One Tree Hill Point, Matheran, Maharashtra India

This trek is one of my most favourite and amongst the best that I’ve cherished and embedded in my memory over the years, reason being fascinating terrain, awesome and exhilarating views en-route, river crossing, rock climbing in some patches, climb through waterfall, walking thru clouds  mist caused due to monsoon wind & rain. Garam Pakodas, Misal-pav and Chai atop the end point, at Matheran serves as a perfect treat later in the afternoon. We enter Matheran through the One Tree Hill Point, and then traverse across Matheran to reach Dastoorie, from where we cab it down to Neral station or trek back the same route back to Karjat station to catch train at start point.  

On the top of the hill can be seen a single tree of Jambhul standing all by itself. This forms the great cynosure for the travelers. Also this is the place to have the great respite from the rat race of daily city life. The ladder that leads to this spot is called as Shiva Ji’s ladder. Descent is hilarious. The discovery of this path is credited to Hugh Poyntz Malet.

With more than eight to ten different routes, Math­­­eran (767m) is the ulti­mate destination for the trekker, naturalist and outdoor enthu­siast. It is literally a forest on top of the hill (mathe means head and raan means forest). The dense forest cover, teeming bird life, long walks and flora and fauna make this an all-time favourite. The best part is that it’s pol­lution-free as no vehicles are allow­ed in the hill station.

Apart from Bhimashankar, Math­eran is the only other place where the giant red squirrel is to be found. It’s also a haven for snakes, from the harmless keelbacks and pythons to the more deadly members of the clan such as cobras, kraits and vipers.