Five peaks, hundreds of temples and a stone stairway of about 9,999 steps — Girnar rewards careful planning. This page takes the climb one stage at a time.
In this guide
Girnar in brief
Girnar counts among the oldest hill ranges in India and is one of Gujarat’s foremost pilgrimage centres. Its five principal peaks are linked with Gorakhnath, Amba Mata (Ambaji), Dattatreya, Kalka and Oghad (Anusuya). The stairway begins at Girnar Taleti, and the range’s highest point — the Gorakhnath peak, about 1,117 metres — is the tallest in Gujarat.
The stairway, stage by stage
Counts differ slightly between sources, but the ascent generally runs like this:
| Stage | Approx. steps | What waits there |
|---|---|---|
| The base at Bhavnath Taleti | 0 | Bhavnath Mahadev temple, Mrigi Kund, Damodar Kund close by |
| Jain temple complex | about 4,000 to 4,500 | Neminath temple (12th century), Mallinath temples and other domed Jain shrines |
| Amba Mata (Ambaji) temple | about 5,000 | The first Hindu peak, where the ropeway ends |
| Gorakhnath peak | about 2,000 further | The summit of Girnar; a shrine tied to Guru Gorakhnath’s sadhana |
| Kamandal Kund | a descent of about 1,000 | A sacred pool on the way to the last peak |
| Dattatreya peak | final 999 steps | The shrine holding the padukas (sacred footprints) of Guru Dattatreya |
How long to allow
Give it a full day. Getting to the Jain temples and Amba Mata takes much of a morning for most walkers, and continuing to the Gorakhnath and Dattatreya peaks and then coming back down adds many hours. Strong trekkers move faster; elders and small children often turn back at the Jain temples or at Ambaji.
What time to start
The usual plan is to set off between 4 and 5 a.m., climbing in cool air and arriving at the upper shrines in time for sunrise and early darshan. A few pilgrims start around midnight. Many hill temples close for a rest through the middle of the day, so beginning early also means you find them open. Timings change, so verify locally.
Ropeway and doli
A ropeway links the base with the Amba Mata temple, covering roughly the first 5,000 steps within minutes. Slots can often be reserved online, and running hours shift with the season and the weather, so check before your visit. Past Ambaji the route to the Gorakhnath and Dattatreya peaks is on foot. Those unable to walk can hire a traditional doli (palanquin) at the base.
The right months
- November to February — cool and clear, the best months for climbing.
- Kartik (October–November) — the season of the Lili Parikrama; see our Lili Parikrama guide.
- Maha Shivratri — time of the Bhavnath Mela; read the Bhavnath Mela guide.
- Steer clear of the monsoon (June–September), when steps turn slippery, and of the harsh heat of April and May.
What to carry
- Plenty of drinking water and light food — fruit, nuts or glucose
- Comfortable closed shoes or grippy sandals, plus a cap or scarf
- A torch or phone light for the pre-dawn start
- A light extra layer; the top can be breezy and cool in winter
- Any regular medicines, and cash or UPI for tea stalls and doli fares
- Modest clothes for temples — footwear comes off at the shrines
A bed at the base
Spending the night at Bhavnath Taleti means you start from the stairway itself, with no transfer from town in the dark. Triloknath Ashram is here, in the Nath tradition of Guru Gorakhnath — whose peak is on this very climb. Browse our room categories or call +91 96274 27283 to check availability.
Curious about the Nath link? Read Guru Gorakhnath and the Nath Sampradaya: Girnar’s Sacred Link.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps are there on Girnar?
Close to 9,999 steps reach the last peak, Dattatreya; the Amba Mata temple is about 5,000 steps up and the Gorakhnath peak roughly 2,000 beyond.
Which months suit the climb best?
November through February. Skip the monsoon, when steps are slippery, and the scorching days of April and May.
When do most people begin?
Most climbers set out between 4 and 5 a.m. to dodge the heat and find the temples open; a few leave around midnight.
Can I take a ropeway up?
Yes — one connects the base to the Amba Mata temple, skipping roughly the first 5,000 steps. Verify the timings and reserve a slot.
Where exactly is the Gorakhnath shrine?
On Girnar’s summit, around 1,117 metres, which you reach beyond the Amba Mata temple.