Junagadh & GirnarTravel Guide
A sacred mountain of roughly ten thousand steps — Jain and Hindu summit temples, the ropeway, Uparkot Fort and the Bhavnath fair.
~10k
steps to the summit
2 days
comfortable stay
2 faiths
Jain & Hindu tirth
85 km
to Somnath
Junagadh sits at the foot of Girnar, a sacred mountain climbed by Jain and Hindu pilgrims alike. The ascent is a stone stairway of roughly ten thousand steps to temples near the summit, and a ropeway now carries visitors part of the way. Around it lie Uparkot Fort, the Ashoka rock edict and the Bhavnath fair — a full two-day base rather than a half-day stop.
Why people climb Girnar
Girnar is holy to two faiths at once. Its summit temples are among the most revered Jain tirths in western India, while Hindus climb to the shrines of Amba Mata, Gorakhnath and Dattatreya higher up. The annual Lili Parikrama circles the whole massif, and the Bhavnath fair at Shivratri draws sadhus from across the country.
Best time to visit
October to March is the comfortable window for the climb — cool mornings and clear air. Avoid the summer months, when the stone steps turn punishing by mid-morning. The mountain is busiest during the Lili Parikrama and the Bhavnath fair, so plan around them unless the crowd is the reason you are going.
What you come for
Girnar climb
How to reach Junagadh
By Air
Rajkot ~100 km
By Rail
Junagadh station · Ahmedabad–Veraval line
By Road
From Rajkot, Somnath or Gir
Junagadh has its own railway station on the Ahmedabad–Veraval line and is an easy road drive from Rajkot (about two hours) and Somnath. The nearest airport is Rajkot, roughly 100 km away. The Girnar taleti — the foot of the climb — is a short local hop from the town centre.
Girnar, step by step
Pilgrims start the climb before dawn to reach the summit temples before the heat — plan your day around that.
In & around Junagadh
Key distances
Junagadh sits between Gir and Somnath — most travellers fold the Girnar climb into the wider Saurashtra circuit.
| From | To | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junagadh | Girnar taleti (climb base) | ≈ 5 km | ~ 15 min |
| Junagadh | Somnath | ≈ 85 km | ~ 2 hr |
| Junagadh | Sasan Gir | ≈ 60 km | ~ 1.5 hr |
| Junagadh | Rajkot | ≈ 100 km | ~ 2 hr |
Ways to visit Junagadh & Girnar
Staying overnight? Find a place to stay in Junagadh →
Girnar on the map
Junagadh & Girnar FAQs
How many steps is the Girnar climb?
Can I take the ropeway instead of climbing?
How many days do I need for Junagadh and Girnar?
Can Junagadh be combined with Somnath and Gir?
Plan the climb
Tell us your dates and fitness, and we will plan the climb, the ropeway and the rest of the circuit.
Somnath + Dwarka
Gujarat, India