Neral, a town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, is well-connected to Panvel, Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. Communities like Agri, Kumbhar, Brhamin, and Muslim are settled here because this place was a key route to Matheran and Vikatgad, essential for the Maratha Empire, Mughal Empire, and East India Company. Its proximity to Matheran, natural beauty, historic appeal, adventure activities, and the potential for weekend homes make it an ideal choice for your next weekend getaway. Here are 5 reasons to choose Neral for your next trip.
Neral is the gateway to Matheran, a hill station known for its scenic views and calm atmosphere. You can easily reach Matheran from Neral for a nature-filled experience.
It has a historical appeal with colonial-era buildings and streets that take you back in time.
The town is surrounded by hills and waterfalls, making it ideal for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It offers activities like trekking and birdwatching.
Neral offers adventure activities such as horseback riding, trekking, and paragliding due to its hilly terrain and lush landscapes.
It is becoming a popular destination for weekend homes. Owning a holiday home here provides a peaceful retreat and the potential for rental income through homestays or short-term rentals.
It is the most distant viewpoint in Matheran, around 7.5 km from the marketplace. Using a horse or taking a toy train from the market to the next station is feasible. The horse ride takes 45-60 minutes from your hotel to this spot. The path can be rough and uncomfortable for your back, but it's a noteworthy journey. You travel through the forest, hearing birds, feeling the breeze, and listening to horses' hooves, with occasional views of different landscapes.
One Tree Hill Point is roughly 4 km from the marketplace and takes about an hour to walk. It is named One Tree Hill Point because there is a single tree at the top of the peak, and there is no vegetation except grass. The view from this peak allows you to see Karjat, the Mumbai-Pune highway, Panvel city, Chowk village, and several other vantage points of Matheran. This place is the most appealing during the monsoon season.
It is approximately 2.7 km from the marketplace, a 40-minute walk. Many people consider it essential to visit this vantage point when in Matheran. The view from this peak is impressive as it provides a view of the lake, waterfalls, and a large valley surrounded by three hills. Nature lovers can sit here for a while.
Alexander Point is approximately 1.5 km from the marketplace, which is about a 20-minute walk. You can view other points in the region and the valley below from this peak. It's similar to Sunrise Point (Khandala Point) but has more space. It's often crowded because it's close to the toy train station. During the peak season, you can also try the zip-lining option to Rambaug Point here.
You have a few transportation options to reach Neral in Raigad. If you're travelling from Mumbai, the most convenient method is to take a suburban train from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) or Dadar station to Neral. Alternatively, you can also drive to Neral from Mumbai, which is approximately 75 kilometres away, and the route includes the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. If you're flying into Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is the nearest major airport, and from there, you can hire a taxi or take a train to Neral.