Matheran is one of the few car-free towns in Asia: no motor vehicles go beyond the Dasturi car park. Walk, ride a horse or take a hand-pulled rickshaw between the viewpoints. The Neral-Matheran toy train is a treat when it runs.
Highlights
- The Neral-Matheran toy train
- Panorama Point and Louisa Point
- Charlotte Lake
- Walking the red-earth forest paths
- One Tree Hill at sunset
What to eat
- Chikki and fudge from the bazaar
- Maharashtrian home food at the cottages
Where to stay
Old Parsi bungalows turned hotels, and simple lodges near the market.
Getting there
Neral station is on Mumbai’s suburban line (about 2 hours from CSMT). Take the toy train or a shared taxi to Dasturi, then walk.
Tips
- The toy train often stops running in the monsoon; check before you go.
- Wear proper shoes: the red-earth paths get muddy.
- Day-trippers fill the town on weekends; stay overnight for quiet evenings.
Best time to visit
Oct-May. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Matheran
- Shree Siddhivinayak Lord Ganesha
- Haji Ali Dargah Shrine of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari
- Mount Mary Basilica, Bandra Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount
Places to see in and around Matheran
59 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Elephanta Caves World Heritage Site, 36 km
- Lonavala Hill station, 30 km
- Elephanta Island Island, 35 km
- Matheran Hill station, 1 km
- Karla Caves Caves, 30 km
- Bhimashankar Temple Temple, 30 km
- Bhaja Caves Caves, 36 km
- Lohagad Fort, 37 km
- Kondana Caves Caves, 20 km
- Rajmachi trek Trek, 21 km
- Karnala Fort Fort, 19 km
- Dharana at Shillim Wellness retreat, 30 km
- Belapur Fort Fort, 26 km
- Matheran Hill Railway Museum, 1 km
- Bhor Ghat Mountain pass, 26 km
- Khandala Hill station, 27 km
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 19 km
- Rajmachi Fort Fort, 21 km
- Kune Falls Waterfall, 27 km
- Visapur Fort Fort, 37 km
- Butcher Island Island, 39 km
- Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 34 km
- Prabalgad Fort, 5 km
- Imagicaa Garden, 24 km
And 35 more on our Maharashtra map.
Food to try in and around Matheran
Maharashtra favourites to look out for.
- Vada pav
- Pav bhaji
- Puran poli
- Ukadiche modak
- Sabudana khichdi
- Kanda poha
- Shrikhand
- Sol kadhi
- Kolhapuri sukka mutton
- Pandhra rassa
- Kunthalgiri Khawa GI: sweet
- Mahabaleshwar Strawberry GI: fruit
The full food passport, state by state.
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