Cool Off At These 10 Best Hill Stations Near Surat

Surat, the sprawling port city of Gujarat, is famous as the diamond capital of India. While Surat is mainly an industrial town with a handful of visitor attractions, it is well-placed to explore a bunch of great hill stations in its vicinity.

If you’re from Surat, a visit to surrounding hill stations is always a welcome idea, considering how hot Surat is throughout most of the year . The temperature in summers reaches around 38 degrees celsius. Check out our list of hill stations near Surat to escape to.

Hill stations near Surat within 200 kilometres

1. Wilson Hills

Best visited in monsoon or winter, Wilson Hills are located near Dharampur in Valsad district of Gujarat. The hill station is located in a densely forested area at a height of 750 metres approximately near Pangarbari Wildlife Sanctuary. It has the distinction of being one of the very few hill stations in the world from where you can look at the sea.

Wilson Hills is the smallest hill station in Gujarat, and its major attractions are Barumal Temple, Marble Chatri, Steep Valley, Shankar Waterfalls, and other hilltop views. Known as the mini Saputara of Gujarat, Wilson Hills is ideal for a short getaway over the weekend.

• Distance from Surat: 130 kilometres

2. Saputara

Saputara means Abode of Serpents. It is located amidst the lush Dang Forest of Sahyadri Ranges. Saputara is always cool and inviting, with green winding roads, scenic attractions and plenty of tribal culture to immerse your senses in. Monsoons are the best time to visit. Main attractions are Saputara Lake, Ropeway, Sunset Point, Gira Waterfalls, Townview Point, Step Gardens, Sunrise Point.

Enjoy sightseeing in a jeep ride, go boating in Saputara Lake, or enjoy multiple adventure sports like paragliding, zorbing, rock climbing, parasailing.

• Distance from Surat: 160 kilometres

3. Don Hill Station

Gujarat’s highest hill station, at about 1070 metres, Don Hill Station is nestled in the Dang forest range. Although development plans are underway, you will not find this little village with as many amenities as Saputara, hence you may have to stay overnight in Saputara or Surat.

Enjoy visiting secluded hill tops to experience alone time in nature, splash around in pristine streams, and trek among hills that touch the clouds. Carry your own food and other necessities as you won’t find any food stalls or restaurants here.

• Distance from Surat: 170 kilometres

Hill stations near Surat within 300 kilometres

1. Pavagadh

At an elevation of 762 metres, Pavagadh is a hill station in Panchmahal district, near Baroda.
There are many lovely waterfalls on the hill trail during monsoon. The area is populated by the Rathwa tribe. The Kalika Mata Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, is a famous tourist attraction atop Pavagadh Hill.

Other notable attractions are Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (UNESCO Heritage site), the beautifully-carved Jain Temples, Raval Palace, Telia and Dudhia Talav, Virasat Van, Vada Talav and Kabooter Khana.

• Distance from Surat: 200 kilometres

2. Igatpuri

A well-known hill station in Maharashtra, Igatpuri is a picturesque hill station in the Western Ghats. If you’re looking for a hill station near Surat with the best trails for hiking and camping, Igatpuri is the best choice. Igatpuri is also known for Vipassana Meditation Centre called Dhammagiri.

The best places to visit in Igatpuri are Bhatsa River Valley, the scenic Arthur Lake, Kalsubai Peak, which is the highest peak in the Sahyadris. Also visit Tringalwadi Fort at the altitude of 3000 feet.

• Distance from Surat: 284 kilometres

Hill stations near Surat within 400 kilometres

1. Matheran

Surat’s proximity to Maharashtra makes it an ideal place from where to visit Maharashtra’s many gorgeous hill stations, the most famous of which is Matheran. Mostly visited by Mumbai tourists, Matheran is pleasant all throughout the year. Points in Matheran provide great views of the surrounding hills, and you can enjoy sightseeing either on foot or on horseback.

Check out the Lake Charlotte, which has spectacular waterfalls during and after monsoons. Also visit Panorama Point, Heart Point, Monkey Point and One Tree Hill, which is a hill with a single huge tree on it.

• Distance from Surat: 330 kilometres

2. Khandala

The ever busy Mumbai-Pune expressway passes through Khandala, making it very accessible and popular. The hill station is a great place to trek and camp. Tiger Leap Point is famous for the illusion of a leaping tiger.

Duke’s Nose is named after the Duke of Wellington who apparently had a pointed nose like a cliff. The place is highly popular for rappelling, rock climbing and trekking. An ancient jail from the Colonial times is a tourist draw as are rock cut caves called Karla and Bhaja Caves.

• Distance from Surat: 340 kilometres

3. Lonavala

Another famous hill station in Maharashtra, Lonavala is not too far away from Khandala. Lonavala and Khandala are twin hill stations. Green, misty and scenic, Lonavala is famous for spectacular views from Rajmachi Point, Shivling Point, the huge gardens of Ryewood Park and Shivaji Gardens, Lohagad Fort and Visapur Fort and Bhushi Dam. Lion’s Point is another peak from which you can enjoy stunning vistas.

• Distance from Surat: 353 kilometres

Hill stations near Surat within 500 kilometres

1. Abu & Ambaji

The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is situated near Gujarat-Rajasthan border. The hill station is part of the Aravali Hills. You can explore this charming hill station on rented bike and check out some of its beautiful attractions like boating in the clear, blue waters of Nakki Lake, the pristine white marble temples of Dilwara, Guru Shikhar – the highest point in Aravallis, and and the 14th century fort of Achalgarh.

Ambaji is enroute Mount Abu, famous for the temple of Goddess Amba atop the famous Gabbar Hill.

• Distance from Surat: 498 kilometres

Hill station near Surat within 600 kilometres

1. Girnar Hill

This is an ancient Hindu and Jain pilgrimage site, a sacred mountain known for its famous summit trek marked by several important temples on the way. Damodar Kund and Bhavnath temple are considered very sacred in Girnar.

You can also visit the famous rock edict built by King Ashoka. Neminath temple is significant for the Jain faith. Girnar is the highest mountain in Gujarat. Junagadh is at the foothill of Girnar Hill and you can stay there overnight.

• Distance from Surat: 552 kilometres

To escape the scorching sun or to enjoy the freshness of monsoon, these hill stations are ideal for a short trip from Surat. How many have you visited? Let us know in the comments section.