Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Junagadh: History, highlights and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Girnar range has been a place of worship for centuries, and the forest on its slopes was later protected. The wildlife sanctuary was declared in 2008 and covers roughly 178.8 sq km around the hills. It sits within the wider Saurashtra landscape and acts as a satellite habitat for the lions of Gir.

In July 2026 the state announced extra safety measures for the sanctuary area after a lion attack near the Girnar steps: permanent checkposts, a standard operating procedure for pilgrim safety under the district collector, silence zones on the Girnar and Datar steps routes, forest trackers and drone surveillance.

Useful facts

Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance

Location

Girnar hill range, eastern edge of Junagadh

Experience type

Forest edge walks and the pilgrim steps; not a safari

Known for

Asiatic lions, leopards, Girnari giddh vultures

Declared

2008, covering about 178.8 sq km

Time or schedule

No visitor hours published; avoid night movement

Access

On foot via the steps; rules changed in 2026, check locally

Why it matters

Why Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time

Girnar is not just a holy hill. The forest around it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2008, covering about 178.8 sq km, and it works as a satellite habitat for Asiatic lions outside the main Gir protected area. Reports describe lion numbers here rising from a handful in 1999 to around fifty, which shows the success of long-running conservation in Saurashtra.

That shapes how you visit. Pilgrims, tourists and large animals share the same slopes, and big gatherings such as the Bhavnath fair add noise and waste to the habitat. Walking up quietly, keeping to the steps and respecting the new rules is part of the experience. It is also what makes Junagadh different from most pilgrimage towns: wild leopards and lions live a short distance above the city.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   Lions beyond Gir

   Girnar is a satellite home for Asiatic lions, with reports of about fifty animals, though visitors rarely see them.

2. 02

   Forest along the steps

   Dry deciduous woodland, rock and scrub line the climb, with langurs, deer and many birds in the early hours.

3. 03

   Girnari giddh

   The long-billed vulture is described as found only on Girnar, a reason for birdwatchers to look up from the steps.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Think of the sanctuary as the setting for your Girnar visit rather than a separate attraction. Most people see it from the pilgrim route: the steps rise through dry deciduous forest, scrub and rock from the foothills at Bhavnath and Damodar Kund. Start at first light, carry water, and keep to the steps and signed paths.

The animals are real but elusive. Published accounts name Asiatic lions, leopards, sambar, spotted deer, nilgai, wild boar, hyenas and jackals, plus resident and migratory birds, and the long-billed vulture is the local speciality known as Girnari giddh. As a day visitor, you are far more likely to notice langurs, birds and tracks than a big cat. Never stray off the steps, walk in groups, and do not climb at night.

If you want a managed wildlife outing, the usual choice is Gir National Park, a separate safari destination. Girnar suits those who want forest, temples and views in one effort. After a fatal lion incident near the steps in 2026, authorities announced silence zones, checkposts and trackers on the route, so follow staff instructions and ask locally for the latest rules.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Girnar hill range on the eastern edge of Junagadh, Gujarat

Time needed

Half a day around the foothills; a full day or more for the Girnar climb

Best time

October to March; early morning for cooler air and birdsong, avoiding the hot months and the heavy monsoon

Walking level

Demanding

Senior comfort

Access is mostly on foot via the steps or by ropeway to the first stage, and the forest around is uneven and unfenced. Older travellers can enjoy the foothills at Bhavnath and Damodar Kund; the long climb is hard going with limited seating and no shelter from heat.

Tickets and access

No separate entry ticket for the sanctuary is published, and no safari or permit system for visitors has been confirmed. The Gujarat Forest Department and Junagadh administration set the rules and, after a recent wildlife incident near the steps, announced new safety measures. Confirm current access, timings and any night restrictions locally before you go.

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