01 June,2025 10:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Akshita Maheshwari
PIC COURTESY/TREKANDTRAILS.ORG
Lush greens, misty trails, and the rhythmic drumming of rain on leaves - the monsoons have a way of making our city bloom. Amongst the infinitely tall skyscrapers and sweeping bridges, one can often forget that Mumbai has a green side too. As tempting as it is to snuggle under a blanket with chai and a book, this week, Sunday Midday lists some classic and newer forest getaways that are worth stepping outside for, this monsoon.
Just an hour's drive from Mumbai, Karnala Fort offers a perfect blend of history and nature. PThis 14th-century hill fort once guarded the Bor Pass, a key trade route between the Konkan coast and the Deccan plateau. The views are breathtaking, and Pandu's Tower, a 125-foot basalt pillar, stands like a silent sentinel of time. During the monsoon, the surrounding Karnala Bird Sanctuary transforms into a lush green haven. Treks and Trails offers a guided trek, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. With over 220 bird species recorded here, it's a paradise for bird and nature lovers.
When: June 8, 2025
Where: Raigad, Maharashtra
Price: Rs 699 - 799
Contact: treksandtrails.org
Modelled after Singapore's Tree Top Walk, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail is like an oasis in the heart of SoBo.
When: 5 am to 9 pm daily
Where: Malabar Hill, Mumbai
Price: Rs 25
Contact: naturetrail.mcgm.gov.in/booking
For something more offbeat, head to the Gorai Mangrove Park with its 740 m elevated walkway. Go at high tide to spot crabs, kingfishers and herons.
Where: Gorai Creek, Mumbai
Price: N/A
Craving a quiet escape? Sanjay Gandhi National Park offers a range of beautiful trails that come alive with rain-drenched foliage and birdsong.
Where: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali
Contact: 022-28868686/77387 78789 or sgnp.maharashtra.gov.in
