The short answer
Garbett Plateau Trek: what visitors should know first
A good monsoon day trek for reasonably fit beginners: about 8 to 10 km, with a steady climb onto a broad grassy plateau and a walk out to Matheran. The plateau can also be seen from Garbett Point inside Matheran, which is the gentler option for older parents.
History and context
The story behind Garbett Plateau Trek
Garbett Plateau is a grassy spur of the Matheran hills ending at Garbett Point. The route up from Sagachiwadi, a small tribal village near the Dhom dam, is the second most popular walking route into Matheran.
Useful facts
Garbett Plateau Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Bhivpuri Road side up to Garbett Point, north Matheran
- Altitude
- About 2,600 ft (around 800 m)
- Experience type
- Plateau trek
- Known for
- Open monsoon grassland and valley views
- Time or schedule
- About 8 to 10 km; a full day
Why it matters
Why Garbett Plateau Trek is worth your time
Garbett Plateau shows the tableland shape of the Matheran hills from outside, which is hard to appreciate from within the forested hill station. The open grass and long edges make it one of the most photographed monsoon walks near Mumbai.
Because it ends in Matheran, the trek also makes it possible for a family to split up for the day: walkers come up the plateau while others take the toy train or taxi and meet them in town.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Open plateau
A wide grassy spur that turns bright green in the monsoon.
- 02
Garbett Point
The end of the plateau, with views over the valleys towards Karjat.
- 03
Finish in Matheran
The trek ends at Dasturi Naka, where family members can meet walkers.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Most groups start at Bhivpuri Road station near Karjat or the nearby village of Diksal. The path crosses fields and passes the Dhom dam and the small village of Sagachiwadi before climbing through forest and rocky patches onto Garbett Plateau. Expect about four hours of walking to the plateau at a steady pace.
The plateau is broad and grassy, with seasonal streams in the monsoon, and ends at Garbett Point, around 2,600 ft, overlooking the valleys towards Karjat. From the point, a walk of about 2 to 3 km leads to Dasturi Naka, the vehicle-free edge of Matheran, from where taxis run down to Neral station.
In the monsoon, cloud can hide the route and streams rise quickly after heavy rain. Go with a guide or organiser who knows the path, carry rain gear and enough water, and leave enough time to reach Dasturi Naka in daylight.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Start early from Bhivpuri Road
- Carry rain gear and 2 litres of water
- Go with a guide in cloud or heavy rain
- Plan to reach Dasturi Naka in daylight
- Check monsoon restrictions before setting out
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Bhivpuri Road / Diksal side up to Garbett Plateau and Dasturi Naka, Matheran
- Time needed
- Full day: about 4 hours up, then 2 to 3 km to Dasturi Naka
- Best time
- June to September for green grass and streams; October to February is drier and clearer
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The climb from the Bhivpuri side is long, with rocky patches and stream crossings that become slippery in the rain. Older travellers should not attempt it. Within Matheran, a walk from the market area towards Garbett Point gives a view along the plateau without the climb; horses, hand-pulled rickshaws and e-rickshaws cover parts of the town.
- Tickets and access
- No forest permit is published for the plateau walk. Check locally whether any Matheran entry charge applies when you walk in. Maharashtra districts often issue prohibitory orders (now under Section 163 of the BNSS, formerly Section 144) that close or restrict forts, waterfalls and dams during the monsoon, especially after accidents. Confirm current access with the local police, forest office or a registered trek organiser before you set out.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Garbett Plateau Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The climb from the Bhivpuri side is long, with rocky patches and stream crossings that become slippery in the rain. Older travellers should not attempt it. Within Matheran, a walk from the market area towards Garbett Point gives a view along the plateau without the climb; horses, hand-pulled rickshaws and e-rickshaws cover parts of the town.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where does the Garbett trek start and end?
Most groups start near Bhivpuri Road and finish at Dasturi Naka in Matheran, then take a taxi to Neral.
How hard is it?
Easy to moderate for fit beginners, but long. Slippery rock and streams make it harder in heavy rain.
Can older parents see the plateau?
Yes. From inside Matheran, Garbett Point looks along the plateau without the climb from below.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
