Take a weekend off and head to these hill stations around Mumbai to enjoy the nippy weather to the hilt.
Bhandardara: Imagine lush green hills, brisk waterfalls and serene lakes. You get it all and more at this quiet hill station, tucked away within nature’s lap. Climb up to see the Ratangad and Harishchandragad fort, follow the trails that lead to Ajoba and Ghanchakkar peaks, or try conquer the highest peak in Maharashtra, Mount Kalsubai (1646 m). And once at the summit, don’t miss out on the panoramic view of the Sahyadris.
Bhandardara is 185 kms from Mumbai and is easily accessible by road. The nearest railway station is Igatpuri, where you could board a state transport bus or take auto rickshaws to reach your resort.
Jawhar: Known as ‘Mahabaleshwar of Thane district’, Jawhar is famous for its rich cultural heritage. Home to the Warli tribes, one of the tribal kingdoms in Maharashtra, Jawhar remains untouched by modern concretisation. Visit Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas, the palace of the tribal kings, the Hanuman and Sunset Points and the Shirpamal, where Shivaji chose to camp on his way to Surat. You could drive down or take state transport buses.
Matheran: Hop onto a toy train and enjoy the stunning hilly view. There’s not much to do in this quiet, car-free hill station other than just lazing around, taking early morning walks or riding a horse for fun. Visit Hart Point after dark, to get a breathtaking glimpse of the lights of a buzzing Mumbai. Remnants of the old world charm of the British and Parsi homes abound all the way up to the Charlotte Lake. The bazaars here have on offer leather articles, hats, chappals and chikki! Take state transport buses that ply from Mumbai and Pune to Neral for a toy train ride to this sleepy town on hill top.
Panchgani: What better than sitting relaxed, enjoying a glass of strawberry slush, taking in the foggy prettiness of Panchgani, known for its raspberry and strawberry farms! For a picturesque setting, visit Table Land, a flat large expanse of laterite rock that is also the second longest mountain plateau in Asia. Caves including the Devil’s Kitchen are visible from here. A must-visit is Sydney Point, situated on a hillock facing the Krishna Valley. Don’t forget to take a trip to Mapro Garden for filling your goodie bags with jams, jellies, syrups and squashes!
Chikhaldara hills: There is much more to this place than just the breathtakingly beautiful hills. The name itself holds a rich heritage that dates back to the Mahabharata. This is the place where Bheema, one of the Pandavas, killed the villainous Keechaka and it hence came to be known as Keechakadara, which of course, over the years has transpired and been colloquialised into Chikaldara — making it more befitting in the local lingo.
toranmal: This marvel of a place is sure to get you high. Literally!
Tucked away in the Satpuda Mountains at an altitude of 1461 m, Toranmal is one of the most peaceful places on earth. And when you are tired of plain lazing, you could visit the beautiful Yashwant Lake, Seetha Khali, or any of the charming temples of olden days.
khandala, lonavala: Just three hours away from the chaotic city, Khandala and Lonavala come in as the most convenient and closest weekend getaways for Mumbaikars. Well known for their scrumptious and countless varities of chikki, both Khandala and Lonavala also hold some beautiful must-see sights. The sporty ones can indulge in trekking and other adventure sports.
— Compiled by Jayeeta Mazumder and Shreya Badola
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