Pune Biker’s Thrilling Foggy Ride To ‘A City That Forgot How To Breathe’ Proves Worth Every Risk
Pune Biker’s Thrilling Foggy Ride To ‘A City That Forgot How To Breathe’ Proves Worth Every Risk
Fog, silence, and a strange sense of emptiness marked a recent early-morning journey from Pune to Lavasa. Once envisioned as India’s first planned private hill station, Lavasa promised a modern hill-town lifestyle. Today, the city remains incomplete, with large stretches empty, yet it continues to attract visitors curious to see its unusual charm. One biker recently shared his experience, capturing both the thrill and eeriness of exploring this forgotten city.
The rider set off via the Khadakwasla route around 5 AM. Up to Khadakwasla dam, the journey was smooth — clear roads, calm surroundings. But approaching Pashan Lake, dense fog suddenly appeared, reducing visibility to barely five meters. Complete silence made the ride feel risky and unsettling. “It was around 5 AM, pitch quiet, and honestly terrifying for a moment. I slowed down, kept my calm, and just kept riding,” he wrote in his Reddit post.
Upon reaching Lavasa, the fog cleared, revealing a scenic panorama: a tranquil lake, rolling hills, and colorful European-style buildings. Everything looked carefully planned and visually stunning. Yet, the city felt hollow. Wide roads echoed with silence, and nearly all windows remained closed. The biker described the feeling: “Lavasa didn’t feel dead. It felt forgotten. A city built with so much ambition, but left behind.”
He also explained practical details for visitors. Most of Lavasa is open for driving or riding, but vehicles are not allowed near the lakes. Entry fees are charged: cars pay ₹500 and bikes ₹200.
Several Reddit users shared their perspectives after reading the post. One user expressed that Lavasa had a “creepy vibe” and that the atmosphere didn’t feel positive. According to them, while exploring the city, it felt as if they were navigating through a video game character in a deserted town.
Another visitor chimed in, asking that the city remain underrated, writing simply, “Bro, let it be underrated, please.”
A nostalgic commenter recalled a visit in 2010, mentioning that they were stopped at the city gates because their group had no booking or property in Lavasa. They noted that security was strict even back then, forcing them to turn back without actually entering the town.
One user shared an investment perspective, saying that a school friend had bought a villa in Lavasa around 2012. Today, the property had little resale value due to the city remaining largely abandoned. They added that the university inside Lavasa offers a small opportunity for renting properties to students, but overall, investing there was not worthwhile at the moment.
Another person described the town as “like a ghost city,” noting that apart from eating, there wasn’t much to do. They did mention that visiting the helipad offered beautiful views and a rare sense of enjoyment in the otherwise silent city.
