Matheran Hill Station

About Matheran Hill Station

Matheran is an idyllic hill station in Maharashtra that is popular for its scenic beauty and laid back pace. If you are looking forward to some peaceful moments travel to Matheran Maharashtra. Time seems stand still in this part of Maharashtra. Hill Resorts in India provides an overview of the beautiful hill station.Amid the green Jambol forest, situated at 803 meters (2,636 ft) above sea level, Matheran is the most splendid hill-station in Maharashtra. It covers an area of 8 square kilometers in Sahyadris. Its pastoral beauty is especially pristine thanks to a blanket motor transport ban.This lovely spot was discovered in 1850 by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the collector of Thane district. He was camping around the village of Chowk, when on hill top he stopped for a drink of water from a spring - which still bears his name.

Matheran is located in the state of Maharashtra and is about 103 kilometres from Mumbai. Matheran’s lush green landscape and verdant hills attract a number of tourists to the quaint hill station every year.

Matheran is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees, that sprawls languidly at an altitude of 800 m. The journey involves an adventurous two hour ascent in a toy train.With food and drink vendors and monkeys jumping on and off, as the valley glides by sedately! Or a tough 11 km. Hike through thick and shady forests.Matheran’s cliffs with incredibly steep drops to the plains below create stunning viewing points. These panoramic vistas, by day and night, leave you feeling light-headed. The Hart Point offers a view of the lights of Mumbai at night!.

Its close proximity to the nearby cities of Mumbai (100 km) and Pune (120 km) makes it a favorite holiday destination among the tourists from all parts of the world. Literally meaning “Mother Forest” or “Forest on Top”, what makes this quaint place unique is that excluding emergency vehicles, all other vehicles are banned here. Within the vicinity of the town, ponies and man-pulled rickshaws are the only modes of transport. Even the cops ride on ponies inside the town. Many people also prefer to travel this distance on foot, enjoying the hill station’s verdure and beauty.

Thus, with its red laterite roads, lush vegetation and country atmosphere, this little hilltop of Matheran emanates a rustic appeal, beguiling everyone who visits the place. Along with its arresting landscape and countryside serenity, Matheran also harbors a lot of colonial architecture and relics that are now preserved as heritage structures. These architectural splendors, along with the pastoral feel of the place, whispers of a bygone era and makes one feel heady and nostalgic to the core.

Interesting things to Visit

**Sharlott Lake :**The main water source of Matheran 1 km from main market.

**Panorama Point :**This is ‘sun-rise’ point. The longest point in Matheran. Almost 6 kms from market. One can see ‘Neral’ on east and ‘Panvel’ on the west of the point. The other points in Matheran like Sunset Point , Monkey Point , Maldunga Point and Heart Point etc. are also to the west. If weather is good, you can see Khandala and Bhimashankar ranges as well. Truly, ‘the king of all points’ is Matheran.

**Sun-set/Porcupine Point :**Famous for Sunset. A deep forest nearby can be easily seen. ‘Prabalgad’ can also be seen from this point. Around 4 kms. from main market.

Echo point
offers a panoramic view and allows you to enjoy the echo’s

King George point
A must visit point in monsoon as it offers a beautiful view of the waterfall formed by the water overflowing from Charlott Lake. One can even reach he mouth of the waterfall with care, strong wind prevents the water from falling down and throws it back.

Charlott Lake
It’s the only water source atop Matheran nad it provides water to entire Matheran.

Louisa Point
It offers a beautiful face on view of the waterfall seen from the King George point.

Panorama point
Although quiet far from Bazapeth it gives you a panoramic view(that’s why it’s named as Panorama point) of the Sahyadri ranges.

The Mall Road
The Mall of Matheran is the favorite destination for tourists extending from one end of the road to the other. The place has many hotels, restaurants and bazaars. The main market (Kapadia Market) in this area offers several items for purchase. One can hire ponies for sightseeing from this point.

Kapadia Market
This is the main market in Matheran. It was built in April 1917 by Mr. P.N.Kapadia in memory of his wife. The market has many interesting shops and offers a variety of attractive items like cane and leather articles, hats, chappals, riding boots and food stuff such as popular sweet chikki made locally.

Nearest Visiting places

• The other famous points in Matheran are Loisa Point , Echo Point , Chowk (One tree Point) , Garbett Point , Eleward Point , Pemastar Park , Navaloji Lord Garden and Cathedral Rock.
• Norama Point
• Hart Point
• Monkey Point
• Porcupine Point
• Coronation Point
• Hanuman temple, at ‘Hashya Cha Patti’
• Prabal Fort
• Echo Point
• Tree Point
• Shivaji’s Ladder
• Chowk Point
• Rambagh

Help Line/Phone Number

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Location info

• Address:70 kilometres from Thane

• District:

• Nearest City: Mumbai

• Best time to visit: October and May

Climate & weather

Temperatures vary from 16°C in winter to 32°C in summer, with an annual rainfall of 524 cms.

History of Matheran Hill Station

Matheran grew more accessible and popular under the patronage of Lord Elphinstone, the Governor of Bombay. He visited Matheran in 1855 and was mesmerized. He chose a beautiful site for a bungalow and named the mansion Elphinstone Lodge. He introduced roadways and, in 1907, opened a mountain railway for the first time. A quaint little train chugs slowly for miles along this track. The toy train journey takes you through spectacular grassy hills sides, plains, sheer cliffs, plateau and thick forest cover.

Things to do at Matheran Hill Station

There are a few wonderful eating joints that serve sumptuous food. Chikki is what dominates the food items in Matheran. It is made of gram flour, jaggery and cashew nut.

How to reach Matheran Hill Station

• Nearest Railway Station:You can take train to Neral from Mumbai and then take the toy train to reach Matheran.

• Nearest Airport:Mumbai International Airport.

• Road Transport:70 kilometres from Thane

Hotels & accommodation nearby

There are a few hotels and lodges in Matheran that provide an ideal base to tour Matheran. MTDC Holiday Resort, Royal Hotel, Rugby Hotel are some hotels that you can opt for when travelling to Matheran.

Things to carry

Carrying water is essential.Carry camera too so that u can take photos of beautiful place.

Best time to visit Matheran Hill Station

Throughout the year. Monsoon (June–September) brings lush greenery. Winter (October–February) offers clear skies and cool weather. Summer (March–May) provides an escape from the plains heat.

Timings & opening hours

Accessible 24 hours. Most viewpoints and attractions are open from sunrise to sunset.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry to the hill station. Specific viewpoints and attractions may have nominal entry fees of INR 10–50.

Duration needed

1–2 days to experience the hill station fully. Day trips are possible for nearby hill stations.

Safety tips

Carry warm clothing even in summer as evenings can be cool. Drive carefully on ghat roads — fog and rain reduce visibility. Stick to marked trails when trekking. Avoid venturing alone into forested areas after dark.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (PNQ) or Mumbai International Airport (BOM). Nearest railway station: Lonavala or Pune Railway Station. Well-connected by road from Mumbai and Pune.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Matheran Hill Station. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Matheran Hill Station? The hill station is pleasant year-round. Monsoon (June–September) brings lush greenery. Winter (October–February) offers clear skies. Summer provides an escape from the plains heat.

How many days are needed? 1–2 days is sufficient for most hill stations. A weekend trip is ideal from Mumbai or Pune.

Are there trekking trails? Yes, most hill stations have designated trekking trails through the surrounding hills and forests. Local guides can be hired for guided treks.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to June for pleasant climate
• Ideal duration: 1-2 days recommended for full experience
• Climate: Pleasant year-round with cool temperatures
• Activities: Trekking, nature walks, sightseeing, and bird watching

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Free entry to the hill station. Point-of-interest attractions may have separate fees.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Matheran Hill Station
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Matheran Hill Station, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Matheran Hill Station

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Matheran Hill Station on popular travel photography sites and social media.