Elephant's Head Point

Elephant’s head pint is one of the most popular and frequented tourists’ places in Mahabaleshwar. Located at the extreme end of the mountain, the Elephant's head point is an overhanging cliff with an uncanny resemblance to an elephant’s head or trunk. Offering a stunning view of the Sahyadri ranges and the river valley nearby, Elephant’s head point is a great place to visit during your vacation at Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra.

• Popular for: nature, picnic, adventure, photography

• Entry fee: No

• Visit time: 9am-6pm

• Visiting duration: 1-2 hours

History and overview:

Set amidst nature’s extremity, this beautiful view pint is named after Sir Mount Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay during the British reign. It is said that Elephant’s head point was discovered in 1830 by Dr. Murray.

Located at an elevation of 1290 metres, by the side of Kate's Point, Elephant’s head point, also popularly called as Needle Hole point, is a natural rock formation with a hole in the centre.

Things to do:

• Surrounded by small lush green hills, it is a piece of heaven on earth for photographers, nature lovers and solace seekers. Set against a stunning backdrop, this site is a great place to capture some splendid shots.

• Witness Mother Nature’s own artwork at the Elephant’s Head Point.

• Blessed with serenity, this place is perfect for enjoying a lovely picnic with family or a romantic evening with your loved one.

• Experience the mesmerizing view of sunrise and sunset from this place.

• Enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the Sahyadri Range and along with Pratapgarh fort and Savitri River Valley from this viewpoint.

Best time to visit:

Covered with lush greenery and mist, the beauty of Elephant’s head point is at its peak in the rainy season (June to September). During monsoon, nature lovers and tourists around the country flock this place to experience the serene nature bestowing exquisite charm. Since Mahabaleshwar experiences heavy rainfall during monsoon, you can plan a trip in winter (October to January).

How to reach?

Situated at a distance of 7 km from Mahabaleshwar bus stand, Elephant’s head point lies just beyond the Lodwick Point towards the end of the mountain. You can take local transport like bus or auto-rickshaw to reach the entrance of the viewpoint. This popular point is easily accessible by foot or pony ride from the parking lot. It is a 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the parking to the Elephant’s head point. The most accessible and convenient railway junction from Mahabaleshwar would be Pune. You can take a bus or taxi from Pune to Mahabaleshwar. Located at a distance of 131 km, the nearest airport is Pune airport.

Nearby attractions

Following are some of the popular tourist places lying in the vicinity of Elephant’s head pint, Mahabaleshwar.

• Dhom Dam

• Mapro Garden,

• Sydney Point

• Lingmala Waterfalls

• Parsi Point

• Kate’s Point

• Table Land

• Cheese Factory

• Menwali Ghat

• Mahabaleshwar Temple

• Pratapgarh Fort

With tranquility and plenty of scenic beauty surrounding the hill-top, Elephant’s head point is very popular among couples, fun-seekers and nature lovers. Dotted by hills around, Elephant’s head point is a must-visit destination is planning a vacation to Mahabaleshwar.