A Serene Hill Station: Train track in a foggy jungle With the backdrop of plush green Sahyadri hills, Matheran hill station is one of the most scenic and serene hill stations near Mumbai. It overjoys travellers with unpolluted and refreshing environment. This is the only eco-friendly hill station in Maharashtra, certified by Ministry of Environment and Forests and the only automobile-free hill station in India.

Matheran is an automobile-free hill station and a municipal council in the Karjat taluka of the Raigad district located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Matheran is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and one of the smallest hill stations in India. It is located in the Western Ghats, at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is about 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. This proximity to these urban areas makes it a weekend getaway for many. Matheran, which means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains) in Marathi, is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It is Asia's only automobile-free hill station.

How to reach: The closest airport is at Mumbai, whereas Neral, 20 kms from Matheran is the nearest railway station. Buses ply from Mumbai and Pune up to Neral, and from there one can reach the destination by the toy train.

Ideal Duration: 3 to 4 days

Things to do: Visit One Tree Hill Point, Echo Point, Alexander Point, and Prabal Fort. Go for trekking, valley crossing, and nature walking.

Places To Stay: SaffronStays Parsi Manor, Mauli Niwas, Adamo The Village, Born4tours Lakeview homestay, Shri Sadan Cottage

Places To Visit: Echo Point, Louisa Point, Panorama Point

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year