5 of the Best Hill Stations Near Mumbai

5 of the best Hill Stations Near Mumbai

This is a Guest Post from Rohit Agarwal from India. Rohit is a keen globe-trekker and blogger at Transindiatravels.com and loves documenting about his many travels and seeks adventure in every opportunity life gives him.

Traveling in India can be hot work but there is a respite to the heat – hill stations! Hill stations refer to towns and settlements at the lower regions of hilly areas, due to this they usually benefit from a cooler, refreshing climate and can be great places to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily Indian life.

Mumbai, the capital of the western coastal state Maharashtra, is India’s most populated city and is also the nation’s economic capital. True to your imagination and expectations, Mumbai varies from unassuming communities to luxurious residents. Lying just a little off the mainland, Mumbai holds a surprisingly varying topography. Thus, it may come as a surprise to learn about the many hill stations that lie in Mumbai’s vicinity.

If you need an escape from the hectic heat of Mumbai then there can be no better escape than to head to a hill station to rejuvenate the tired body, stressed mind and overwhelmed soul.

Try one of these Top 5 Hill Stations near Mumbai.

Listed below are the most chased-after foothill destinations near Mumbai. Be prepared to excitedly pack your bags for a much-deserved weekend holiday!

1. Khandala (82 km from Mumbai)

Photo by Sarath Kuchi, CC BY-SA 2.0

This destination has been made unendingly famous by the hit number “Aati kya Khandala?”(which means – “Will you visit Khandala with me?” in Hindi) from the bollywood movie starring Indian celebs Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerjee. Khandala has no shortage of sights and excitement. Grab your tired and weary self and embark on a feel-good trekking trip. A striking valley of waterfalls, you can even bike around to the farther destinations. Karla and Bhaja caves, Tiger’s Leap and Duke’s Nose are only a handful, of the many attractions here.

2. Bhandardara (165 km from Mumbai)

Photo by Elroy Serrao, CC BY-SA 2.0

Rarely do you come across a destination as modest as the appealing Bhandardara. It comes to its best during the monsoon as it fills up the many watery beauties- waterfalls, rivers and lakes. Bhandardara is very popular with tourists and attracts many travelers seeking refuge from the grinding grip of monotonous routines. Nestled in the Sahyadri hills, this is a bonus for the nature lover as Bhandardara is filled with corners to explore and peek through. Agasti Rishi Ashram, Wilson Dam, Mount Kalsubai and Arthur Lake are just a handful of the attractions.

3. Panchgani (244 km from Mumbai)

Photo by Balaji Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0

Named for the five (“panch”) hills that surround it, Panchgani is another excellent choice of retreat. Sitting cozily at 1,293 m, it used to be a favorite retiring place of the British due to its perpetually cool weather. The British introduced many exotic flora which gives Panchgani a unique twist of vegetation not found elsewhere in India. Table Land, a flat mountain top, features a wonderful view of the coastal plains. Sights to behold include the Purvicha Vas, Nagatra Falls and Mahadevgad point.

4. Amboli (approximately 491 km)

Photo by Elroy Serrao, CC BY-SA 2.0

At an elevation of 690 m and mostly untouched, Amboli is the perfect destination for a quiet and serenely undisturbed trip. Accommodation is good and is approachable both from Mumbai (549 km) and Pune (390 km). You can feel safely encased in this calm alcove and meditate or walk your stresses away. The foliage of the Western Ghats with beautifully canopied trees makes for restful holidays.

5. Chikhaldara (672 km from Mumbai)

Photo by Hrishikesh Mahajan, CC BY 2.0

Featured prominently in the legendary Mahabharata, Chikhaldara is where the Pandava brother, Bheema killed the treacherous Keechaka. Rested atop 1,188 m, this hill resort is rich in wildlife and botanical treasures. It also houses old forts including the Narnala fort and Gavilgad fort. Chikhaldara is famous for being the only hill station in the Vidharba region. There is no dearth of adventure in this coffee-growing corner and glimpses of wild animals like sloths, wild dogs and tigers.

More Meek Getaways:

Lonavala, Malshej Ghat, Mahabaleshwar, Toranmal and Matheran have plenty to offer too. Whether you travel alone or with companions, hill stations are nature’s way of guaranteed rejuvenation.

Author Bio:

Rohit is a keen globe-trekker and new destinations never cease to fascinate him. He is also a blogger at Transindiatravels.com and loves documenting about his many travels and seeks adventure in every opportunity life gives him.

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