Imagine a rare, quiet place in Mumbai. Dim moody lights. Beautiful vistas. Trees, trees, trees. It isn't a new cafe in Bandra. Or a special restaurant in Fort. It's the Elevated Nature Trail. The city's Newest Hot Spot.
Inspired by Singapore's tree-top walkway, it's our pathway through Malabar Hill's foliage. Hitesh Harisinghani goes for a spin...
A lovely site for a cool dawn walk. Hear the cheery chirping of birds. Look out for the grey hornbill, pond heron, rose-ringed parakeet, tailor bird, black kite. Or a sunset stroll with the SI. If you are wanting fresh air after a long work day, this calming place awaits.
Over 5,500 people visited walked the trail on the first two days, when it opened to the public on March 30. Summer it will be perhaps quite busy. We can't wait to discover what it would be like in the monsoons.
You can book your tickets online at https://naturetrail.mcgm.gov.in
It's one of the very few addresses in Mumbai where you can enjoy a bird's eye view of bustling Marine Drive and the Chowpatty beach from a shaded green vantage point. It was Bombay governor, the enlightened Mountstuart Elphinstone who was indirectly responsible for developing this leafy neighbourgood back in the early 19th century.
The trail runs for 485 m and is 2.4 m wide. It has plenty of scenic points at which you can capture Mumbai's energetic and magical skyline.
Cricket enthusiasts may catch a glimpse of the famous Wankhede Stadium.
Designed by IMK Architects, with funding from the BMC and JSW Foundation, take your kids for chakkar. Or plan a photography jaunt. Else spend some time in solitiude.
Open: 5 am (wonderful time) to 8 pm. Entry fee: Per hour Rs 25 for Indians, Rs 100 for foreign citizens. Tickets bookable online.