Distance: 83 kms via Sion-Panvel Expy
Matheran is a celebrated hill station and a great weekend place near Mumbai. It is situated in the Karjat tehsil of Maharashtra and is also the smallest hill station of India. Situated in the lush green Western Ghats, the elevation of the region is around 80 m above sea level, at a distance of 90 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune.
The name of the place means ‘forest on the forehead.’ Matheran has been declared as an eco-sensitive region by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and is Asia’s only automobile free hill station.
There are several viewpoints in this dream-like place and the most visited among them is the Panorama Point which provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and the Neral town. Amazing views of sun set and sun rise can also be enjoyed from here. Another point called the Louisa Point offers a stunning view of the Prabal Fort. The other important points include the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh point etc
Matheran is an eco-sensitive region and the only automobile allowed in the region is an ambulance owned and operated by the Municipality. No private vehicles are allowed in here and the main modes of transportation are horses and hand pulled rickshaws. Matheran is a treasure trove of medicinal plants and herbs. It also has a huge population of monkeys including Bonnet macaques and Hanuman langurs.
Vikatgad Peb Fort is located on the Matheran Hill Range, about 2,100 feet above sea level. It is a popular trekking spot for those seeking an adventurous trail. It is continuous to other forts of the Matheran Hill Range along with Malang Gad, Tauli Hill, and Chanderi Fort.
Being close to the major cities of Pune and Mumbai, with a well-connected railway system, attracts trekkers from both the cities, mostly on weekends. Not much is known about the fort, and most of it is in ruins due to a supposed battle that took place in the 19th century.
However, it was a storage for food grains and ammunition and was also visited by the British Captain Dickinson in 1818. The two entrances to the fort are in ruins. There are still traces of the idols of Lord Hanuman within its periphery. The approximate time required to visit all the palaces in the fort is 1 hour.