Kolhapur, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic beauty, is also a hidden gem for pet-friendly travel. Beyond the usual tourist spots, this city offers several offbeat locations where you and your pets can explore nature, history, and adventure together. Whether it’s a quiet lake, an ancient fort, or sprawling green plateaus, Kolhapur has something unique for every traveler. In this article, we’ll take you through 9 offbeat places in Kolhapur where your pets can roam free and enjoy the great outdoors, making it a memorable experience for both of you.
Rankala Lake
This scenic lake in Kolhapur offers a perfect evening with its boating facilities, a children’s park, street food stalls, walking and exercise zones, and lush green lawns to relax while enjoying nature, all set against the backdrop of an old palace. There’s a nice food court where you can enjoy snacks like bhel, chaat, vada pav, misal, and ice cream. The boat club offers half-hour boat rides for around ₹100. It gets quite crowded on weekends and holidays. Parking is available along the roadside, with no entry fee. The lake provides stunning views of Shalini Palace, Rankala Tower (Manora), and Sandhya Math. Surrounding the lake is a 4.5 km jogging track, ideal for morning walks with pets when it’s less crowded. You can also take your pets boating. The lake’s peripheral wall has multiple entrances, including stepped ones near Sandhya Math, where you can let your pets access the water.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/exVgRmKbTktKth7e6
Parking: Available along the roadside, with no entry fee.
Washroom facility: There is a public toilet near Rankala Tower.
Panchaganga ghat
Panchganga Ghat in Kolhapur is a tranquil and spiritual retreat. Situated along the sacred Panchganga River, it holds significant historical and cultural value. The beautifully carved temples, vibrant ghats, and calming river create a truly divine atmosphere. For the best scenic views, visit between 6-8 am or 5-7 pm—perfect for capturing stunning selfies and photos. This spot is also ideal for traditional photoshoots. Visitors can relax, enjoy the natural beauty, and listen to the soothing sound of the flowing river. Many temples line the ghat, where various Hindu rituals are performed. It’s a must-visit for those seeking a mix of spirituality, heritage, peace, and refreshment.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iK72mchtAiR3FWSS6
Parking: Huge parking space is available for buses and cars, with no entry fee.
Washroom facility: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Br3ubb7n3qWJLSNs9
Panhala
The fort is quite large and requires plenty of time to fully explore. You can drive around inside, or if you’re keen on exploring more thoroughly, walking is recommended. There are several small shops nearby selling limbu soda, sugarcane juice, and gola. Parking is abundant, making it an ideal picnic spot for students. From the top, you get a great view of the surrounding village. Before exploring, it’s helpful to check the fort map or hire a guide. This location offers magnificent views, and all key points are easily accessible by car, with no trekking required, making it perfect for a one-day trip from Kolhapur. The granaries are well maintained. Key spots to visit at the fort include: Teen Darwaja, Sajja Koti, Pusati Buruj, Tabak Udyan, Wagh Darwaja.
Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/Am1zj2eDUqfp9jgN9
Parking: Huge parking space available for 30-40 cars and buses.
Washroom facility: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uvDt8GeMoh2MiQBd8
Pavangad
This Fort is right next to Panhala. Pavangad is easily accessible by car. It takes hardly 20mins to trek till the top. It is a vast tableland offering stunning views of the plains, fields, schools, and villages below. It’s the highest point in Panhala. There are two routes to reach this place: one begins by taking a left from the first fort (the one with the well), and the other is a trekking path near the small village school, just before you ascend to the top of Panhala. Along this path, there’s also a small burial ground on the way to Pavangad. On the fort, you’ll find a stepwell, temples without idols, the Chand Suraj tower, broken idols of Lord Ganesha, a Shivlinga, and a dome known as the Ghee Well. The fort also offers a great view of Panhalgad and Jyotiba mountain.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Am1zj2eDUqfp9jgN9
Parking: Available
Washroom facility: Not available
Masai plateau
Masai Pathar, or Masai Plateau, is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in nature. It’s an expansive tableland, and navigating the rough, natural roads requires skilled driving. You can drive to the top and then enjoy a walk across the flat terrain leading to the sacred Masai Devi temple. The plateau offers stunning views of the city and is perfect for walking your dogs off-leash. Since it’s entirely flat, there’s no trekking involved, making it an ideal spot for senior dogs that can’t handle hikes. During the monsoon, the area is adorned with beautiful flowers. Along the way, you’ll encounter cattle and their keepers, who can guide you if needed. Follow the path marked by flagstones. The plateau also has small ponds and lakes scattered around. The Masai Devi temple is just a 10-minute walk from the parking area. Around 1-2 kilometers beyond the temple, you’ll find two Buddhist caves in a valley, but it’s not advisable to visit them alone. The plateau is relatively unexplored and seldom visited by tourists, offering a peaceful retreat.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UbPKYiNK12pNHieB6
Parking: Available on road.
Washroom facility: Not available
Pandavdara Buddhist cave
The Pandavdara caves are carved in a crescent shape, similar to the Ajanta caves in Aurangabad. Only jeeps and SUVs can reach the top of the mountain via off-road paths, while smaller cars and bikes must be parked along the route. From the parking area, there’s a flat trail leading to the caves, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach. Be sure to carry enough water. It’s best to visit the caves early in the morning, as the area becomes very hot by afternoon. There are no food stalls nearby, so plan accordingly. Since the site is isolated and unexplored, it’s recommended to visit in a group. Only local farmers are usually seen along the way. The location is ideal for letting your dog off-leash while enjoying a historical trek.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZeDHvHPuoe89vSLK8
Parking: Available on road.
Washroom facility: Not available
Pohale cave
Follow Google Maps and look for a royal blue signboard with the cave’s name in the ghats. If you’re driving a four-wheeler, you’ll need to park it in the ghat area where there’s space available. For those on bikes, it’s easier to reach, but if you have a car, you’ll need to park on the main road and walk downhill towards the right for 200-300 meters. The caves feature a large vihara, about 34 feet square, with 14 columns on three sides and 22 cells around the central hall, each measuring 7 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 7 feet high. There’s also a Chaitya and another cave with a raised rock-cut seat for a teacher, along with a water cistern. The caves are well-maintained, with an Archaeology Department guard present. This entire cave complex is a masterpiece of art set in nature, an experience that words cannot fully capture.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HGbHQEbqyDWQEDbj7
Parking: Available on road.
Washroom facility: Not available
Mouje Vadgaon Road (scenic)
Mouje Vadgaon road is like a mini Goa for the people of Kolhapur. The best time for photos is between 5-6:30 pm, when the sunlight is perfect. Reminiscent of Parra Road in Goa, this small town offers the vibe of a Goan village. The scenic beauty makes it an ideal spot for photography. The road is clean and uncrowded, with coconut trees lining both sides, giving off the same cinematic feel as seen in movies like ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Dear Zindagi’.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eUjQCTX5gvciWVin9
Parking: Available on road.
Washroom facility: Not available
Chinmay Ganadhish Ganapati Temple, Toap, Kolhapur
Chinmay Ganadhish is a Hindu temple located in Toap-Sambhapur, about 15 km from Kolhapur. It features what is said to be the tallest Ganesha idol in the world, standing 85 feet tall, with Dhyananilayam. The idol, made of cement concrete and weighing 800 tons, is seated on a five-headed snake and constructed using cement, iron rods, clay, and plaster of Paris. The statue is about a 10-minute walk from the parking area. In front of the statue, there’s a large fenced lawn where your pets can play. The massive Ganesh statue is visible from a great distance.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tRzvQUeAdJsVbP9o6
Parking: Huge parking space is available for buses and cars, with no entry fee. .
Washroom facility: Toilet block is on the left side of the parking.
