Around Mulshi..
Mulshi is one of the most popular destinations near Pune. If you visit Mulshi especially during the monsoons it would be even difficult to beleive that such greenery is possible so close to the concrete jungles of the city.The Tamahini ghats ahead of Mulshi towards Mangaon is one amongst the prettiest ghats offering amazing views of the valleys and hills that connects the higher plateues to the Konkan beaches.
Raigad Fort..
Raigad is much more than a tourist spot for many. A monument the prophetic vision of Hindavi Swarajya Raigad fort, the capital of the Maratha Empire is about 90 Kms from Mulshi. On the way to Mangaon from Mulshi at Nizampur a detour takes you to this formidable hill fortress. The unique feature of this for is the Raigad Ropeway built in 1996 by late Shri V M Jog which is useful for the elderly.
About 50 Kms from Mulshi is Varasgaon dam. Built on the Mose river Varasgaon dam is also called Veer Pasalkar dam. Varasgaon is yet another rustic small hamlet in this region of hills and lakes with many small farmhouses dotting the lake shore. Varasgaon is also a popular hiking place near Pune. Panshet and Varasgaon together with Khadakwasla form the major water reservoirs near Pune supplying water to the city.
Panshet
Panshet about 70 KM via Lavasa from Mulshi is a great drive especially during monsoons. A popular destination for the cyclists from Pune its not rare to find groups of cyclists traversing the winding roads near Panshet. Panshet is also the closest water sports destination from Pune.
Nilkantheshwar Temple
Nilkantheshwar is a beautiful temple built on a small hillock in the vicinity of Panshet and Varasgaon dam dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main attraction of this temple is scores of sculptures made in cement depicting various mythological characters like Dashavatar, Ashta Vinayaka, Bhism Vadh and so on. Nilkantheshwar is about 20 Kms from Lavasa.
Temgarh with the Temgarh dam is a little known destination about 50 kms from Panshet and about 25 Kms from lavasa. With a few farm houses and great weather Temgarh is amazing during and after monsoons. Infact Temgarh is gaining in popularity as a monsoon destination from Pune even over Mulshi and Tamhini ghats which currently are the most frequented places near Pune during monsoons.
