Polo Forest is a lesser-known but genuinely striking destination in northern Gujarat, a dense forest scattered with the ruins of medieval temples and step-wells, largely reclaimed by nature and rarely crowded even durin…
NewNo reviews yet
—Suggested visit
—Entry (Indian)
3Views
Introduction
Polo Forest is a lesser-known but genuinely striking destination in northern Gujarat, a dense forest scattered with the ruins of medieval temples and step-wells, largely reclaimed by nature and rarely crowded even during peak season. The combination of trekking trails, river crossings and semi-hidden ruins gives Polo Forest an adventurous, exploratory character distinct from Gujarat's more conventional heritage sites.
Camping trips organised in and around the forest have grown in popularity in recent years, offering visitors a chance to experience the area's wildlife and scenery — including a resident leopard population — over more than a single day, away from the state's busier tourist circuits.
History
The ruined temples scattered through Polo Forest date to around the 10th-15th centuries under successive dynasties, though the settlements themselves were abandoned centuries ago, leaving the forest to gradually reclaim much of the built heritage.
Best time to visit
October to February.
How to reach
About 160km from Ahmedabad, roughly 4 hours by road.
