Places to Visit in and Around Patnitop
Overview
Patnitop is a beautiful hill station of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the Udhampur district, at an elevation of about 2024 meters, above sea level. Below we will discuss some of the sought-after places to visit in Patnitop. Take a glance!
The original name, “Patan Da Talab,” which roughly translates to “Pond of the Princess,” is deconstructed into the current name, Patnitop. The reason for this is because the king’s princess would take a bath in the pond that was once part of the verdant meadows and is still there now.
Patnitop is culturally significant among locals and tourists alike. As pilgrims are on their way to Maa Vaishno Devi, they often explore the tourist destination. Here, a number of temples and local attractions are present for sightseeing.
To get a holistic view of the entire region, visit Nathatop and Madhatop here. Explore the Sudh Mahadev and Naag temple as a part of your spiritual tour. Go on a stair hike at the Billo ki Powri.
You should plan a trip to Patnitop with Cliffhangers India to get the best of it. We assure you of a top-notch and memorable experience.
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01. Nathatop
Nathatop is one of the best places to visit in Patnitop. The local attraction is only 14 kilometres away and takes half an hour via cabs.
Sitting at an elevation of about 2711 meters, the top gives a panoramic view of both Jammu region and Kashmir Valley. The scenic sights of the Mighty Himalayas are unparalleled.
In summer, visitors often enjoy activities like paragliding, trekking, photography, sightseeing, etc.
If you are looking for a less-crowded and serene place for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, do visit Nathatop. Book your train tickets to Udhampur Railway Station to reach here.
02. Naag Mandir
The Naag Mandir in Patnitop has gained immense recognition spiritually and culturally. It is believed to be the sacred place where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati.
Built about 600 years ago, the temple is dedicated to Naag Devta. Pilgrims from all over the country come here to offer prayers and seek blessings.
One of the most popular festivals celebrated here is Naag Panchami. Visitors often carefully offer milk to the snakes.
They come with a wish and aspiration in their heart to be fulfilled and once it does, they come back to organise a Langer at the temple.
It is at a distance of about 42 kilometres from Patnitop and a road trip of one and half an hour is the time taken to reach the place.
03. Sanasar Village
Sanasar village is a popular place to visit near Patnitop. The village gets its name from the two lakes located here, “Sana” and “Sar”. Due to the gorgeous views found here, it is popularly called as “Mini Gulmarg of Jammu”.
The entire village and the popular Sanasar lake is tucked in by Shanti Ridge. As you visit the settlement, there are many activities to do here.
The most popular one is trekking such as the trek to Shanta Gala from Sanasar. More things to enjoy here include Paragliding, and Wilderness Adventure Camps(WAC).
The nearest railhead is Udhampur Railway Station. From the station, you can find a cab to reach the destination.
04. Madhatop
Madhatop is a popular place to visit in Patnitop. It is only 5 kilometres away. There are two ways to reach here including a short trek of about an hour or so or book a cab for a quick drive.
Tourists often pick trekking since it involves hiking through verdant forests and the experience offers a mesmerizing view of the Chenab Basin.
Along with a popular trekking trail, it also presents the travellers with the opportunity of experiencing winter-sports like skiing and summer sports like Paragliding.
There are three freshwater springs in Madhatop which are believed to have medicinal properties. Here, you can click postcard perfect pictures for memories of a lifesake.
05. Billo ki powri
The 270-staircases carved from mountains are the Billo ki Powri or Engraved Stairs. On climbing these stairs, tourists reach a place in Patnitop called Dawariyai, a famous paragliding spot.
The journey of these stairs is a bit challenging due to its steepness but offers a stunning view of the Kud Parak and a memorable experience.
The architecture is old-style but shows great examples of craftsmanship. It is also a shortcut to Batote, believed to be built by King Chenani. It is an unusual tourist attraction but visited by many travellers.
March to October is the preferred time to visit Billo Ki Powri as the weather is pleasant to climb these stairs and you can also do paragliding. Avoid going when it rains heavily since the stairway gets slippery.
06. Kud Park
Located at an altitude of about 1850 metres, Kud Park lies in the Kud town. As you are on your way to Patnitop, it falls right before the hill station. The place is a perfect option as a summer retreat since the cool and peaceful ambience found here helps you in escaping the scorching heat of plains.
Different varieties of vibrant flowers bloom and burst at the park. It is surrounded by a thick canopy of pine and deodar trees from every side.
If you are someone who is interested in practicing nature photography, it is the ideal location. Plan an outdoor picnic at the park or go for a light stroll. The place is every Bird-watcher’s delight.
07. Shiva Garh
Shiv Garh is among popular tourist places to visit in Patnitop. A year-round destination, people visit here any time of the year.
Throughout the town, it is the perfect place to embark on a trekking expedition. Starting from Shiv Garh, the trails lead to beautiful destinations like Kud Parak and Balote.
If you are looking for a tranquil escape into the lap of nature, a peaceful landscape is present here. The attraction is in proximity to other sightseeing spots of Patnitop.
On your one day getaway to the city, do include Shiva Garh in the itinerary. Snow activities like sledding and snowboarding are accessible in the winter season.
08. Skyview point Patnitop
Skyview Patnitop is one of those rare places in Jammu and Kashmir where you get access to Gondola rides. This year, skip the crowded Gulmarg Gondola and have a serene experience here at the hill station.
The activity offers both fun and exciting time as well as a panoramic view of the region. Other than the ride, there are many other activities to enjoy at the Skyview Patnitop such as tube sledging, trekking, camping and zip-lining.
The 6-8 line course of zip-lining is the perfect for the thrill sport. It is located near the Shiv Garh and in a day trip, you can easily cover both of these attractions.
09. Sudh Mahadev Temple
Located in a small town of Shivgarh, the Sudh Mahadev Temple is about 42 kilometres from Patnitop. It is one of the most ancient temples to exist in Jammu and Kashmir, built about 1000 years ago.
A more surprising fact is that the Shivling present here in the main complex is believed to be 3000 years old. The divine presence of Goddess Parvati is mentioned in the local legends who used to worship Lord Shiva here at the temple after bathing in the Gouri Kund.
The timeless temple also contains Trishul of Shiva along with black marble statues of Shiva and Parvati in the local forms.
The Devak stream magically originates here at the Sudh Mahadev and then disappears mysteriously is said to be as pure as Ganges. Most of the crowd is seen here at the time of the Full Moon Night Festival in Sawan.
10. Baglihar Dam
Baglihar Dam, also called as Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, is built on the Chenab river. It is located in the Ramban district of Jammu And Kashmir.
The dam is present between two hills, offering mesmerising views. You can visit this location to get to know the technological advancements this area is developing. From the Dam, witness views of gorgeous sunrise and sunset in the mountains.
It is about 40 kilometres from Patnitop and a one hour drive is sufficient to reach here. Visit here in summer to enjoy sightseeing and crystal clear views of the surrounding.