Saputara hill station is one of the most underrated hill stations in India. Located in the Dang district it is the only hill station in Gujarat. Hence, if you are looking for places that would offer you a break from your hectic schedule this one is a great choice.
Nestled 3280 feet (1000 m) above sea level, Saputara in Gujarat can provide you with scenic landscapes and panoramic lush green views. This is quite typical of most hill stations in India, especially during the monsoon season.
The word Saputara in Gujarati language means ‘abode of serpents’ and the town derives its name from the winding Sarpaganga River that passes through the town.
In terms of accommodation, Saputara hill station has ample hotels in Saputara that you can choose from based on your preferences and budget. However, if you are willing to indulge you can opt for resorts in Saputara that would ensure a memorable holiday experience.
Here’s a quick look at 11 reasons why you should choose Saputara hill station for your next weekend getaway in Gujarat.
1. Easy Connectivity
When you are planning a short holiday or weekend getaway you would want to cut down the commute time. Saputara in Gujarat is well-connected via road, rail and air route. Hence, you do not have to spend hours commuting to this hill station in Gujarat.
Saputara hill station is located just 1.5 km (1 mile) from the Gujarat – Maharashtra border. Hence, it is also accessible for most people in Maharashtra to visit this hill station. The nearest railway station is Waghai which is almost 50 km (32 miles) away.
2. Enjoy Boating in Saputara Lake
One of the main attractions in Saputara hill station is Saputara Lake. It lies right in the heart of the town and therefore it is impossible to miss it. Hence, Saputara Lake is one of the main places to visit in Saputara.
While you are at the lake you can enjoy boating which allows you to enjoy the town from a different perspective. As you enjoy boating you can enjoy the view of hills surrounding the town. Boating is one of the popular things to do in Saputara and therefore you should not miss it.
3. Soak in the Beauty of Gira Waterfalls
Not too far from Waghai Railway Station, Gira Waterfalls is one of the places to visit in Saputara. This waterfall comes alive during the monsoon season. If you are visiting Saputara in monsoon you can halt here and enjoy the beauty of this waterfall.
You can spend time here with your family and take pictures of the landscape and the waterfalls while you are here. If you are planning to stay in Saputara you can visit Gira Waterfalls the next day for a day trip. This waterfall is quite different from the waterfalls you find at various hill stations in Maharashtra.
4. Hike the Table Land Point
During the monsoon, hiking can add a lot to a holiday experience. Table Land Point in Saputara is a vantage point from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscape. This is a great place where you can hang out for a few hours. This is also known as Townview Point.
However, when you are hiking this place make sure that you know a bit about the weather. This would ensure that you can make the most of your weather rather than getting stuck in a bad one. From here you can get the ropeway ride to the Sunset Point.
5. Explore Small Lakes Around
Apart from the main Saputara Lake, there are many small rivers and lakes that you would want to explore. For nature lovers, this would be a great experience discovering what comes their way. If you are looking for a romantic retreat in Saputara you can do that as well.
However, when you are heading out for nature exploration make sure that you carry a bottle of water and something to eat. This would allow you to picnic at various undefined spots enjoying unspoiled views of Saputara hill station.
Also, make sure that you do not litter as you go around. Carry an additional plastic bag to dump fruit skins and plastic wrappers which you can then throw in a dustbin at your hotel.
6. Try Ropeway and Paragliding
If you are looking for some adventure and thrills, the Pushpak Ropeway in Saputara in Gujarat sounds fun. This is a great ropeway system that allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the only hill station in Gujarat.
This 25-minute ride would allow you to have a great time with your family and loved ones. The ropeway begins from Saputara Table Land Point and ends at Saputara Sunset Point and vice versa. You can also look out for various other activities here like paragliding.
7. Stroll the Forest Nursery
While you are exploring Saputara hill station you can also explore the Forest Nursery. This is a perfect place for nature lovers, gardening enthusiasts and flower enthusiasts. The nursery is maintained by the Forest Department of Saputara.
Here you can walk through a variety of flowering plants, herbs, creepers, and regional plants that can make you smile instantly. If you are interested in buying them, you can do that as well.
You would also want to explore various gardens and parks in Saputara including the Step Garden, Rose Garden and Lake Garden.
8. Witness Beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets
One of the reasons why Saputara hill station should be your next destination is because you love watching sunrises and sunsets. There are specific vantage points in Saputara that allow you to enjoy these specific celestial events.
If you are an early riser, you would want to head up to Sunrise Point for a perfect start. However, if you miss it you can still enjoy some lovely sunsets with your family and loved ones and capture some stunning shots.
9. Explore the Vansda National Park
Nature lovers looking for a thrilling expedition can head out to Vansda National Park. This is one of the best places to visit close to Saputara. If you have a private vehicle you can head to this national park and get a permit to enter.
One of the unique things about Vansda National Park is that it has some of the thickest forest canopies in the Western Ghats in India. Here you can find more than 400 different species of flowering plants, 150 species of birds, and more than 100 species of mammals.
Additionally, Vansda National Park is a paradise for arachnophiles (spider lovers) as they can find more than 120 different species of spiders in this forest.
10. Traverse the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Apart from Vansda National Park, you can also explore the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a two-hour drive north of Saputara hill station. If you are planning a day trip from Saputara you can explore this wildlife sanctuary.
The sanctuary not only supports mammal life, bird life, insects and reptiles but it also has a good population of tribals. Hence, you can find eco-stays that make use of tribal culture, and accommodations to give you a unique experience.
11. Learn About the Local Tribal Culture
While Saputara hill station might not be as popular as Lonavala or Mahabaleshwar it still has a lot to offer. While you are here you can also visit various temples and religious sites like Nageshwar Mahadev Temple.
If you are into art and culture, you can visit the Tribal Museum showcasing tribal jewellery, handicrafts, and artefacts of the local Dang tribe. You may also visit the Artists Village which is a cooperative of local artisans encouraging traditional pottery, handicrafts and paintings.
When you are heading to Saputara hill station during the monsoon you can also in the Saputara Monsoon Festival (Megh Malhar Parv Saputara), an annual festival to celebrate monsoon.
Conclusion
With its pleasant weather conditions, stunning scenery and amazing options, Saputara hill station offers a refreshing retreat from the arid landscape typical of Gujarat. Being located at such a high altitude it remains the only hill station in Gujarat, but offers a value-for-money experience.
The monsoons bring lush greenery to the region making it a perfect weekend getaway spot for those who want to enjoy a short holiday. However, being a hill station there is not much nightlife in Saputara apart from the options you find within the resorts.
Hence, if you want to spend a tranquil holiday in the lap of nature then Saputara hill station in Gujarat should be your next holiday destination.
4 comments
I am always pleasantly surprised to see how many of these beautiful areas are accessible by rail. Your railroad system brings so many interesting places within reach. That’s a wonderful asset.
That’s true, Dan. However, in my opinion this one is still not very railroad friendly location. The distance between the train station and Saputara is 50 kilometres (32 miles) and for us that’s quite a distance. On the other hand, hill stations like Lonavala, Khandala, Matheran, and Igatpuri are more railroad friendly. Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar also do not have train stations so they are also not very train-friendly destinations. However, trains can bring you closer to these locations. Thank for you for commenting and visiting this page, Dan.
I came back while the “Internet gods” were still somewhat cooperative. I couldn’t get all the lovely photos, but managed to see several. However, I was more interested in your writeup. I enjoyed the meaning behind the “Saputara” name — very evocative, and it added a rather mysterious vibe to the post. Many people romanticize train stations (and there are some beautiful ones), so they intrigue me. The idea of the “hill stations” you often mention has the same effect on my imagination. It’s a lovely post. I never cared much for nightlife, but many of your readers will, so that was good to bring out. Hugs to you and Sarah.
I try to minimize my image size as much as I can to ensure that it doesn’t take time to load for visitors with slow internet connection. I know there are many Indian travel bloggers who do better job than me at pictures. However, I believe my strength lies in giving out historical information and some unique trivia that others miss out. Yeah, nightlife is important to people who want to go out with their loved ones for fine dining or some bar food. However, not all hill stations are fully commercialized. Thanks for visiting my travel blog and reading these posts, Teagan. hugs to you from us. 🙂