In a city that never sleeps, where skyscrapers shove for space and green cover steadily shrinks, Mumbai has found a quiet triumph in the heart of one of its oldest and most upscale neighbourhoods. The newly inaugurated Malabar Hill Forest Trail is more than just a nature trail—it’s a thoughtfully elevated experience that meanders through a preserved micro-forest, offering Mumbaikars a chance to pause, breathe and rediscover the forest. Know more about this rare blend of architectural ingenuity and ecological understanding on SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
Commissioned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and supported by the JSW Foundation, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail has been designed by IMK Architects, led by principal architect Rahul Kadri.
Mumbai’s Green Revival
Commissioned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and supported by the JSW Foundation, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail has been designed by IMK Architects, led by principal architect Rahul Kadri. Kadri, who grew up near Malabar Hill, describes the forest as a childhood refuge. “Over time, I saw these spaces vanish, giving way to urban development. The Malabar Hill Forest Trail is my response to that,” he cited. His architectural vision was supported by the Nepean Sea Road Citizens’ Forum, philanthropist Sangita Jindal, and former state cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray. Although the design phase took only a few months, its construction spanned three years, using no heavy machinery to ensure minimal disruption to the environment.
A Forest Above the City
The experience begins with a digital nudge—book a slot on the BMC’s Nature Trail Booking, arrive punctually and scan a QR code at the site, and there you are transported into a hidden world where nature sits quietly in contrast to the city’s unending energy. Open daily from 5am to 8pm, the walkway accommodates 200 visitors per hour, allowing them to leisurely explore the 482m trail that winds through a thick canopy of trees of Malabar Hill, offering unobstructed views of the Arabian Sea.
The trail begins near Kamla Nehru Park and loops back to the starting point through the forest, giving visitors a complete circuit of serenity and spectacle. From the trail’s elevated point, one encounters a vibrant living canvas of birds, squirrels, and thick clusters of Banyan, Gulmohar and Jamun trees draping the path in their lush canopy. Each step is enriched with educational plaques that introduce visitors to the biodiversity around them. As the trail loops back to the opening point, a scenic deck stands still offering visitors the sweeping panorama of Girgaon Chowpatty and the Arabian Sea with Mumbai in all its layered glory.
Open daily from 5am to 8pm, the walkway accommodates 200 visitors per hour, allowing them to leisurely explore the 482m trail that winds through a thick canopy of trees of Malabar Hill, offering unobstructed views of the Arabian Sea.
Ecologically-Smart Design
Inspired by Singapore’s Tree Top Walk, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail retraces two historic ground-level trails originally carved during the pre-Independence era, now elevated between 2m to 10m to preserve the forest space. The deliberate elevation offers humans a chance to coexist with nature and not intrude it. Crafted using Merbau wood, sustainably sourced from Kerala, forms the trail underfoot and is supported by epoxy-coated steel columns and beams with low-impact pile foundations. The minimal design of the structure glides effortlessly through the dense vegetation. What makes the walkway truly magical is the experience it offers.
Reclaiming Green
More than just a recreational path, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail redefines urban infrastructure by placing nature at its core. In a city where land is synonymous with profit, this project offers a counter narrative, one where green spaces are protected, celebrated and made accessible. “If Mumbai can reclaim forest land in one of its most expensive neighbourhoods, what else is possible when we design with respect for the environment?” he quizzed. His question certainly invites not just admiration but also introspection for Mumbai, and for cities everywhere.
Inspired by Singapore’s Tree Top Walk, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail retraces two historic ground-level trails originally carved during the pre-Independence era, now elevated between 2m to 10m to preserve the forest space.
Project details
Project name: Malabar Hill Forest Trail
Client: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Location: Malabar Hill, Mumbai
Completion date/status: Completed
Image Courtesy: IMK Architects