25 Popular Ropeway Getaways in India

Taking a ride on a cable car is probably one of the best ways to see a city. The ride maximizes one’s travel experience and offers impeccable ways to view the beauty of nature. India is perhaps one of the major markets for ropeways and most of the hill stations have installed a proficient cable car system for better transport facilities. Ropeways, along with skiers facilitate devotees to reach comfortably temples like Ambaji, Karni Mata and Chandi Devi that are located atop the hill. Let’s have a look at some of the great ropeways and their locations in India.

Gulmarg Gondola, Jammu & Kashmir

Say hello to Asia’s largest cable car project, Gulmarg Gondola which connects Gulmarg resort to Aparwath Peak that stands 4200m tall. It is a two-stage ropeway, the first stage connects Gulmarg resort to Kongdori station (3747m) in the Kongdori Valley and the second stage chair car ferries skiers to Aparwath Peak from Kongdori station. The Gondola carries 6 people at a time and costs around Rs 600 for the first stage and Rs 800 for the second stage.

Auli Cable Car, Uttarakhand

Along with skiing, the 4kms long cable car is the main attraction in Auli. It connects Joshimath with Auli and offer magnificent views of the Himalaya. The lowest tower of the ropeway is at 1906m from MSL and the uppermost tower is at 3016 m. Taking 15 minutes to complete a ride at speed of 5 m/sec, it is the best start one can have to an exciting Auli trip. There are also chair-lift and ski-lift available and cost around Rs 400 for a round trip.

Manali Ropeway, Himachal Pradesh

About 15kms from Manali is Solang Valley, which is the hub of winter sports in Himachal Pradesh. Manali Ropeway is the major attraction here as it offers visitors breathtaking views. The majestic ride begins from Solang Valley and ends at Mt. Phatru (3200m).

Raigad Ropeway, Maharashtra

Raigad Ropeway is an important means for commuting to the Raigad Fort. The fort is perched on a hill and holds a significant place in Indian history as it was the place that great Shivaji Maharaj chose as his capital when he was crowned King of the Maratha Kingdom. The ascent of the ropeway is 420 m and the rope length is 760 m. The ride cost for an adult is Rs. 286 and for children is Rs. 143.

Ropeway at Dhuandhaar, Madhya Pradesh

The Ropeway, which stretches across the Dhuandhar Falls in Jabalpur, is the best way to get a panoramic view of the majestic waterfall. It is a 1140m long ropeway that provides direct link between the main entry point and the picturesque waterfall popularly known as ‘Bandar Kodini’ in the middle of the river Narmada. The cost of the ride is Rs.55 per person (To & Fro).

Cable Car in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

This is one of the best ropeways in India as it offers the magnificent view. The ropeway starts from midway of the Mall and runs up to Gun Hill (2530m). On a clear day, one has the opportunity to view several peaks, including Bandarpunch. The ideal time to take a ride is an hour before sunset, when one can see one of the best views of the sun going down. The charge for the cable ride is between Rs 50 and Rs 100.

Gangtok Ropeway, Sikkim

It is one of the major attractions in Gangtok city for tourists. The ropeway is 1km long and begins from Deorali market. There are three stations in the entire stretch, the first one being Deorali, second is Namnang and the last one is Tashiling. One can get the view of Kanchenjunga snow peak, the valleys and river flowing some 3500 feet below.

Ropeway of Rajgir, Bihar

Situated in one of the most scenic cities of Bihar, this ropeway is quite popular amongst the tourists. The ropeway is about 5km south of the town and runs to the top of Ratnagiri Hill and its lofty white 40m-high Vishwashanti Stupa. It is a single-person ropeway, which means only one person at a time can enjoy this ride.

Glenmorgan Ropeway, Tamil Nadu

The 3km ropeway is a major tourist attraction in Ooty. The rope way is two stage ride that starts from a power house in Singara to Glenmorgan, which is near a stretch called the German Point. It takes about an hour to reach from one point to other and one has the opportunity to get the incredible views of the surrounding of tea estates.

Darjeeling Ropeway, West Bengal

Also known as Rangeet Valley Cable Car project, this ropeway stretches between Singamari and Singla Bazaar. One has to descend from a height of 7000ft to 800ft and gets an opportunity to take a bird’s eye view of the dense forests, mountain ridges, waterfalls, flowing rivers, green valleys and tea gardens. Initially started with one cable car in 1968, today there are about 16 cars here.

Srisailam Ropeway, Telangana

The ropeway in Srisailam offers beautiful view of mountain, river and lush green forest around it. Srisailam is a holy place and is famed for the Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cable car ride is not very long; in fact it hardly takes 5 minutes to ascend and descend. However, the view is what you would like from here.

Malampuzha Udan Khatola, Kerala

The Udan Khatola in Malampuzha Gardens happens to be a one of its kind ropeway in South India. The ropeway has 64 two-seater chairs, and has clear glass walls so that one can take a look outside. It ferries people to a height of 60 feet above ground level in 20 minutes. One can enjoy the aerial views of the gardens and the reservoir.

Ropeway at Maihar, Madhya Pradesh

This ropeway was established to help the physically disabled and elderly devotees to reach Maihar Devi Temple. The holy Hindu shrine is situated on Trikuta Hill, before the set up of the ropeway the devotees had to climb 1000 steps to enter the portal of the temple. The cable car now ferries devotees for a price of merely Rs 45.

Ropeway at Mahakali Pavagadh, Gujarat

This ropeway is also known as the Maa Mahakali ka Udankhatola and helps the devotees to reach the Kalika Mata Temple in Pavagadh, Gujarat in no time. It saves the devotees from the hassle of climbing stairs to the temple and thus has gained a lot of popularity here. The cable car ferries devotees in the time of six minutes from the base of the mountain at Machi to the temple.

Chandi Devi Udan Khatola, Uttarakhand

As the name suggests this ropeway connects to Maa Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar. The Chandi temple is one of three important temples of Haridwar, the other two being Mansa Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. Tickets are available at the base of the hill and it is advised to take a round trip ticket, which will be cheaper than the single round ticket. If you wish to visit both Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi, then combo tickets are also available.

Dongargarh Ropeway, Chhattisgarh

This ropeway is established to help devotees reach Maa bambleshwari temple conveniently. The temple is situated on a hilltop at Dongargarh in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. It is the only rope-way travel system set up in Chhattisgarh state. The magnificient view from the top is yet another attraction for the devotees who come to seek the blessings of Bamleshwari Devi.

Salkanpur Ropeway, Madhya Pradesh

Salkanpur Ropeway connects the Salkanpur Devi Temple to the foot of the hill. The temple is perched on a hillock in Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh and the cable car is the easiest way to reach this important Hindu shrine. A ride in the cable car offers a beautiful view of the surrounding lush forest.

Karni Mata Ropeway, Rajasthan

Also known as the Udaipur Ropeway, this cable car project connects the Karni Mata Mandir with Doodh Talai. Karni Mata is a major Hindu temple in Udaipur; thus a large of number of tourists throng here. In order to help the devotees reach the shrine easily and quickly this ropeway system was established.

Ropeway to Mansa Devi, Uttarakhand

Offering convenience to the devotees, this ropeway ferries a large number of pilgrims each day. The Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand is a popular temple and is situated on the top of the Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills. Through the glass windows of the cable car you can witness the panoramic view of the city, which indeed is splendid.

Naina Devi Ropeway, Himachal Pradesh

This cable car project was set up for the convenience of the devotees who visit Maa Naina Devi Temple. The temple is situated in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh and is situated on a hilltop. The ropeway offers an incredible view of the surrounding hills and of Gobind Sagar Lake.

Ropeway at Jivdani Temple, Maharashtra

This ropeway system was established to help the devotees to reach Jivdani Temple easily and quickly. Jivdani Temple is a famous temple in Virar, North Mumbai and is perched atop one of the hills of the Satpura range. A round trip ride costs about Rs. 150 and the return ticket is only Rs. 50.

Ambaji Ropeway, Gujarat

The Ambaji Ropeway system offer a comfortable ride to the famous temple of Goddess Durga located in Gujarat. Cable cars run between Giri Taleti and temple of Ambaji. This ropeway trip from Gabber Hill passes through many beautiful sightseeing places and offers splendid aerial views.

Ropeway in Deoghar, Jharkhand

The Ropeway at Trikuta Hills at Deoghar is also known as Gagan Khatola. It takes passengers from the base of Trikut to the top of peak and back. It takes around 10 minutes for one cable car to reach the Cliff and the ropeway carries 4 people in a Single Car. About 25 Cars are in operation at present and the cost of the ride is Rs 50.

Saputara Ropeway, Gujarat

The Saputara ropeway is in Dang district in Gujarat and connects the Governor’s hill with the base of the mountain. The ropeway starts from the Vaity Resort and ends at the Sunset Point. It takes about 15 minute to reach the top of the hill and meanwhile one can enjoy the spectacular bird’s eye view of Saputara. The cable car does not operate without a minimum of twelve passengers and the cost of a ticket is Rs 40.

Parwanoo Ropeway, Himachal Pradesh

Also known as Timber Trail, the Parwanoo ropeway is situated about 35kms from Chandigarh city. It is spread over two hills and the cable car works at a height of around 5000 ft offering an indescribable view of the surrounding mountain ranges and of the Kaushalya River meandering its way between the two hills.

Embarking on one of these aerial trampides is an amazing experience. Next time, if you are around one of these destinations where ropeway is available, book your ticket happily for a cable car ride and be ready to get amazed!