About Matheran hill station history
Matheran hill station is located in Raigad district, Maharashtra. It is 2600 feet above sea level. Matheran hill station is very close to Mumbai city. Matheran was discovered by Hugh Puyntz in the year of 1850. The Britisher developed the Matheran hill station as a popular hill station in the 19th century. The beautiful weather and panoramic view attracted the Britishers to build this.
In the year of 1907, they constructed a narrow gaze line railway to reach Matheran from the Neral and it covers all the western ghat beauty. This journey takes almost 2 hours to reach but it is the most travel route to reach Matheran. This mini-local is also known as the Matheran mini train and it is on a world heritage site.
After the independence, India got control over the Matheran and the government started to popularise Matheran as a tourist destination.
It is Asia’s only hill station where vehicle is not allowed in the Matheran Hill station. Dasturi Naka is the official parking place for the vehicle to park their vehicles and start the journey by walking or on a horse to the Matheran.
Over the years Matheran has evolved as a famous tourist destination near Mumbai and Thane region.
Best Places to Visit in Matheran Hill Station
- Louisa Point
- Charlotte Lake
- Monkey Point
- Shivaji’s Ladder
- Panorama Point
- One Tree Hill Point
- Echo Point
- Neral - Matheran Toy Train
- Sunset Point (Porcupine Point)
- Alexander Point
- Honeymoon Hill Point
- Matheran Market
- Khandala Point
- King George Point
Places to Visit in Matheran Hill Station
1) Louisa Point –
Matheran Railway station is around 2 km away. It will take 20 minutes to reach by walk or you can take a horse to reach there. Here we can see the sky touching mountains and breathtaking views. From here you can see a clear view of Prabal fort. This place is loved by photographers and for photography.
2) Charlotte Lake –
This place is 1.5 km from the market. This Charlotte lake is the main source of conserved water for Matheran. This lake water supplies for Matheran residents and commercial uses. Fishing and swimming are restricted here. The whole lake is surrounded by trees. This place is located before Pisharnath Mahadev Temple and Echo Point. In monsoon season you can find a small waterfall near Charlotte Lake.
3) Monkey Point -
Here you can find lots of monkey species like the monkey and languors. We can spot them easily. But don’t go close to them they can get aggressive anytime. Take care of your belongings they may snatch your stuff from you so maintain your distance from them.
4) Shivaji's Ladder -
This location is about 4 km away from the Matheran Railway station. Shivaji Ladder Point is situated between Matheran Railway Station and One Tree Hill Point. Historians said that Shivaji Maharaj used this way to come to Matheran for hunting as well as to keep an eye on enemies' activities. British queen servant Huge Malet rediscovered this place. Now, this is one of the famous points in Matheran.
5) Panorama Point -
This location is about 7 to 8 km away from the marketplace. Most of the people use horse rides to visit this point. It will take you 40 to 50 minutes to reach there. The view from Panorama Point is unbelievable. Everyone will love this place.
6) One Tree Hill Point -
One Tree Hill Point is 4 km away from the marketplace. If you go visit this place then you will see on the top of the hill there is only one tree growing. Because of that, this location got this name. This trekking is love full but I advise you don’t visit there in the monsoon season.
7) Echo Point -
This location is about 1.5 km away from the market. Before reaching there You will see Charlotte Lake and Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir. Here you can hear your voice because of the echo. Everyone speaks loudly to hear back their words.
8) Neral — Matheran Toy Train -
Most of the people come to Matheran to enjoy the ride on the Mini train. These train services are always full. You will see online tickets are sold as soon as possible when the train timetable is announced. The train starts from the Neral station to Matheran station, and it takes around 2 hours of journey. If you run with the train, you can easily beat the toy train. In a mini-train, there is a total of 4 second-class coaches, 2 First class coaches, 1 parcel van, and 1 guard coach. These train services are closed in the Monsoon season due to landslides.
9) Sunset Point (Porcupine Point) -
Sunset Point is also known as the Porcupine Point. This place is 2 km away from the marketplace it will take 20 to 25 minutes to reach there by walk. From Sunset Point you will see a beautiful sunset. When Sun goes down and hides behind the mountains then you will feel that you have nature’s portrait in front of you.
10) Alexander Point -
Alexander Point is 2 km away from the market, and it will take 15 to 20 minutes to reach there by walk. You should visit this place early morning.
11) Honeymoon Hill Point -
This point will give you a romantic feeling if you come here. From this point, you can see Prabal fort. You see how nature is; everywhere you see the western Ghat mountain range. You should visit this place in the morning.
12) Matheran Market -
This market is very traditional here you can get traditional goods. Local handmade product. Leather clothes, and leather toys at a very reasonable price. You will get Chikki, made of groundnut, dry fruits, and jaggery. Lord point- Lord point gives you a stunning view of nature. Here you can take good pictures from different angles.
13) Khandala Point -
This point is near to the Matheran marketplace. You should visit this point you will see the beautiful sunrise there.
14) King George Point -
This point is 2.5 km from the marketplace. This point is surrounded by three hills. This view is mesmerizing, and lovers will have a good time there.
Where Is Matheran Hill Station
Matheran Hill station is located in the Raigad district and is situated in the Sahyadri Mountain Range. The distance from Mumbai to Matheran hill station is 85 kms and from Pune to Matheran distance is 120 kms. Matheran hill station is Asia's first and only vehicle free hill station.
How to Reach Matheran Hill Station
Mumbai To Matheran Hill Station
There are multiple options to reach Matheran from Mumbai and it also depends on where you are in Mumbai. The Mumbai to Matheran hill station distance is 85 kms from central Mumbai. There are 2 road options if you are coming to Matheran. One is Mumbai-Thane-Kalyan-Ambernath-Matheran and the second is Mumbai-Vashi-Panvel-Karjat-Matheran. If you are travelling local train nearest railway station for Matheran is Neral.
Pune to Matheran Hill Station
Pune to Matheran hill station distance is 120 km and the best route is Pune-Lonavala-Khopoli-Karjat-Matheran. It will take around 3 hours to reach or the nearest railway station is Neral and Karjat. From Karjat Matheran is 23 km and you can find lots of public transport to reach.
Local Train to Matheran Hill Station
The nearest railway station is Neral railway station which is connected to the Mumbai local trains. Take a Karjat or Khopoli train and leave at Neral station.
Neral to Matheran Hill Station
From Neral there are two options available to reach Matheran Hill Station. One is a shared taxi which costs you between 50 to 100 rs per person and the second option is the Neral-Matheran Toy train this option is very famous among tourists. It takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to reach but it covers all the ghats and you will see the beauty of Matheran hill station.
Book these tickets online it's hard to gate tickets offline.
The Best time to visit Matheran Hill Station.
The best time to visit is between July to February. In the monsoon season, you will see lush greenery everywhere and beautiful waterfalls nearby places and in the winter season weather is chill you will not feel hot weather.
The Best Hotel and Resort in Matheran Hill Station
Matheran hill station has lots of options to stay from a resort to a local house stay. The price for a local stay starts from 800 to 1200 per person depends on the property and for resort it also depends on property the price would start from 2000 and above.
How many Days you should stay in Matheran Hill Station
2 days are enough to stay in Matheran or you can plan your journey for a day trip according to your plan.