Gujarat is well known for its vast, unending stretches of coastline, industrial belts, rich wildlife, beaches, temples and many historical monuments. Hill stations in Gujarat are relatively less in number when compared to the other parts of India but the few hill stations that the state has are unparalleled in their natural beauty and salubrious weather. These are the more greener and verdant pockets of Gujarat which can allow you to unwind in the lap of nature and beat the summer heat most effectively.
Some of the top hill stations of Gujarat are discussed below-
Saputara Hill Station
Saputara is a beautiful hill station of Gujarat and also the most popular of all other hill stations. The hill station is perched at an elevation of 1000 meters above the sea level and falls within the forested belt of Gujarat’s Dang district. This is one of the most gorgeous hill stations of the Sahyadris. The beauty of Saputara is characterized by the mesmerizing views of rolling hills, luxuriant vales, small tribal hamlets and lush green woods.
- Why to Visit: If you wish to take a break from a hectic routine and recharge yourself over the weekend, this idyllic hill station is indeed a must visit.
- Best Time to Visit: All round the year excluding the months July-August when the region experiences monsoons and thus heavy rainfall.
- Ideal For: Honeymooners, backpackers and trekkers, nature lovers, passionate vacationers.
- Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 days
How to Reach: If you choose to travel by flight you have to take flight to Mumbai airport and then hire a cab/taxi to reach Saputara. If you choose to take the rail route, you need to take a train to Waghai station which falls nearest to Saputara. After reaching station you can hire a cab/taxi to reach Saputara. The hill station is well connected to all neighboring cities of Gujarat via roads on which private and public buses plus taxis ply regularly. Thus reaching Saputara by the road route isn’t a problem too.
Things to Do: When you are at Saputara don’t forget to visit the places such as Saputara Lake, Gira falls, lake gardens, Saputara museum, Saptashrungi Devi Mandir, Nageshwar Mahadev temple, sunrise point, town view point, rose gardens, Vansda national park, Forest nursery.
Wilson Hill Station
This charming hill station of Gujarat falls within Gujarat’s Valsad district and is situated in vicinity to Gujarat’s Dharampur Tehsil. The hill station lies amid the Sahyadri mountain ranges and rises to an elevation of about 750 meters above the sea level. This is Gujarat’s smallest hill station and is referred to as ‘mini Saputara’. Wilson hills can serve as an excellent forested hill town retreat to soothe your tired mind. The hill station is famous among tourists for offering exquisite view of sea from hill top plus panoramic views of the sun rise and sun set. This hill station got its name from Lord Wilson who had been Mumbai’s governor during the British era.
- Why to Visit: The hill station comes with a salubrious weather and charming scenery which offers a relief to your frayed nerves. Nature at Wilson hills refreshes you to the very core. Therefore, Wilson hills is a must-visit destination.
- Ideal For: Honeymooners, backpackers and trekkers, nature lovers, passionate family vacationers, photo fanatics.
- Ideal Duration: 2-3 days
How to Reach: You can fly to Surat airport or make a train journey to Surat railway station and then the rest of the journey may be completed through road transport such as buses, taxis or cabs. To reach Wilson you have to reach Dharampur first and then proceed for your onward journey towards Wilson.
Best Time to Visit: It is best to visit Wilson hills in the summer season; i.e. between months March and May because during that time the weather remains most soothing and pleasant quite opposed to the soaring temperatures of the plains. Also, you could consider visiting this hill station in the Monsoons when the landscape is cloaked with fresh greenery.
Things to Do: When you are at Wilson, don’t forget to visit the places like Barumal temple, Shankar waterfalls, Lady Wilson museum, Bilpudi twin waterfalls, Ozone valley, Sunrise point, Sunset point, Marble Chatri, Steep valley. Also, there are many amazing activities you could indulge in once you are at Wilson such as trekking, horse riding, kite flying and shooting range.
Dataar Hill Station
Datar hill station falls within Gujarat’s Junagadh district and rises to 847 meters above the sea level. This is a beautifully laid out hill station adorned with colorful gardens, panoramic views of hills and vales and lush greenery. The hill station lies close to the city of Surat.
- Why to Visit: If you wish to rejuvenate yourself in the lap of nature and amid a salubrious cool climate Dataar is one charming place which you must visit to fulfill the demands of your heart and soul most aptly.
- Ideal For: Honeymooners, backpackers and trekkers, nature lovers, passionate family vacationers, photo fanatics.
- Ideal Duration: 2-3 days
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Dataar is between months October and March. The weather during that time remains most pleasant at the Datar hills. However, monsoon time travel to Datar too is enjoyed by all those who love the rains and the greens.
How to Reach: To reach Dataar hills you need to reach Junagadh first and then hire a cab to move uphill towards the hill station. You can take a flight to Junagadh’s Keshod airport or make a train journey to Junagadh junction railway station before completing the rest of the journey by road. Also, buses to Junagadh are available from every part of Gujarat. Thus, one can easily reach the hill station by road route as well.
Things to Do: When you are at Datar hills make sure to visit the key attractions of Dataar such as Swami Vivekananda Vinay Mandir, Ashok Shilalekh, Dataar hill and Ayurvedic museum, Jamial Shah Datar shrine.
Don Hill Station
Don is another idyllic hill station of Gujarat located in vicinity to Saputara hill station. The hill station is laid out on the Gujarat-Maharashtra border and is about 30kms away from Ahwa; Dangs’ headquarters. This hill station falls second in terms of elevation after the Saputara hill station of Gujarat. This hill station rises to an elevation of 1100 meters above the sea level. The hill station is said to have acquired its name from a character in epic Mahabharata known by the name of Dronacharya. Don is a real picturesque hill station but comparatively less explored. Cool pleasant breeze, misty hills, emerald vales and a tranquil mark the beauty of Don.
- Why to Visit: If you are looking for a short weekend retreat to shake off your languor and soak in the beauty of Mother Nature in its most pristine form, then Don hill station is indeed a must-visit place.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Don is between March to May and then again between September to February.
- Ideal For: Honeymooners, backpackers and trekkers, nature lovers, passionate family vacationers, photo fanatics.
- Ideal Duration: 2-3 days
How to Reach: You can reach Don by airway, roadway and railway. Take a flight to Mumbai airport and then hire a cab to reach Don. You can reach Don by private & public buses plus cabs from almost all cities of Gujarat. You can take a train to Waghai station and then complete the rest of the journey to Don hill station via road.
Things to Do: The best things to do while you are at Don are nature gazing, photographing the scenic nature, strolling across the meandering hilly lanes and making an excursion to Saler fort.
Pavagadh
This is a hill station named as Pavagadh rises from Champaner in three stages. The ruing below the middle fort and palace and the upper fort with its Hindu – Jain temples. Comes under the municipality of Panchmahal district which is around 46 kms away from Vadodara.
Girnar Hills
Girnar (also renowned as Girnar high ground or Girinagar) is a assemblage of hills in the Junagadh locality of Gujarat, India, located beside Junagadh at a expanse of 327 km from Ahmedabad. In detail, Girnar has been a sacred place well before the Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro time span and its origin can be traced back to the Vedas and other holy scriptures of various Indus Valley founded religions.
