Outdoor Activities in Mumbai

Information on the facilities in Mumbai for outdoor activities: walking, hiking, jogging, sailing, parks, weekend trips and other outdoor activities in the area...

National Parks

Sanjay Gandhi National Park(SGNP): Covering 104 square kilometres, the SGNP is a forest within a city. The park is known for its dense forest and the diversity of its wildlife, which includes birds, butterflies, deer, porcupines and antelopes. The park's tigers, lions and crocodiles are housed within enclosures. There is a small population of leopards that roam within the park's confines, and these can be dangerous if confronted and especially dangerous if surrounded.

  • For more information on the leopards of Sanjay Gandhi National Park: Click here (PDF)
  • The SGNP park rangers have a hotline for leopard-related emergencies. Tel: 022 2886 6449

Highlights include the Kaneri caves, a series of Buddhist cave-temples chiselled from the basalt cliffs. Religious inscriptions and statues are plentiful, along with cisterns, canals and carved staircases. There are also two large lakes that supply water to Mumbai, boats for hire, a toy train and an information centre. The park has an entry fee, with concessions for morning walkers and senior citizens. It is possible to drive around parts of the park in private vehicles.

Several other green spaces exist around Mumbai, though these are seldom protected or patrolled. They include mangrove forests, jungle and lakes.

Golf Clubs

Golf is a prestigious sport in Mumbai, though a street version ("slum golf") played with bent iron rods and table tennis balls also exists. There are several exclusive golf clubs within Mumbai's city limits:

The Bombay Presidency Golf Club: Membership of the club is currently restricted, but ten-year memberships can be obtained with four nominations. Members can bring guests, equipment rental is possible, and training courses are available.

The Willingdon Sports Club: Membership is restricted, but temporary and corporate memberships remain open.

Sailing

Royal Bombay Yacht Club: Members-only sailing club with extensive overseas exchanges and a calendar of social events. Offers training courses, residential chambers and use of the library, billiards room and sailing room to members.

Colaba Sailing Club: Members-only club with boats available for hire, a training programme and a social calendar including Sunday picnics at the Elephanta Caves.

Horse Racing and Horseriding

Mahalaxmi Racecourse: Opens November to April, with the McDowell's Indian Derby in February. Open to the public for jogging and yoga in the early mornings, with polo and amateur riding permitted in the centre of the track. Owned by the Royal Western India Turf Club, which provides membership packages.

Running

Mumbai has a number of "Jogger's Parks", small and typically well-maintained public gardens created for running and keeping fit. The first Jogger's Park was established in 1991 by the seaside in Bandra, and they have quickly spread across the city. Jogger's Parks typically open between 05:00 and 10:00, and close between 16:00 and 20:00. They charge a small entry fee. A selection is listed below:

  • Jogger's Park Bandra: Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
  • Jogger's Park Versova: Fisheries University Road, Versova, Mumbai 400061
  • Jogger's Park Ghatkopar West: Jagdusga Nagar, Ghatkopa West, Mumbai 400086
  • Jogger's Park Lokhandwala: BMC Road, Lokhandwala Complex, Mumbai 400102
  • Jogger's Park Chedda Nagar: Sector 1, Chedda Nagar, Mumbai 400089
  • Jogger's Park Panchsheel: K.T. Soni Road, Kandivali West, Mumbai 400067
  • Jogger's Park Juhu: Vaikunthlal Mehta Road, Juhu, Mumbai 400049

Cycling

While cycling has traditionally been thought of in Mumbai as a practical means of transport, Mumbaikars are increasingly seeing it as a pastime and a means of keeping fit. Bike lanes are a novelty in India, so inner-city cyclists are obliged to share the road with other vehicles.

The cycling website cyclists.in organises local cycling groups, and its forum users share information about practical routes and leisure rides.

Weekend Destinations

As Mumbai is chiefly a commercial city, popular weekend getaway resorts have developed in the countryside around it. Hotels in these areas often offer one- or two-night packages.

  • Lonavala and Khandala: Located in the hills between Mumbai and Pune. The waterfalls and low-flying clouds created during the monsoon season are particularly picturesque, and the area is popular with hikers and walkers
  • Alibagh: Coastal area with historic waterside forts and temples, as well as watersports facilities
  • Matheran: Scenic mountainside town 80 Km from Mumbai from which vehicles are banned. Car parks are located 10 Km from the town, and transport is by foot, pony or train.