Saputara is Gujarat's only hill station, perched on a plateau at about 1,000 metres in the Dang forest area of the Sahyadri Range. The climate is cool even in summer, with temperatures rarely exceeding 28 degrees. The name means "abode of serpents" -- a snake image on the banks of the river Sarpagana is worshipped by the local Adivasi people.
The town has been developed as a planned hill resort with parks, a lake with boating, a ropeway, and a small museum. It is a popular weekend getaway for families, especially from Surat (164 km) and Mumbai. The surrounding Dang forests offer good walking, and excursions can be made to the wildlife sanctuary at Mahal Bardipara (60 km) and the Gira Waterfalls (52 km).
Getting there: The nearest airport is Mumbai. The nearest railway station is Waghai on the Bilimora-Waghai line. State transport buses and private coaches connect Saputara to major cities in Gujarat and Maharashtra. From Ahmedabad, it is 409 km.