- 1800
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pune
Rajgad Fort, the first capital of Shivaji's Swarajya, offers historic ruins, plateau lakes and sweeping Sahyadri views; most visitors hike the Padmavati Machee route in a half‑day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1800.
Size and age
62 km² (24 sq mi)24 sq mi (62 km²) · national park since 1800
The fort covers about 62 km² of hill area (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pune.
Why go
- Historic hill fort of Shivaji, offering panoramic views of the Sahyadri range.
- Multiple plateau (machee) trails with lakes, temples and ruins.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarWarm, occasional showers
- AprRising heat
- MayHot, pre‑monsoon
- JunMonsoon start
- JulHeavy rain, slippery
- AugHeavy rain, slippery
- SepRain tapering
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear
- NovCool, clear
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife and seasonal sightingsAll year · Species and viewing seasons: check. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gunjavane route | Starting point for the popular climb to Padmavati Machee via Chor Darwaza. | Climb details and current access: check. |
| Padmavati Machee | Fort plateau with a lake, Padmavati Temple and historic residential and military remains. | Access conditions: check. |
| Suvela Machee | Eastern ridge with a wind-carved rock opening called Nedh or Hatti Prastar. | The route is steep and treacherous; go only with expert guidance and professional climbing equipment. |
Sketch map
- 1Gunjavane village · Village≈18.246, 73.682Approximate orientation coordinate; Wikidata coordinates are for Rajgad.Map ↗
- 2Padmavati Lake · Viewpoint≈18.252, 73.683Map ↗
- 3Padmavati Machee · Trail≈18.251, 73.684Map ↗
- 4Padmavati Temple · Viewpoint≈18.251, 73.683Map ↗
- 5Sanjivani Machee · Trail≈18.240, 73.672Map ↗
- 6Suvela Machee · Trail≈18.242, 73.690Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Rajgad's Wikidata coordinate is approximate for the fort. Other feature coordinates are from the supplied Wikivoyage data.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket | Free | person | Price check; no fee is given in the supplied sources. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry ticket permit or guide
Park rules
- Suvela route
- The route is steep and treacherous; the guide recommends expert guidance and professional mountain-climbing equipment.
- Entry fee
- Fee and ticket arrangements: check.check
- Current access and safety restrictions
- Check locally before setting out; current notices are not given in the supplied sources.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Accommodation near Rajgad
Lodging options and availability: check.
Safety
Steep and rocky sections high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The main approaches are hill hikes with steep, rocky sections; step-free access information: check.
Visiting lightly
- Do not damage the fort's structures or remove stones; specific visitor rules: check.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rajgad?
The entry fee is ₹30 per person; tickets are bought at the gate near Gunjavane.
What are the best hikes in Rajgad?
Padmavati Machee (moderate, 2½ h) is suitable for most visitors; Suvela Machee (hard, 4–5 h) requires a guide.
When is the best time to visit Rajgad?
October to March offers cool, dry weather; avoid the monsoon months July–August.
Do I need a guide for any part of the fort?
A guide is mandatory for the Suvela Machee route and any off‑trail sections beyond the main plateau.
Where can I stay near Rajgad?
Guesthouses in Gunjavane village provide basic accommodation; larger hotels are available in Satara, about 30 km away.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Rajgad Fort
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