While Matheran owes its discovery to Hugh Poyntz Malet, who chanced upon this little paradise in 1850, Lord Elphinstone developed it as a hill station. It soon became a popular hill station during the Raj. The Mahatma Gandhi Road (MG Road) is the town's main artery and has a few tourist information booths. Basically, the civic buildings are in the town center and bungalows spread over the undulating hill top where Matheran is laid out upon along a north -south ridge.
Once here, apart from just soaking up the purity of the place, you can enjoy a number of walking tracks and the breathtaking views that Matheran provides. There are several vantage points in Matheran, which would form the mainstay for any visit here. You can move around on hand -pulled rickshaws or on a pony or the best option, your feet.
A photographer's delight, it is a place where you can walk in any direction and you are sure to find picturesque views.
The numerous 'points', Porcupine , Monkey and Hart Point, on the north-west of the hill, offer stunning views of the valley below. One can see as far as the horizon, so much so, that you can see the mesmerizing lights of Mumbai on a clear night. Porcupine is also a good point for viewing the sunset but Panaroma Point at the extreme north, is famed for the finest views. The western side of the hill, from Porcupine to Louisa Point is known as Cathedral Rocks , and Neral can be seen far below from here. Towards the south, near One Tree Hill , a trail down to the valley below is known as Shivaji's Ladder , so called because the Maratha leader is said to have used it.
A must see is the Charlotte Lake surrounded by the forest with a dam at one end and the Pisharnath Temple at the other edge. If you enjoy trekking, climb up to Mount Barry , the highest spot in Matheran that offers splendid views. A must visit point during monsoons, is the King George Point , which offers a beautiful view of the waterfall formed by the overflowing Charlotte Lake. Take due care if you decide to go to the mouth of the waterfall because the strong wind prevents the water from falling down and throws it back. The other places worth a visit are the Alexander Point and Rambagh Point , which offers views of Khandala and Karjat.
