Top Things to Do in Patnitop: Adventure & Scenic Escapes
As an offbeat hill station of Jammu and Kashmir, Patnitop is the ideal choice for a fun getaway with your friends and family. Its remote location offers a peaceful experience.
It lies in the Udhampur district of the valley. Tourists, on their way to the Vaishno Mata, often halt here and spend a day or two. While the town is filled with many local attractions like Madhatop, Kud Park, Naag Temple, there are various things to do in Patnitop as well.
Outdoor activities are available throughout the year. Adventures like trekking, camping, horse riding are best enjoyed in the summer season. Winter visits offer visitors an exciting opportunity to ski and snowboard. The best time to visit Patnitop depends on whether you enjoy green hills in summer or snowy views in winter.
This year, skip the over-crowded towns of Kashmir like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg and visit Patnitop instead.
Plan a trip with Cliffhangers India to Patnitop and engage in an endless number of sports. Here’s a guide to popular things to do at Patnitop.
Things To Do In Patnitop
Trekking
Patnitop is popular as a trekking destination having small trekking trails that can be completed in just a few hours. The trek to Shiv Ghar is just 11 kilometres long and it is perfect whether you are an adventure enthusiast or devotee of Shiva. The trek is challenging, offering you a mix of natural beauty and different thrilling routes on your way through forests, steep ascent etc.
The best time for Trekking in Kashmir and Patnitop is from March to October as the weather is ideal and delightful for it.
Keep in mind to check the current condition of the routes and weather situation too,
Packing is crucial too. Carry water bottles, snacks and wear proper clothes.
Skiing
Patnitop is a year-round destination of Kashmir. Tourists are seen here even in winters, from December to March.
The whole town is covered in snow, forming perfect slopes for skiing.
It is accessible from late December to March. However, January and February are the best months for it as the snow really sticks to the ground.
Some of the best skiing spots in Patnitop are Madhatop, Nathatop and more. These two are the famous ones. The place offers skiing courses ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced level.
Wear proper clothes like thermals and jackets and be ready with all the skiing equipment including Skis, boots and poles.
Nature Walks
As you arrive in the town, there’s greenery and lush to see all around. In such a beautiful place, nature walks are an ideal pick.
It is one of the best group-friendly things to do in Patnitop.
The pine forests found in the hill station offer some calming routes for such strolls. They are not exhausting and quite easy on the feet.
Visit the Kud park to walk around and soak in the beauty.
Some shorter hikes like that to Madhatop, covering 5 kilometres, are counted as one of the best options for such walks.
Mornings and evenings are the suitable time for the activity. The routes are less crowded and peaceful.
Wear a comfortable shoe that is snug fit. Carry a water bottle and snacks.
Paragliding
Paragliding is one of the best things to do in Patnitop.
There are several spots in the town that offer paragliding for beginners as well as experienced. The most popular one being Madhatop, about 5 kilometres from Patnitop. You see the town, the valleys, the meadows, forests from a long height. Showing magical sides of everything.
The duration lasts from 15 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the type you have chosen and the money paid.
The cost per person varies from INR 2500 to 4000.
When doing it, choose a school who provides you safety gears in a good condition. Immediately tell your instructor if you face any kind of trouble.
Picnic
Patnitop has several places to plan a picnic with yourself or your family and spend some time in nature.
Madhatop is probably one of the best places in Patnitop for outdoor picnics. A short hike of about 5 kilometres takes you to the top.
Being in the open nature with a panoramic view of the entire town is an exciting experience.
Get a basket and some snacks, drinks in it.
The sunrise and sunset is the best time for it in the hill station.
Look out for insects here on the ground and choose a flat and clean place for your mat.
Horse Riding
While trekking and hiking are among the popular options to reach different places, horse riding offers a completely different experience.
Cover uphill routes to places like Nathatop, Madhatop via horse rides or pony rides. Relaxing on the horseback while enjoying scenic sights of the town is one of the most ideal Patnitop things to do.
Such rides are conveniently enjoyed in the balmy weather of summer, from May to September. During this season, there isn’t snow on the routes.
You can book a horse riding via online websites or through vendors. While the charges depend on the duration of the ride, it costs somewhere between 500-1500 INR per head.
Camping
If you are looking for some adventurous things to do at Patnitop, Camping tops the list.
Trekking and camping goes hand in hand. Different treks in Patnitop lead to beautiful destinations like Madhatop, Nathatop, Shiva Garh. These spots are perfect to pitch a camp and spend the night.
At the campsites, light a bonfire and enjoy snacks and meals, sitting around it.
Enjoy stargazing under the clear, star-lit sky of Patnitop. You can even engage in astrophotography here.
Important camping gears include a tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is one of the most thrilling things to do in Patnitop.
There are some easy to challenging rock walls in the town where you can improve your climbing skills.
You can drive for about half an hour, covering 20 kilometres and reaching Sanasar lake. Here, rock formations for beginners are present. It is one of the primary hubs for such activities.
Steeper cliffs at Madhatop, Nathatop and Shiva Garh are available for experienced climbers.
Wear proper clothes and equipment like a harness, helmet, climbing shoes.
Meditation & Yoga
Well, it is well-stated why Patnitop is one of the best places in Jammu and Kashmir for yoga and meditation retreats.
The peaceful ambience here at Nathatop and Madhatop provide a rejuvenating experience. Breathe in the clear and fresh air in the morning.
While you can surely do it solely, there are group sessions as well at different yoga centres in hotels.
The clear weather in summer offers lovely weather for mindfulness.
Sunset & Sunrise Views:
Witness rising sun behind the mountains in Patnitop.
While you can enjoy sunrise or sunset views from anywhere in the town, being on a hilltop gives you a mesmerizing sight.
As you trek to places like Madhatop or Nathatop or Shiv Ghar, do spend some time admiring the beauty of rising or setting sun.
It completely depends on the time of the day that you are at a particular place. It would be best to enjoy both sunrise and sunset views from a specific place.
Do carry a camera and a tripod to click gorgeous pictures and take selfies for lifetime keepsake.
FAQ's
Why is Patnitop so famous?
Patnitop is famous as a hill station where a bunch of summer as well as sports activities are offered like skiing, snowboarding, trekking, hiking, etc.
Is one day enough for Patnitop?
If you have one day for Patnitop, you can visit Nathatop, Billo ki Powri, Naag temple and Sanasar. You need a specified one-day itinerary for it.
Where is the snow point near Patnitop?
If you are looking to enjoy live snow and snow activities like skiing and snowboarding, visit Madhatop, Nathatop in Patnitop.
What is the cost of Paragliding in Patnitop?
Cost of paragliding in Patnitop ranges between INR 2500 to 4000 per head. However, there are some cheaper packages available for about INR 1500 per head.
In which month snowfall starts in Patnitop?
Patnitop receives snowfall from December onwards to March end. As soon as the temperature goes below freezing level, the entire town is filled with white powdery snow.
