Matheran, Hill station in Raigad district, India.
Matheran is a hill station in Raigad district, India, located at 800 meters in elevation across forested hills. Walking paths connect more than 30 observation points that offer views of the surrounding landscape.
Hugh Poyntz Malet discovered this location in 1850, leading to its development as a summer retreat during British colonial administration. The narrow-gauge railway from Neral was built later to ease access for travelers.
The name comes from Marathi words meaning forest on the forehead, reflecting the dense vegetation covering the elevated terrain. Visitors move between viewpoints on unpaved paths that wind through trees, allowing direct access to the natural surroundings.
The entire area prohibits motor vehicles, so visitors must walk, use horses, or take hand-pulled rickshaws. Paths are mostly unpaved and run through shaded forest, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The narrow-gauge railway from Neral winds through 20 kilometers of forest, offering views of the Western Ghats. During the journey, the train passes several curves where the locomotive and rear cars are visible at the same time.
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