A cascade in the forest
Shankar Waterfall (Shankar Dhodh), in the forested hills near Dharampur in eastern Valsad, is one of the lovely off-beat waterfalls of south Gujarat. Fed by monsoon streams in the Sahyadri country, the falls tumble over rock into a pool amid green forest — a refreshing and scenic spot popular with day-trippers and nature lovers, especially in and just after the rains.
Set close to Wilson Hills and the tribal, wooded landscape around Dharampur, it makes a fine addition to a trip into the green eastern reaches of Valsad. A cool forest escape — a forest waterfall, fullest in monsoon; take care near the water.
Shankar Waterfall.
A forest pool below Wilson Hills
The cascade.
The falls are fed entirely by monsoon runoff from the Sahyadri hills above Dharampur, so they exist as a waterfall only for part of the year.
Water drops over a rock lip into a pool below, with dense moist-deciduous forest on the slopes around it.
This is tribal country — the eastern Valsad hills are home to Warli, Dhodia and Kunbi communities, and the surrounding villages are theirs.
Wilson Hills, the small colonial-era hill station on the plateau above, is close enough to pair with the falls in a single trip.
Reasons to make the time
Forest waterfall
A clean drop over rock into a pool, modest in scale but attractive, and set in genuinely green surroundings.
Sahyadri setting
The Sahyadri foothills here are wooded and hilly, a landscape most visitors do not associate with Gujarat at all.
Monsoon power
The falls run strongest from July to September and for a few weeks after; by late winter the flow is much reduced or gone.
Near Wilson Hills
Wilson Hills, the Dharampur tribal museum and the surrounding forest villages make this a half-day rather than a single stop.
Refreshing pool
The forest around the pool is thick and cool, and the temperature difference from the plain below is noticeable.
Off-beat
Fewer crowds.
What to look for inside
THE FALLSShankar Dhodh
A forest cascade.
THE SETTINGSahyadri
Wooded hills.
Fullest after rain
The falls run strongest in and just after the monsoon.
A forest pool
A refreshing pool amid green forest below the cascade.
Wilson Hills
A green Sahyadri plateau close by, a fine pairing.
Quiet forest
An off-beat spot in the tribal country of Dharampur.
How to spend an hour or two
See the falls
Come during or just after the monsoon, between July and October, which is the only period the falls are genuinely worth the drive.
Visit after monsoon
Take proper footwear. The approach is over wet rock and the last stretch is unmade and slippery in the rain.
Enjoy the pool
Be careful near the pool. Rocks under the spray are treacherous and the flow can rise quickly after rain upstream.
Explore the forest
Pair the falls with Wilson Hills on the plateau above and the tribal museum at Dharampur.
Pair with Wilson Hills
Go early on a weekday if you can — this is a popular local day-trip and it gets busy at weekends in season.
Take care near water
Carry your rubbish out. The site has no facilities and litter is already a problem at the pool.
Shankar Waterfall.
A forest cascade
Shankar Waterfall is a scenic, monsoon-fed cascade in the forested Sahyadri hills near Dharampur — tumbling into a pool amid green forest, an off-beat spot close to Wilson Hills and the tribal country of eastern Valsad. A cool forest escape. Take care near the water.
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Valsad travel guide.
A monsoon-fed forest waterfall
In the Sahyadri near Dharampur
A pool amid green forest
Close to Wilson Hills
When to go
Cool, dry and pleasant.
Green and atmospheric.
Hot; mango season.
⏰ Visit in the cool, dry winter; the hills are greenest after the monsoon.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Best in the cool season
- An easy Valsad stop
- Pair with nearby sights
- Free to visit
- Fullest after monsoon
- Rocks are slippery
- Carry water & shoes
Getting there
By Air
Surat airport (~90 km).
By Rail
Valsad / Vapi Junction.
By Road
Valsad / Vapi.
At Shankar Waterfall
WATER & FOREST
A cascade near the hills
What to shoot
The falls.
Best time
After monsoon.
Setting
Forest hills.
Best light
Morning.
Know before you go
More to see close by
MUSEUMLady Wilson Museum
Tribal art & relics in Dharampur
SACREDUdvada Atash Behram
India’s oldest Zoroastrian holy fire
Barumal Shiva Temple
A serene riverside forest shrine
Parnera Hanuman
A hilltop temple within the old fort
Sai Baba Temple
A peaceful seaside shrine at Tithal
FORTParnera Hill & Fort
A hilltop fort with sweeping views
Where to eat near Shankar Waterfall
Gujarati Thali
South-Gujarat meals.
Dhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
Coastal snacks
By the beach.
Mango city
Famous Alphonso (Hafus) mango, chikoo & Parsi fare.
Shankar Waterfall FAQ
What is Shankar Waterfall?
Shankar Waterfall (Shankar Dhodh), in the forested hills near Dharampur in eastern Valsad, is one of the lovely off-beat waterfalls of south Gujarat. Fed by monsoon streams in the Sahyadri country, the falls tumble over rock into a pool amid green forest — a refreshing and scenic spot popular with day-trippers and nature lovers, especially in and just after the rains.
Where is it?
near Dharampur, Valsad.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When should I visit?
October to March, the cool, dry season.
What's nearby?
Tithal, Udvada, Wilson Hills and Parnera.
How long does it take?
Half a day.
Related places across Gujarat
TOWNGodhra
The district’s bustling headquarters
SACREDNavsari Atash Behram
One of India’s holiest Parsi fires
CHAR DHAMDwarkadhish Temple
Krishna’s grand five-storey temple on the Gomti
RIVERNarmada Backwaters
Calm reaches near Sardar Sarovar
4Nagina Masjid
A jewel-like mosque standing alone in the fields
6Dharampur Villages
Living tribal culture deep in the Ghats
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026