Top 10 Must-Visit Hill stations in Maharashtra

Among the top famous places to visit in Maharashtra, Lonavala trumps every other hill station in the state! Nestled in the heart of the Sahyadri range is the beautiful hill station in Maharashtra. Lonavala is a paradise for all kinds of tourists flocking over to enjoy the cold breeze at the mountain top in Maharashtra. Be it an adventure junkie, a trekker or a honeymooner, you would have a great time exploring the tourist attraction in Maharashtra

Places to stay: Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa, Hotel Ferreira Resort, EKO Stay, Meritas Adore Resort

Things to do: You can explore the Rajmachi Wildlife Sanctuary near Lonavala and check out some of the famous peaks in Maharashtra. You can visit Tiger's Leap and Lion's Peak as well. Of course, Pawana Lake and Bhushi Dam are some of the cool places to visit in Maharashtra.

Undoubtedly a haven for honeymooners in Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is one hill station that you should definitely visit in 2021. The hill station can be reached from Mumbai, Pune and other cities nearby. The gorgeous colonial vibe of the hill station interspersed with the cold breeze of the Sahyadris certainly make it a great place for a vacation. There are many lovely places that you can visit in Mahabaleshwar, and we do recommend that you do. Ideally, three to four days would be a perfect duration for a getaway here.

Places to stay: Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort and Spa, Sagar Villa Panchgani, JK Motels, Gavson Palace

Things to do: Mahabaleshwar is one of the most popular hill stations in Maharashtra which is especially perfect for honeymooners. The spectacular views from the hill station make it one of the cutest romantic rendezvous. You can check into one of their lovely resorts or hotels for a staycation. You can also indulge in mountain biking, horse riding, relish sunrise and sunset at the Wilson Peak, Connaught Peak and more. Of course, do check out Mini Kashmir and Venna Lake while you're here.

The literal translation of Panchgani is 'the land of five hills'. Needless to say, the hill station in Maharashtra is surrounded by hills on all five sides. If you want to witness the enchanting beauty of the lush green Sahyadris, Panchgani is the place for you to visit in Maharashtra. The thick forests make for a great trekking spot for adventure junkies. Plus, there are many waterfalls, fancy hotels and tourist attractions that make the hill station a must-visit in Maharashtra. Plus, it is quite accessible from cities such as Mumbai and Pune.

Places to stay: Hotel Malas, Hotel Valley Nest, Trinity House, Swarnam Villa and Rhythm Villa

Things to do: It would be a crime to visit Panchgani and not dine at Mapro Garden. The place is always swamped with eager tourists wanting to try out the tastiest dishes that the restaurant has to offer. There are many other fun things to do in Maharashtra's coolest tourist destination. These include cycling, hiking at the Rajpuri Caves, sightseeing at Table Land and soaking in the beauty of sunrise and sunset at Sydney Point and Parsi Point.

Another very popular place to visit in Maharashtra is Igatpuri. You can drive down to the quaint little town for a weekend rendezvous. It can be reached from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. The place does come with a great vibe thanks to the sparkling lakes, invigorating valleys, vintage forts and more. It is one of the best hill stations in Maharashtra.

Places to stay: Nature Leap Resort, The Herb Farm, Nature's Dreamland, V2 - Vue' Villa

Things to do: Igatpuri has far too many cool things to do that makes it one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra. You would be amazed to enjoy a slew of activities ranging from trekking to Kalsubai Peak to exploring the Camel Valley as well as the Bhatsa River Valley. You can also opt to go for the famous Dhamma Giri Vipassana. Igatpuri is very famous for being the home to the Vipassana centre. There are water sports and camping expeditions also present in the quaint hamlet.

Situated about 85 km from Kalyan lies the perfect escapade for travel junkies and individuals who heart adventure. The natural green beauty of Malshej Ghat will leave you in a state of trance. There are numerous waterfalls and architectural wonders that make Malshej Ghat such a big deal in the tourism guide of Maharashtra. You should add the place to your travel bucket list when in Maharashtra. The place will not disappoint. Do check out the Malshej Falls and Pimplgaon Joga Dam.

Places to stay: Hotel Swad Nisarg. Jandyal Farm House, Hotel Girija, Saj

Things to do: Many travellers from Mumbai and Pune often take their bikes out to cruise through the Malshej Ghat. Thanks to the enchanting roads that are perfectly lined with trees and greenery, you would certainly have a great time here. The place is also home to some of the oldest temples in Maharashtra, so perhaps you could explore them during your visit. While you're here, a trek to the Ajoba Hill Fort is recommended.

About 66 km from Pune is the lovely little hill station of Khandala. It is known to be a very popular hill station in Maharashtra. When in Khandala, relish the quaint vibe of the valley that encapsulates the pristine beauty of Khandala. The hill station comes with a great deal of perks including being serenaded by trekking trails, hill forts, caves and lush greenery.

Places to stay: Della Resorts, Leela's Cottage, Dukes Retreat, Villa 41

Things to do: Located close to Lonavala is Khandala, a little hamlet in the Sahyadri range that is beautiful and posh. You can visit the Rajmachi Point and Rajmachi Garden from Khandala. You can also visit some of the waterfalls in the area by going on treks. Be it biking or trekking, you would be amazed by the locales of Khandala.

One of the closest hill stations to Mumbai is the lovely Matheran. It is very accessible from Mumbai and is often the most sought-after hill station to visit in Maharashtra for a quick getaway. You do not need to reserve too many days for your staycation in Matheran as it is quite close to the city. The hill station is known for being a very eco-friendly place and has also received a certificate by the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the same.

Places to stay: Adamo The Village, SaffronStays Parsi Manor, Shri Sadan Cottage

Things to do: As one of the famous hill stations in Maharashtra, there are many cool things to do in Matheran. You can check out some of the places such as the Panorama Point, Echo Point and Louisa Point. You can also trek up to Prabal Fort and opt for nature walking with your beau. You can also cross to the other side of Matheran to trek up to One Tree Hill.

Undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Maharashtra, Amboli is a lovely place that should be on your list. It is a great hill station that promises to offer very soothing and pleasant weather. As the last hill station in Maharashtra, towards the border of Goa, Amboli does have all the romantic vibes to excite your senses. You can take your bae to the hill station and be enchanted by the beauty and serenity of the valleys.

Places to stay: Vamoose Sailee, Amboli Hill Resort, Garawa Resort, Dark Forest Retreat

Things to do: The perks of travelling through all the hill stations in Maharashtra is that you get to trek most of them. Amboli is also one such hill station in Maharashtra, which is known to be the perfect honeymoon destination for couples. You do not need to take a long break to visit the Himalayas when the Sahyadris can give you the chilly vibe. You can visit the Amboli Falls, catch a view of the sunset at the Amboli Sunset Point and also see what the valley looks like from Shirgaonkar Point.

If you are staying in Igatpuri, you should explore the neighbourhood too and visit a rather offbeat hill station in Maharashtra, Jawhar. It might not be as popular as Lonavala or Mahabaleshwar, but it is adorned with exquisite waterfalls and valleys. You would be mesmerised with the tribal art and Warli paintings that give Jawhar its fame. There are many architectural marvels such as the Shipramal and Jai Villas Palace, that you can visit as you stay here.

Places to stay: Hotel Valleywood, Dabhosa Waterfall Resort, Serene Nook Villa, Sajan Nature Club

Things to do: Some of the tourist attractions of Jawhar include visiting the Kalmandavi Waterfalls, the Jai Sagar Dam and the Jawhar Fort. Unlike most of the hill stations in Maharashtra, Jawhar sets itself apart with an interesting appeal that includes forts, dams and waterfalls. You can catch the sunset at the sunset point and relish lovely Maharashtrian food.

As one of the closest hill stations to Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra, Rajmachi always sees a throng of trekking enthusiasts during monsoon and winters. It is easily one of the best hill stations to visit for a weekend getaway in Maharashtra. From Rajmachi, you can further explore many terrains and hill stations such as Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala, Panchgani and more. You should certainly trek up to Rajmachi Fort for an experience of the Sahyadris!

Places to stay: Lotus Lodging, Sapphire Premium Hotel and Suite, The Fern Residency Karad, Matoshree Apartments

Things to do: It is recommended that you visit Rajmachi from June to September. The ambience of the valleys in Rajmachi is perfect for a monsoon trek. Many of the travellers who visit Rajmachi usually travel during monsoon to soak in the beauty of the place. The greenery turns a shade greener in the rainy season. While you do pack your trekking bag for a trip to Rajmachi, perhaps you can even camp at the summit of the hill. The quaint little village certainly has a very lovely vibe to it which continues to attract many tourists.

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