Matheran is India’s smallest mountain station, but still beautiful, with no vehicles, and the only way to reach them is by taking a short train ride.
It is located on the western Ghats mountain range at an elevation of about 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is about 90 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune. The proximity to many major cities makes Matheran a popular weekend getaway for city dwellers. Matheran, meaning "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains), is an ecologically sensitive region, which has been declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It is the only car-free mountain station in Asia. There are around 38 designated viewpoints in Matheran, including Panorama Point, which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area and the city of Neral. From this point, the view of sunset and sunrise is dramatic. Louisa Point offers crystal-clear views of Prabal Fort. Other points include One Tree Hill Point, Heart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh Point and more. To stay there, there are many hotels. There are many Parsi bungalows. Beautiful old British architecture is preserved in Matheran. The streets are unpaved and are made of red laterite.
