Matheran : A Hill Station Free of Mechanical Vehicles

Amongst the famous places like Khandala and Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar is a hidden gem called Matheran, meaning ‘overhead forest’ in Marathi, which is just 83 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune. This small hill station is situated in the Sayadhri mountain range, 800 m above sea level. Matheran is Asia’s only hill station that is free of mechanical vehicles. 

The calm and relaxed atmosphere of Matheran, free of the pollution of automobiles, makes its environment hospitable all year. However, the best time to go there is monsoon to experience the greenery there.

To reach Matheran, one can take one's car, rent a taxi, or take a train to Neral. If you have your vehicle, there is a parking spot outside Matheran's entrance. Inside the village, you will find horses and hand-pulled rickshaws.

1. Porcupine Point 

The cozy little hill station has a lot of scenery and sights to visit. Unlike its name, the Porcupine Point isn’t spikey at all but is a famous spot for very warm and soft sunsets and sunrises. Its lush green environment and hilly road make it a potential trekking pathway. It is open to the public 24/7, so one can go whenever they want.

2. Lake Charlotte

Lake Charlotte supplies water to the village, and during monsoon, the water in the dam generally overflows, making it a tourist attraction. The timings for the lake are 5 am to 6 pm, making it a perfect spot for picnics with a sunset or a sunrise.

3. Louisa Point

This point is 4.5 km from the market, with an isolated rock on the top, giving a fantastic view of the range. The trail is a little rocky and muddy, so a horse ride is preferred, but one can also walk there as it comes along the route of Lake Charlotte. There are various tea and Maggie stalls along the way, so one can enjoy the walk or ride there with a hot tea or a plate of Maggie because there’s nothing like a hot Maggie on a hill station.

4. Monkey Point

Do you love monkeys a lot? Then, the Monkey Point stands right by its name. The point gives a magnificent view of the mountains of the western ghats. You have to be a little careful with the gangs of playful monkeys who might want to pull soda out of your hands and eat the food you are eating. You should be cautious of your phones and cameras, as some of them love getting themselves clicked. The monkey point serves as an echo experience and a picnic point with your family.

Although Matheran is pleasant throughout the year, the best time to visit it is from July to November, when small waterfalls stream down the cliffs, and a humid yet cool atmosphere welcomes you.

One of the major attractions was its Toy Train, which were working till 2019, but later in 2020, those trains went out of service. The train is still on track, can be visited by tourists, and is a good spot for taking pictures.

All in all, Matheran is the perfect weekend getaway with great places to stay and good food for anyone tired of living in the concrete jungle and who wants to reconnect with nature and themselves. 

For more details, visit https://invinciblengo.org/events/marvelous-mathera