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HILLS · VIEWPOINTS · HIDDEN GEMAravalli Hills Traverse
The world's oldest mountains — the Aravalli range in Gujarat, ancient Pre-Cambrian ridges rolling through Aravalli district, offering viewpoints, seasonal streams and the kind of landscape that invites walking at no particular speed.
Walking the world's oldest hills
The Aravalli Hills are among the oldest mountain ranges on earth — Pre-Cambrian in origin, once as tall as the Himalayas, now worn to gentle rolling ridges by a billion years of erosion. In Aravalli district, they are at their most accessible and their most beautiful.
The hills here are not dramatic peaks. They are layered, forested ridges that change colour through the day — blue in morning haze, red-gold at dusk, deep green in monsoon. Seasonal streams run between the rocks in July and August; winter brings clear skies and sharp horizons.
For walking, the trails between Shamlaji, Polo Forest and the Meshvo Reservoir traverse genuinely wild landscape. There are no formal routes — you follow forest tracks and ridgeline paths, or ask in local villages for the old trails between settlements. (No organised trails. Ask locally for guides and paths.)
Aravalli Hills, Aravalli district — the ancient ridges.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Aravalli Hills, Aravalli district.
The Aravalli range is Pre-Cambrian in origin — among the oldest surviving mountain systems anywhere on the planet.
Once towering as high as the Himalayas, the ridges have been worn down to rolling forested hills over a billion years of erosion.
Through the medieval centuries the wooded hills were Bhil tribal country — forest, settlement and the old paths between villages.
The hills remain wild, quiet and beautiful — self-guided walking country with no formal trails and few other visitors.
Reasons to make the time
Ancient hills
A billion years old — among the oldest mountains on earth.
Walking
Forest tracks and ridgelines, almost entirely free of crowds.
Viewpoints
Hilltops that open to red-gold dusk panoramas.
Streams
Seasonal monsoon waterways run between the rocks.
Wildlife
Forest birds, raptors and the quiet life of the ridges.
Landscape
Ever-changing light, from blue morning haze to golden evening.
What to look for inside
Aravalli Hills
Ancient and rolling — the worn Pre-Cambrian ridges.
Hilltops
Dusk panoramas from the high points along the range.
Polo Forest tracks
Wooded trails between Shamlaji and the deeper hills.
Seasonal streams
Monsoon waterways threading the rocks in July and August.
Shamlaji approach
The natural starting point for walks into the range.
Golden-hour ridges
Layered hills turning red-gold in the last light of day.
How to spend an hour or two
Drive the ridge roads
The hill roads are best in the early morning, when the ridges are blue with haze and the air is still cool.
Walk from Shamlaji
Set out on the hill trails from Shamlaji — forest tracks lead up into genuinely wild Aravalli landscape.
Find a viewpoint
Climb to a hilltop for dusk, when the rolling ridges fold away to the horizon in red and gold.
Walk to a stream
In monsoon or early winter, follow the seasonal waterways that run between the rocks.
Ask villagers for trails
There are no marked routes — local knowledge unlocks the old paths between settlements.
Watch the light change
Stay still and watch the hills transform from haze-blue morning to deep green and gold.
Visit Polo Forest
Pair the ridges with the medieval Jain ruins set deep in the Polo forest nearby.
Sit by the Meshvo
Rest by the Meshvo Reservoir, a serene Aravalli lake gathered among the hills.
Aravalli Hills — Pre-Cambrian ridges.
The ancient Aravalli ridges
The Aravalli Hills in Aravalli district are among the earth’s oldest surviving geological features — Pre-Cambrian ridges worn to rolling forested hills over a billion years, now offering quiet walking and spectacular dusk light.
There are no organised trails; the range is wild and self-guided. Ask locally for guides and paths, and walk from Shamlaji, Polo or Bhiloda into landscape that has changed almost nothing in human memory.
Pre-Cambrian ridges — among the world’s oldest
Rolling forested hills; seasonal streams
No organised trails — wild and self-guided
Best walked from Shamlaji, Polo or Bhiloda
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal. Comfortable all day, sharp horizons and the best light on the ridges.
Lush and green, with seasonal streams running — but hill roads may flood, so tread carefully.
Hot and dry. Still walkable if you start at first light and rest through the middle of the day.
⏰ October to March is ideal for Aravalli — cool, clear days and long golden evenings on the hills.
Timings & entry
- The hills are open country with no gates or fixed hours
- Walk in daylight only; the ridges are unlit
- Allow 1–2 hours for a short walk, a full day for a traverse
- There are no facilities once you leave the villages
- No ticket or permit is required to walk the hills
- Local guides may charge a small fee — agreed informally
- Carry your own water, food and a basic map
- Leave no litter; this is wild, living landscape
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is about 130 km away — roughly a three-hour drive to the hills.
By Rail
The nearest railheads are Himmatnagar and Modasa, both well connected to Ahmedabad and onward into north Gujarat.
By Road
Drive via NH-48 and Modasa; Shamlaji is the natural trailhead, with Polo Forest and Bhiloda within easy reach.
Shooting the Aravalli hills
GOLDEN-HOUR FRIENDLY
Layered ridges, long shadows and light that changes all day.
Best light
Come at first light or for dusk — low sun rakes across the ridges and turns the hills red-gold.
What to shoot
The rolling ridgelines, hilltop panoramas, seasonal streams and the blue haze of distant hills.
Be respectful
Stay on tracks, give space to villagers and wildlife, and keep the quiet of the hills intact.
Gear tip
A wide lens captures the layered ridges; a short telephoto compresses them into folds of hills.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Harishchandra Chori
◐ Carved stone
Polo Forest Edge
Wooded trails spilling into the district
Dev ni Mori
Ancient monastery ruins with Buddha relics
Modasa
The bustling district headquarters
Vatrak Riverfront
Calm banks of the Vatrak river
Tribal Shrines
Sacred groves of the Bhil communities
Where to eat around the ashram
Gujarati Thali
Hearty home cooking — an unlimited Gujarati thali in the small towns nearby.
Farsan
Gujarat's famous savoury snacks, fresh from the local market stalls.
Street food
Roadside dhabas along the Modasa route serve simple, filling local fare.
Tribal & home flavours
This is Adivasi country — look out for millets and forest produce alongside classic Gujarati cooking.
Aravalli Hills Traverse FAQ
How old are the Aravallis?
They are Pre-Cambrian in origin — over a billion years old, and among the oldest mountain ranges on earth.
Are there organised treks?
No. There are no marked routes — ask locally for guides and the old village paths.
What is the best base?
Shamlaji or Polo Forest make the best bases for walking into the hills.
When should I visit?
October to March is ideal; visit in monsoon if you want to see the seasonal streams and waterfalls.
Is there an entry fee?
None. The hills are open country with no ticket or permit required.
How long should I plan?
A short walk takes one to two hours; allow a full day for a proper traverse of the ridges.
How do I get there?
Drive via NH-48 and Modasa to Shamlaji; Ahmedabad airport is about 130 km away.
Is it safe to walk alone?
Go with a local guide where you can, tell someone your route, and always walk in daylight.
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