Matheran Nearest Hill Station from Mumbai

Good day to all, We from Phila Tours & Travels are back again with one of the small and unique hill station nearest to Mumbai, just about 85 kms away and at the height of 800 meters from sea level. This place gives you everything, local delicacies and specialties, joy to kids and elders alike, escape from the fast life of cities, peace and tranquility of mind and body.

Yes we are talking about Matheran:

An eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. It is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed, which makes the place different from others. Matheran takes you over a hundred years back in time when there were no vehicles. Discovered by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then district collector of Thane in May 1850. Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of Bombay laid the foundations of the development as a future hill station.

How to reach:

One of the way to reach there would be by your own private vehicle till the entry point of Matheran which is Dasturi point, from there onwards no machine run vehicles are allowed inside and this is the first and foremost reason for Matheran being so Green, and absolutely Pollution free hill station. From the Dasturi point after leaving your vehicle in parking, have an option of either taking a horse ride or manually pulled 2 seaters Rikshaw or a healthy walk to the center of the hill station, which is Market area or your reserved hotel whichever is preferred. Coolies and Porters are available to carry your luggage till your destination point.

Another way is to reach by broad gauge train to the Station Neral and then take a meter gauge train (called Mini train or toy train) till Matheran Station, distance of about 21 kms. This Matheran Hill Railway was built in 1907 by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy and is one of the four historic toy train service still operated in India. Our suggestion is to take a proper time table before leaving from home for Neral station reaching and train departure time from Neral to Mathern and from Matheran to Neral  Its always advantageous to take train as the route is longer compared to road journey, much more scenic views are located and you reach straight to the matheran station, which has market area of 2 minutes and the center of hill station. Though, during the Monsoon time, considering possibilities of landslides, this train service is not operative.

Once in Matheran, the difference will be very much eye catching as Matheran weighs favor due to some of the reasons being, climate is cool and pleasant with a beautiful lake & many points worth a visit, No pollution of machine vehicles, Greenery is so eye catching, fresh air and worth a long walk of this Hill Station, fulfill your wish of Horse riding, as this hill station has a Race course (no, its not commercially maintained), take a break in the lavish green parks or enjoy one of those beautiful view from the ‘points’ and forget the worries. 

Here in Matheran, once settled down, enjoy the walk or riding horse, shopping for local items like leather products, small purses, gloves, Kolhapuri  footwear, hats etc. or go for sweets called Chikki, jelly sweets and water soluble squash and syrups of various different fruit tastes or Honey, or simply stroll in the market to see the local varieties of products being sold in cheap costs, or just relax and get your exertion of city life out of your mind and body, and intoxicate yourself and keep next two days to explore the various view points and temples, lake etc. Some of the points are mentioned below:

View from Panorama Point

Madhavji Garden and Point

View from Alexander Point

Let's start the day with the Sun rise view from the PANORAMA POINT Panorama Point is the most popular location in Matheran which offers majestic view of sunrise. The location is the longest spacious place on the mount peak. Best place for picnic. The cool and calm ambiance makes this place a most visited location in Matheran. Once back after viewing the sunrise, return to your hotel, freshen up and have breakfast and off we go again go out for visiting at few more points, starting with Madhavji Garden & Point, which is just next to the railways station of Matheran, peaceful place to sit around and go further inside the garden to have a lovely view of the valley. From here, let's walk towards Alexander Point, one of the great scenic locations on the side of Madhavji Road. On the backdrop of Jungle Greenness, the point offers grandeur picturesque view of Palasdari Lake, down hill village of Borgaon. The view of the deep valley down

from this point offers a breathtaking experience for any tourist. Soft cool breeze and serene environment add charm of this place. After enjoying the view and taking pictures, move onward.
Your next view point is Rambaug Point, One can get clear and majestic view of Karjat and Khandala town from this point. Rambaug point offers the great relaxing location for the mind and body to any of its visitors.
Further to Rambaug Point is Little Chowk Point and Chowk Point, the southern most point in Matheran is Chowk point which offers the view of beautiful Sahyadri ranges, Panvel Town, Karnala Vishalgarh and Prabal Fort.

One Tree Hill Point

 View from Chowk Point

View from Rambaug Point

Your next stop will be bit further to the marvelous view of One Tree Hill, that's the view point, One Tree Hill Point. hill spot with a single tree perched at the top.

View from Belvrede Point

Next point to view is lesser known Belvedere Point, which is an hour long trek from the main town and few minutes from One tree Hill, it opens out onto a flat expanse of rock at the edge of a sheer cliff. Magnificent view of Ulhas River below, neighbouring Sahyadri peaks and valley.

Charlotte Lake

The Charlotte Lake, is one of the most picturesque spots in Matheran. With the dam built on it, this lake is the only source of drinking water for Matheran hill station. Set in the middle of a densely forested area, also has other end situated to this lake is an ancient Pisarnath temple, the temple devoted to Lord Shiva. The two picnic spots Louisa point and Echo point are located near by. another point near by is Cecil Point, which is very beautiful to visit during the monsoon, from this point, one can see waterfall, of rain gather water falling way down below in the valley, a breath taking view, though possible only during the monsoon but worth watching. At the center of the hill, at the flat bed, its Olympia Race Course, which is still being enjoyed for a horse ride by the tourist, though its not a professionally maintained, still if you love horse riding, must not miss a chance to be here.

View from Cecil Point

View from Echo Point

And you have been spending a lot of time walking around, then let us end the day with a splendid view of sun set from the Porcupine Point. so, now, let's move to Porcupine (Sunset) Point and enjoy the view of setting sun down in the valley. Porcupine Point the name originated from the bird Porcupine as this place has the shape resembling Porcupine bird. This spot offers the ideal view of sunset and also gives the majestic view of distant Prabal fort. The location has scenic surrounding and dense and thick forest. The calm and cool atmosphere makes any visitor filled with a pleasant feeling.

View of Sunset from porcupine Point

Hope you have enjoyed the virtual visit to Matheran, we have not explained all teh point worth visiting there, in total some say there are 38 point, local people will give you idea about 28-30 points at Matheran, but we have tried to give you a general idea of few points and how scenic this place is....
for any more information on different places and for managing your holidays, do not hesitate to contact us. With more cities and their information of places to visit, things to enjoy, we will come again soon with new blog. till than have a peaceful and pleasant time.