5 Amazing Hill Stations Around Mumbai

Mumbai is an eccentric destination for all kinds of travelers. One of the old trade-flourishing destinations, this was built out of seven islands and were initially inhabited by tribes who depended on fishing. Later, the islands were combined together and it became a major port. Today, starting from motion pictures to modern souvenirs, this land is the center for everything. Mumbai is the right place to enjoy a top-notch metro vacation.

Are you planning to visit Mumbai during your next vacation? Here are the top suggested tour packages.

1. 6 days – Mumbai and Ajanta Ellora tour
2. 2 nights 3 days – Mumbai tour package
3. One day – Mumbai city sightseeing tour

What about some natural beauty? Well, there are a few destinations in Mumbai to relish the nature. However, nothing can beat a hill station in that genre. Are you willing to explore some of the hill stations near Mumbai?

Khandala, Mumbai

Khandala is a popular trekking and hiking destination for those who are in Mumbai and Pune. Located on the Sahyadri hill terrain, this hill station is very famous for Rajmachi fort, built in 17^th century by Shivaji.

This weekend getaway is located at a short elevation of 550m above sea level. Thus, it is an easy outdoor destination for even sedentary travelers. Top spots to visit in this hill station are Tiger’s Leap, Ancient Jail, Amrutanjan Point, Bhushi Lake, Bhaja Caves and others.

How to reach from Mumbai?

Located 82 km away from Mumbai, it would take two hours to reach via Bengaluru Mumbai highway. If you are flying from any other destination in India, the closest airport is located in Pune. It is 58 km away from the destination. The nearest railway station and bus stand are located in the hill station and you can find frequent trains and buses from and to the hill station from Mumbai. Cabs are also available from in and around Mumbai.

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Top activities to enjoy

1. Explore the Lohagad Fort and Rajmachi Fort via trekking.
2. Enjoy Kune waterfalls and trek through the forest, if desired.
3. Visit the ancient Shingroba temple to pray to Lord Shiva.
4. Bhushi lake is very famous for boating and picnic.
5. Hike up to Tiger’s Leap to enjoy a panoramic view, echo point and others. If you visit during monsoon season, you can spot a small waterfall to enjoy bathing and picnic.
6. Caving at Bhaja cave and Karla cave.

Best time to visit

Monsoon and winter are the best time to visit the hill station in Mumbai. The hill station is quite beautiful during monsoon. If you are looking for honeymoon destination, visit between July and March. If you are looking for more adventure activities, skip the monsoon and visit between November and March. 

Read also: 10 Places to Visit in India for Your Honeymoon

Lonavala, Mumbai

Perching at just 642 m above mean sea level, this was a strategic location of Mughals. Thanks to this, you can find many medieval structures in this hill station, which belongs to Peshwa and Maratha empires. In 19^th century, British converted this region into a lavishing hill station. Top attractions to enjoy here are Valvan dam, Rajmachi point, wax museum, Reywood Park and others.

How to reach from Mumbai?

84 km away from Mumbai, You can easily find local trains, buses and cabs from many parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai. If choosing cabs, drive along the Mumbai Chennai highway to reach the hill station. If you are visiting Khandala, it is easier to cover Lonavala too, as they are twin hill stations. The nearest airport is located in Pune.

Top activities to enjoy

1. Exploring ancient forts and caves.
2. Cover valleys via trekking and hiking.
3. Visit the Reywood Park to spot many unique trees.
4. Visit Valvan dam for a picnic evening.
5. Closer to Lonavala hill station, Della Adventure Park is located for some adrenaline time.
6. Enjoy street food of the land near Lonavala Lake.

Best time to visit

Best time to visit is during monsoon season (July to October). Winter is also a tourism season in this hill station. Winter starts in November and ends in March.

Read more: 10+ Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India

Matheran, Mumbai

Matheran is a picturesque hill town of Maharashtra, located on the Western Ghats. This hill station is completely deprived of automobiles (only such hill station in the entire continent). Thus, trekking is an important and very essential activity in Matheran. The British built many exclusive resorts and buildings in the past, which serve as hotels today. Top destinations to cover in this town are Porcupine point, Alexander point, Celia point, Mahadev Mandir, Olympia race course, Charlotte Lake and others.

How to reach from Mumbai?

Located 83 km away from Mumbai, you can find cabs and buses to reach the end of the hill station. Once inside the hill station, you ought to cover the region on horses, hand-pulled rickshaws and others. The nearest railway station is located in Neral. The nearest airport is located in Mumbai, which is around 100 km away from the hill station. You can find direct trains from Mumbai to Neral, every day. Some prefer reaching Dodhani and trekking to Matheran from Dodhani (15 km).

Top activities to enjoy

1. Enjoy waterfall rappelling on Dodhani waterfalls.
2. Trek to Chanderi caves for exploration, picnic and viewpoints.
3. Enjoy boating and birdwatching on Charlotte Lake.
4. There are numerous viewpoints for enjoying a panoramic view.
5. Visit Ambernath Shiva temple to pay tribute and to enjoy the architectural beauty of the ancient temple.
6. Enjoy rock climbing at many destinations.
7. Do not miss sunrise or sunset from any viewpoint.

Best time to visit

Best time to visit is during famous monsoon season, which starts in July and ends in October.

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Karjat, Mumbai

This small hill town is located on the Sahayadri ranges, along the Konkan shoreline. Thus, the beauty element of this region is mind-blowing. This is an important tourist destination for adventure lovers. Apart from this, Karjat is also famous among nature lovers. Top destinations to visit in Karjat are Ulhas valley, Peth Fort, Bhor Ghat, Kondana caves and others.

How to reach from Mumbai?

Located 62.2 km away from Mumbai, it would take around 2 hours to reach from Mumbai, via road. Karjat holds a local railway station, which receives daily trains from Mumbai. It would take 20 minutes to reach the hill station in a train. The nearest airport is located in Mumbai, 66 km away. From the airport, you can find numerous buses and cabs to reach the hill station, directly.

Top activities to enjoy

1. The town is famous for many adventure activities like hiking, trekking, river rafting, rock climbing and others.
2. Enjoy a few water sports on Ulhas River
3. If you are up for some daring time, explore Kondana caves to enjoy sculptures, stupas and others of ancient time.
4. Visit Phansad wildlife sanctuary

Do you love wildlife attractions? Mumbai hill stations are not the only destinations with wildlife wealth. Choose our exclusive wildlife packages like: 

1. 13 days – Wildlife tours (Rajasthan Special)
2. 6 days – Kerala tour (wildlife experience)
3. 15 days – North East Wildlife tour package

Best time to visit

Monsoon is the right time to visit if you want to enjoy all the adventure activities. Winter is also a peak tourism season here. Best time to visit is from July to March.

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Igatpuri, Mumbai

This rejuvenating hill station is famous for its meditation centers. Do not assume this as a center for sages and saints. You can enjoy many adventure activities too. The regions in and around Igatpuri are famous for serene beauty. Top destinations to cover in Igatpuri are Dhammagiri meditational center, Tringalwadi fort, Bhatsa river valley, Ghatandevi temple, Amruteshwar temple, Camel valley and others.

How to reach from Mumbai?

Located around 120 km away from Mumbai, it would take more than 2.5 hours to reach the hill station from Mumbai. You can find frequent buses, cabs and trains from Mumbai to reach Igatpuri. The nearest airport to the hill station is located inside Mumbai.

Top activities to enjoy

1. Pay tribute to Ghatadevi temple, Shirdi Sai Baba temple and other pilgrimage sites in the hill station.
2. You can find many waterfalls during monsoon season. Enjoy picnic and water activities in the waterfalls.
3. Visit Arthur Lake, Camel Valley and other destinations for photography sessions.
4. Trek to Tringalwdi fort.
5. Meditate in Vipassana center or other meditation centers.

Best time to visit

The waterfalls and water bodies will be at prime beauty during monsoon season, July to October. The hill station will remain serene until March.

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Other notable hill stations around Mumbai

Given Mumbai’s hot climate even during monsoon season (source), it is best to choose hill stations to chill off. Here are some of the hill stations, a little far away from Mumbai.

1. Amboli – 491 km away – Famous for viewpoints, rich flora, waterfalls and adventure activities
2. Mahabaleshwar – 262 km away – famous for waterfalls, viewpoints, trekking and hiking
3. Panchgani – 244 km away – famous for summer resorts, gardens, viewpoints and others
4. Bhandardara – 165 km away – famous for rivers, lakes, ancient forts, temples, viewpoints and adventure activities
5. Malshej Ghat – 127 km away – famous for waterfalls, animal spotting, dam, adventure activities and others
6. Chikhaldara – 672 km away – famous for coffee plantation, animal spotting, ancient forts, botanical gardens, lakes, dams and others.
7. Toranmal – 459 km away – famous for pilgrimage sites, lakes, sunset point, coffee garden, viewpoints and others.

Are you planning to cover more hill stations of the country? Read also 9 Unbeatable Exotic Indian Hill Stations and get started.

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