Shikhar Falls

The nearest waterfall to the city that asks something of you: a drive to Kairwan village on the wooded northern fringe, then a rocky kilometre along the stream to a clear cascade with shallow pools below it. Butterflies, birdsong, cold water, nothing built. Between July and September it runs at full strength, which is also when the stones turn slippery and proper shoes stop being optional. On a weekday you may have the whole place to yourself. There is nothing past the village, so carry water and take your rubbish back with you.

A kilometre on foot from the last village to a cascade you may have to yourself