All hill stations are located in Dangs District, near Saputara
It’s May and Summer is on the top! Yeah, and vacations too! In the old times, the Britisher officers in India weren’t able to face the heat of our ablaze sun, so they were used to take a leave of two months, April, May and go out for a vacation on one of the hill stations of India. The reason many of India’s hill stations are influenced by the British colonial.
I live in Vansda, Gujarat. Gujarat has total 3 hill stations in the Sahyadri mountain range. Fortunately for me, they all are located within 2 hours’ journey from my home. 🙂 Due to the close proximity, I normally visit the tourist places once in a year.
What is a hill station by the way?
Technically, a hill station is a town at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley having cooler temperature and pleasant atmosphere. A place of refuge from the summer heat.
Well, all talk and folklores aside, let’s make the list!
List 1 – Hill Stations in Gujarat
Click on hill station name for short intro, rating, photo and accommodation information.
Saputara, aka ‘abode of serpents’, is Gujarat’s best known hill station. At the height of ~1000 meters, Saputara offers a pleasant climate and panoramic view of lush green Dang forest. Perched on a plateau in the Dangs forest area in the Sahyadri range of mountains, it offers breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset.
Saputara is the most developed and most promoted tourist destination by the Gujarat tourism department. It has all the amenities like hotels, parks, swimming pools, para gliding, restaurants, boat club, theaters, ropeways, museum, you name it for a great weekend trip.
You can go to Saputara any time during the year, the place won’t disappoint you. Though monsoon season is the best to enjoy the beauty of this place. Saputara is 170 km from Surat and 280 from Mumbai. State transport buses are also available from Bilimora.
More info: Saputara
My rating: 4.5 / 5
Hotels in Saputara:
- MakeMyTrip (Recommended)
- Cleartrip
- Yatra
The Wilson hill station stands in an impenetrable forest area near Dharampur in the Valsad district of Gujarat. Having an average elevation of 750m, the Wilson Hills are popular during the summer months as it enjoys a cooler and less humid climate than the surrounding area.
There is a total of six points on the Wilson Hills to get mesmerized. However, this hill station hasn’t received much of the government attention like the Saputara did. Thus, apart from getting pleasure and oxygen from the scenic views, there’s little activity you can do.
The roads up to the station are fun to drive. It’s at a distance of 25 km from Dharampur and 120 km from Surat. There’s also a restaurant.If you want to spend the night on the peak, then there’s also a tent resort for you.
Accommodation/Food/Homestay at Wilson Hills: +91 94295 64808. Prior booking is required.
More info: Wilson Hill Station Dharampur
My rating: 3.5 / 5
A new comer to the list. The Don hill station is a scenic village located near Saputara, on the border of Gujarat – Maharashtra. Not many people know about this place.
Surrounded with lush green mountains, at the height of 1100 meters, Don hill station offers a heavenly experience. Fortunately for Don, the Dang district administration is actively involved in the tourism development projects. The best time to visit is the monsoon. I visited the place during August and the trip was a five-star experience.
Don is 50 km from Saputara and 175 km from Surat. Such are the lovely roads and the environment there that you’d remember the quote, “The path is important, destination isn’t. ” while driving.
More info: Don Hill Station, Gujarat
My rating: 4 / 5
There’s no accommodation facility available at Don as of now. Best option is to stay at Saputara.
Hotels in Saputara:
- MakeMyTrip (Recommended)
- Cleartrip
- Yatra
That’s pretty much all Gujarat has for you. Let’s take a look at some hill stations near Gujarat.
List 2 – Hill Stations Near Gujarat
Mount Abu has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat for centuries. It is referred to as ‘an oasis in the desert’ as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests.
The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 m above sea level.
More info: Mount Abu
My rating: 4.5 / 5
Matheran is a hill station in Karjat Tahsil and is also the smallest hill station in India. It is situated on the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m. Located around 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune, Matheran’s proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a popular weekend getaway for urban residents.
Matheran is an eco-sensitive region. It is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station.
Matheran is all about points. There are around 38 designated lookout points in Matheran, including the Panorama Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and the Neral town. From this point, the view of sunset and sunrise is dramatic. To stay there, there are plenty of hotels and villas are available.
More info: Matheran
My rating: 5 / 5
Lonavla is in Pune district in the Maharashtra. Known for its production of the hard candy Chikki, it is also a major stop on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Chennai highway pass through Lonavla.
Lonavla and the adjacent Khandala are twin hill stations 622 meters above sea level, in the Sahyadri ranges. Tourism peaks during the monsoon season.
Sightseeing tour of this hill station offers the breathtaking views of forts, caves, lakes, hills and several view points.
More info: Lonavla
My rating: 4 / 5
6 hill stations are enough to beat the heat, I guess! If I missed something, leave your recommendations in the comments below.
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