Gabbar Hill Ambaji Trek
Banaskantha, Gujarat
Opens without signal on this phone, with the map file and checklist. Saved for offline →
- Max altitude
- 620 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 1 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
A short pilgrim climb of about 999 stone steps on a rocky hill; the steep, exposed steps are tiring in summer heat, but there is no technical ground and a ropeway is available.
About this trek
Gabbar Hill Ambaji
Gabbar is a small hill at Ambaji in Gujarat with the Ambaji Mata shrine, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, at the top. Pilgrims climb about 999 steps, or take the ropeway built in 1998 that rises 138 m over a 363 m run. The climb is short but steep and exposed, so it is best done early in the morning. It suits pilgrims and casual walkers of any age who can manage steps.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Gabbar steps entrance, Ambaji → Gabbar hilltop shrine and back
480 m → 620 m → 480 m
- About 999 steps lead up Gabbar hill to the shrine; the steps stay open even when the ropeway is closed.
- The ropeway covers 363 m with a 138 m vertical rise; operators quote daily hours of about 7 AM to 4 PM, so confirm locally.
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Gabbar Tirth steps entrance, Ambaji
at 480 mLoading forecast…
High point · Gabbar hilltop shrine (Bhagwati Amba's original seat)
at 620 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Gabbar Tirth steps entrance, Ambaji
- Nearest railway
- Abu Road (about 20-23 km)
- Nearest airport
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (about 180 km)
- By road
- Palanpur (about 100 km); Himatnagar (about 100 km); Khedbrahma (about 50 km); Ambaji town to the Gabbar base is about 4-4.5 km
- Drive
- About 4 h from Ahmedabad
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹200–1,500
With an operator
Free
Per person, ex-Ambaji. No guide is needed; guided prices do not apply. The steps are free to climb; the ropeway fare quoted by sources is about ₹125-141 one way or return (check at the counter). Self-guided range is an estimate covering local transport to the base, ropeway and offerings.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link- Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Store buttons open a search on that store, not a product we picked. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Photos show the kind of item, not a specific product. Affiliate disclosure
Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 18
Hot days in Mar: start at first light and carry extra water and ORS.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed; Ambaji town is a large pilgrim town and normally has mobile coverage.
- Last ATM
- Ambaji town (not confirmed which)
- Nearest hospital
- Ambaji Trust Hospital and the government General Hospital (cottage hospital) in Ambaji
- Water
- Not confirmed; carry water for the climb, especially in summer.
Highlights
- Darshan at the hilltop shrine, regarded as the mula pitha (original seat) of Bhagwati Amba, with sacred charan-padukas and an eternal flame
- About 999 steps climbed by devotees, or a short ropeway ride
- Views over Ambaji town, the valley and the Aravalli hills
- Part of the Ambaji Shakti Peeth, where the 51 Shaktipeeth parikrama sits at the foot of the hill
Risks
- Steep, exposed steps are hot and tiring from April to June; climb early morning and carry water.
- The Bhadarvi Poonam fair (usually September) draws millions of pilgrims to Ambaji; expect very heavy crowds and queues.
- The ropeway can close for maintenance (one notice gave 30 July to 2 August) or for weather; the steps stay open. Hours quoted by sources differ (7 AM to 4 PM or 7 PM), so confirm locally.
Know before you go
Questions
How many steps are there to Gabbar Hill?
Sources state 999 steps (about a thousand) lead to the hilltop shrine.
Is there a ropeway to Gabbar Hill?
Yes. An aerial ropeway runs from the base to the top, a rise of about 138 m over about 363 m. Fares quoted by sources are about ₹125 to ₹141 for an adult and ₹70-72 for a child; timings quoted are 7 AM to 4 PM or 7 PM, so confirm locally.
How far is Gabbar Hill from Ambaji temple?
About 4 to 4.5 km from Ambaji town, towards the south-west.
What is special about Gabbar Hill?
Devotees regard it as the original seat (mula pitha) of Bhagwati Amba. The cave shrine at the top has her sacred footprints and an eternal flame.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: BanaskanthaGujarat
- Nearest hospital
- Ambaji Trust Hospital and the government General Hospital (cottage hospital) in Ambaji
- Last ATM
- Ambaji town (not confirmed which)
- Phone network
- Not confirmed; Ambaji town is a large pilgrim town and normally has mobile coverage.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Gabbar Hill Ambaji
No questions yet. Ask something and trekkers who have done it can answer.
Share your trek photo with #TreksAndTrails
I trekked this
Did Gabbar Hill Ambaji look different from this page? Tell us what changed and we will check it.
Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Ambaji Mata Temple — Wikipedia
- Ambaji — Wikivoyage
- Ambaji Ropeway — Yatradham
Photos: KartikMistry, CC BY-SA 3.0; Pushkarbhokri, CC BY-SA 3.0; Keval Tank, CC BY-SA 4.0
