Rajgad and Elephanta Caves

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Rajgad

   In the folded hills of the Sahyadri, south-west of Pune, a great flat-topped mountain rises above the valleys with sheer cliffs on all sides and walls running along its crest. This is Rajgad, the king's fort, and for about twenty-five years in the seventeenth century it was the capital of Shivaji, the Maratha warrior king who carved out an independent kingdom against the Mughal Empire and the sultanates of the Deccan. It is one of the most revered places in Maharashtra, and climbing it is something of a pilgrimage.

   Read the complete Rajgad write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Rajgad is where the day begins. Next is Lohagad.

2. 2. Lohagad

   In the monsoon, Lohagad disappears into the clouds and reappears, drenched and green, with waterfalls pouring off every ledge. This hill fort stands on a ridge of the Western Ghats a short distance from Lonavla, between Mumbai and Pune, and its walls and gateways crown a basalt plateau a few hundred metres above the surrounding valleys. Its name means iron fort, and it is one of the forts associated with the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, which in 2025 were grouped together on the UNESCO list as the Maratha Military Landscapes.

   Read the complete Lohagad write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Lohagad comes up about 108 km into the recorded legs. Next is Elephanta Caves.

3. 3. Elephanta Caves

   The boat leaves from the Gateway of India in Mumbai and takes about an hour to cross the harbour, passing warships, container ships and fishing boats, to a green island of rock and trees where, in the sixth century or thereabouts, a group of sculptors carved a temple into the hill. Elephanta Caves, as the Portuguese called them after a giant stone elephant they found near the landing, hold a collection of Hindu rock-cut temples dedicated to Shiva. The great cave contains huge carved panels, and the most famous is the Trimurti, a six-metre-high three-faced bust of Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer. The sculptures were damaged by soldiers and time, but they still have an extraordinary force.

   Read the complete Elephanta Caves write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 195 km into the recorded legs you reach Elephanta Caves. Next is back through Lohagad.

4. 4. back through Lohagad

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Lohagad write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Lohagad, late in the day. Next is Rajgad.

5. 5. Rajgad

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Rajgad write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Rajgad. That is the ride.