Everything You Need To Know About Patnitop

Patnitop is a beautiful and famous hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. It is enriched with green meadows and gives a sparkling view of snow mountains. The whole hill station is enveloped by thick forests of Deodar and Pine trees which keeps it cool and pleasant even in the summer season. During winters, it receives heavy snowfall and turns into a white wonderland.

Patnitop is situated in a Shivalik range of the might Himalayas in the Udhampur District, J&K, and at an altitude of 2024 m. The Chenab River originating from the Himalayas flows close to the hill station.

Earlier the place was known as Patan Da Talab which means The Pond Of The Princess. It was known so as the queen used to come here to take a bath. The hill station offers a lot of adventure activities such as Short Treks, Cycling, Horse Riding, Paragliding, and much more.

You can short treks to nearby places such as Nathatop, Madhatop, Shiva Garg, and some more. There is also a very famous 600-year-old temple known as Naag Mandir which you can visit. For people who love historic places, there is a place known as Billo ki Powri which has 270 steps staircase carved on the face of rocks.

During Winters, winter sports competitions are organized here which mainly include Skiing and Snow Boarding. Patnitop is diverse in religions and cultures and locals live in peace and harmony and participate in each other’s festivals. You can interact with the locals to know even more about the place.

Tourism Development Authority has also made Huts and Dak Bungalows for the accommodation of tourists but is usually full. So if you want to book them, make sure you book in advance. The nearby towns are Kud and Batote. Batote is famous for Apple orchards and Rajma whereas Kud is famous for a sweet shop known as Prem Sweets which serves the best Patisa in the town.

You can visit Patnitop from Vaishno Devi, Jammu, Srinagar, Amristar, Delhi, and nearby places as all are connected with proper roads. The hill station is nearly 100 Km from Vaishno Devi, Katra, and nearly 110 Km from Jammu city.

The Government has decided to construct a Tourism Circuit starting from Jammu and ending in Mantali including Patnitop in between. The complete tourist circuit will consist of Jammu-Katra-Vaishno Devi, Kud-Sanasar, Patnitop-Gourikund, Sudmahadev, Mantali, and will extend up to Latti-Dhuna.

So let’s how you can reach Patnitop, places you can visit there, things to do or the attractions there and the best time to visit there.

How To Reach Patnitop

Patnitop is easy to reach from Jammu, Vaishno Devi (Katra), Srinagar, Udhampur, Himachal, Delhi, and the surrounding places. The hilltop is well connected by road from all the nearby cities. The nearest cities to the hill station are Jammu, Udhmapur, Vaishno Devi (Katra), and Srinagar. So let’s see in detail how you can reach Patnitop from Vaishno Devi (Katra), Jammu, Udhampur, Amritsar, and Delhi by airways, railways, and roadways.

• Katra To Patnitop 

The distance between Katra to Patnitop is 85 Km and it takes nearly 2 hr 30 min to reach there.

• Reaching Patnitop From Katra By Air: The nearest airport to Katra City is Jammu Airport and is at a distance of 51 Km. After reaching Jammu Airport, you can reach Katra by train or road. Then after reaching Katra, you can start your journey for Patnitop only by road as there is no air and railways connectivity.

• Reaching Patnitop From Katra By Road: After reaching Katra city, then you can take our own car, bus, taxi, or tempo to reach the hill station.

• Reaching Patnitop From Katra By Train: You can take a train from Jammu, Delhi, Punjab, and other cities to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra, and follow the above instructions for reaching Patnitop from Katra by road. There is a special train Vande Matram which runs between Delhi and Katra and has halting stations in Jammu and Amritsar. The train covers the distance in 6 hours. And there are also other trains running such as Rajdhani Express, Duronto, Malwa and many others.

• Vaishno Devi To Patnitop: Many tourists visit Patnitop when they visit Vaishno Devi and it is one of the best places to visit near Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi to Patnitop distance is nearly 90 Km and takes 2 hr 30 min to reach Patnitop and is almost the same as that of Katra. First, you can do darshan at night at the temple and in the morning you can depart for the hill station by taking a taxi, tempo, bus, or your own car.

• Jammu To Patnitop 

The distance between Jammu to Patnitop is 110 Km and it takes nearly 3 hr to reach there.

• Reaching Patnitop From Jammu By Air: You can reach Jammu Airport from the nearby cities. After reaching Jammu Airport, you can reach Patnitop by road only as there is no air and railways connectivity. You can take a bus, taxi, tempo or your own car. You will easily get a taxi outside Jammu airport. Or if you want to take a bus you can auto the bus stand from Jammu Airport and then start your journey to Patnitop.

• Reaching Patnitop From Jammu By Road: After reaching Jammu city, then you can take our own car, bus, taxi, or tempo to reach the hill station.

• Reaching Patnitop From Jammu By Train: You can take a train from Delhi, Punjab, and other cities to Jammu Tawi Railway Station, Jammu and follow the above instructions for reaching Patnitop from Jammu by road. There is a special train Vande Matram which runs between Delhi and Katra and has halts in Jammu for a few minutes, so you have to be quick. The train covers the distance in 6 hours. And there are also other trains running such as Rajdhani Express, Duronto, Malwa and many others. After reaching the railway station, you can get a bus or taxi there also. Or you can take an auto to Bus Stand.

• Udhampur to Patnitop

The Udhampur to Patnitop distance is 46 Km and it takes nearly 1 hr 30 minutes to reach Patnitop. The distance is close as the hill station lies in the Udhampur District, J&K.

• Reaching Patnitop From Udhampur By Air: The nearest airport to Udhampur is Jammu Airport and is at a distance of 75 Km. After reaching Jammu Airport, you can reach Udhampur by train or road. Then after reaching Udhampur, you can start your journey for Patnitop only by road as there is no air and railways connectivity.

• Reaching Patnitop From Udhampur By Road: After reaching Udhampur, then you can take our own car, bus, taxi, or tempo to reach the hill station.

• Reaching Patnitop From Udhampur By Train: You can take a train from Jammu, Delhi, Punjab, and other cities to Udhampur Railway Station and follow the above instructions for reaching Patnitop from Udhampur by road. And there are also other trains running such as Rajdhani Express, Duronto, Malwa and many others.

Top 12 Places To Visit In Patnitop

There are many places to visit in Patnitop or near the hill station but these 12 places are worth your time places to visit there. Patnitop famous tourist places include Nathatop, Sanasar Lake, Naag Mandir, Madhatop, Patnitop Park, and many more. But there are some places which are a little far from Patnitop and at first, we decided to exclude them but later we thought you can visit them as they are worth visiting places.

Top 12 Places To Visit In Patnitop Are: 

• Nathatop: Where Clouds Come to You
• Sanasar: For The Adventure Lovers
• Madhatop: For Skiing & Short Trek
• Naag Mandir: The Temple Of Snakes
• Patnitop Park: Enjoy A Picnic There
• Billo ki Powri: A Must-Visit For History Lovers
• Skyview Patnitop: Fly To The Top By Gondola
• Sudh Mahadev: Where Goddess Parvati Worshipped 3000 Years Ago
• Shiva Garh: Not For The Faint-Hearted
• Chenani Nashri Tunnel: Longest Tunnel in Asia
• Baglihar dam: A Massive Dam
• Mantalai: Where Lord Shiva Got Married to Goddess Parvati

1. Nathatop

Nathatop is another hill station close to Patnitop. In winters, the place is unbelievably beautiful as snow enhances its beauty and clouds come to you. Tourists always visit these places when visiting Patnitop. It is also a very nice spot for Skiing Lovers and those who want to get hands-on Skiing. It also offers other Adventurous activities such as Paragliding and much more. And a quick tip for you all always carry your camera here as this place offers some wonderful shots.

Best Time To Visit: For Snow Lovers, December to January | For Pleasant Weather, Throughout The Year

Distance From Patnitop: 12.7 Km

Things To Do: Paragliding, Skiing, Taking Panoramic Shots

2. Sanasar Lake

Sanasar is a must-visit for adventure lovers and nature lovers. This is another place in Patnitop which you will never want to miss. For adventure lovers, there are a ton of activities to do such as rock climbing, parasailing, paragliding, bungee, skydiving, abseiling, and hot-air balloon. And for nature lovers the lake there is no less than the lakes shown in fairy tale movies. The lake has got its name from the two lakes of ‘Sana’ and ‘Sar’. Sansar is also known as Mini Gulmarg and also offers an additional sport which is golf.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the Year | For Snow Lovers, December to January

Distance From Patnitop: 20 Km

Things To Do: Car-Racing, Cliff-Climbing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Skating, Skiing, Paragliding, and much more.

3. Madhatop

Madhatop is a small trek from Patnitop. The place is unexplored and not much exploited as very less tourists visit this place so this is a perfect choice for people who like to visit rush free for some peace of mind and spending some time alone. As you enter the hills of Madhatop, you will be welcomed by dense forests of cedar trees and the snowy-foggy mountains which offer a panoramic view to your eyes.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the Year | For Skiing and Snow Lovers, December to January

Distance From Patnitop: 5 Km

Things To Do: Skiing, Mediation, Taking Shots of Panoramic Mountains.

4. Naag Mandir

The temple near Patnitop is believed to be 600 years old. There is a saying that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati visited here and performed some rituals. Naag Mandir is dedicated to Naag Devta or Lord of Snakes. At the time of Naag Panchami, the temple is decorated and the serpent deity is made to bath with milk. The vibes you get in the temples are mystic and is also believed that your wishes become true there.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the Year

Distance From Patnitop: 3 Km

Things To Do: Do Shopping, Talk to Pujari.

5. Patnitop Park

Patnitop Park is best suited for Children and you can enjoy a picnic there. There are many activities for children and as well as adults also. And you can take a rest there under the shades of Pine trees. You can rent a bicycle outside Patnitop Park and take a stroll in the nearby places.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the Year

Distance From Patnitop: 2 Km

Things To Do: Adventure Sports, Have a Picnic

6. Billo Ki Powri

Billo Ki Powri, also known as Engraved Stairs are nearly 400 steps carved out of a rock. These steps are known to be carved by the former king of Chenani. But over the years, as the staircase was being overused the lower staircase has been eroded and now only 270 steps are there. As you will climb up, the whole Kud town becomes visible, and during monsoons, the whole area is covered by clouds. The staircase leads to a point called Dawariyai, which is quite famous for paragliding.

Best Time To Visit: Avoid During Monsoons

Distance From Patnitop: 8.5 Km

Things To Do: Climbing

7. Skyview Patnitop

According to Skyview Patnitop, ‘Skyview Patnitop is an adventure activities destination near Jammu & Kashmir. We offer resort stays, sightseeing, ropeway, hotel stays, cable car activities in Patnitop. The adventure activities at Skyview Patnitop will give you a unique perspective of the majestic Patnitop hills. From heart-pounding thrills of a zipline and ropeway ride to a refreshing stroll through the vicinity, Skyview Patnitop offers something for everyone. Experience the thrill of a Gondola ride!! Built with the latest technology, the Skyview Patnitop ropeway is one of the highest ropeways in India with one of the longest spans between its towers.’

Best Time To Visit: Throughout The Year

Distance From Patnitop: 13.2 Km

Things To Do: Zipline, Gondola, Magic Carpet, Tubing Sledge, Trampoline, and Much More…

8. Sudh Mahadev

Sudh Mahadev is another spiritual place to visit near Patnitop. Although this place is a little far from Patnitop but is worth visiting. According to the Legends, Goddess Parvati after bathing at a spring called Gouri Spring would worship the Shivling in Sudh Mahadev that is believed to 3000 years old. Inside the temple, there is a black marble statue of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and a Trishul of Lord Shiva is also there. There is a huge rush of pilgrims on the full moon night of Sawan to participate in the festival of Lord Shiva. There is also a mysterious underground stream known as Devak which is to believe to be the Ganges river and it disappears into the rock.

Best Time To Visit: Monsoon to Enjoy the Clouds

Distance From Patnitop: 44 Km

Things To Do: Indulge in the beauty of the place

9. Chenani Nashri Tunnel

Now known as Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel or Syama Tunnelis believed to be one of the longest tunnels in Asia and is 9.2 Km long in length. The tunnel has reduced the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 30 Km and travel time by almost 2 hours. You can visit the tunnel after visiting Patnitop but if you will take this tunnel you will skip Kud town in between so plan accordingly.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year

Distance From Patnitop: 25 Km

Things To Do: Drive through one of the largest tunnels in Asia

10. Shiva Garh

Shiva Garh is a less known one day trek from Patnitop at an altitude of 3500 m. The trek is completed by covering dense pine forests, green meadows, and some chill giving spots between Kud and Batote. As you soon you enter Shiva Garh you are welcomed by the clanging sound of bells tied to the cattle and goats. The trek is not for the faint-hearted as spots are very narrow and there are no shops on the way. And at the top, there is a temple which is in ruins.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year

Distance From Patnitop: 11 Km

Things To Do: Trek through the wonders of nature.

11. Baglihar Dam

Baglihar dam is a must-visit for people who are having an interest in mechanics as you get to know about difficulties faced in the construction of the dam and many other aspects of the dam. It is far from Patnitop so if you are short on time you can definitely skip it. It is also known as Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project and is located on the Chenab River. First, there were some issues regarding the construction of the dam as Pakistan was not allowing as their water supply was getting affected but later both the countries agreed on some common solution.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year

Distance From Patnitop: 24 Km

Things To Do: For Mechanical Enthusiasts

12. Mantalai

Mantalai is a few kilometers ahead of Sudh Mahadev and is surrounded by deodar trees which makes it really really beautiful. According to legends, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married here. There is a Shiv Temple and complex created by Swami Dhirendra Brhamchari which includes a tree-shaped house and a hostel. Also, there are many unfinished projects which are on their way to completion. If you want to have some views of the mountain landscapes you can visit Naina Devi which is 5 Km from Mantalai.

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year

Distance From Patnitop: 23 Km

Things To Do: Visit the temple, Enjoy the views of the mountains

ALSO READ: Nau Devi Where 9 Pindis of Devi Are Preserved

 TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN PATNITOP

Patnitop is mainly known for snow sports, adventurous activities, and some treks. Actually, there are many things to do in Patnitop but according to me these 5 things to do in Patnitop are worth your money and time. Patnitop attractions or things you can do in Patnitop are as follow:

1. Gondola & Other Activities At Skyview Patnitop

Skyview Patnitop is one of the latest adventure tourism destinations in J&K. Skyview Patnitop offers a lot of activities such as Gondola Ride, Magic Carpet, Zipline, Tubing Sledge, and much more. It also offers accommodation there and serves a variety of cuisine representing Asian, Indian, and Continental.

In terms of clearance, Gondola in Skyview Patnitop is the highest ropeway. You can make a booking online before visiting there.

2. Skiing & Other Snow Sports

During winters when it snows in Patnitop, it becomes a wonderland for winter sports. Many competitions are organized there mainly for skiing. So whether you’re a professional or novice you can get your hands on Skiing there during winters. And there are many other snow sports such as skateboarding, snow biking, and much more. You can also do skiing and other snow sports at Nathatop and Sanasar.

3. Paragliding & Other Adventurous Activities

Patnitop is quite famous for paragliding and other adventurous activities such as Car-Racing, Cliff-Climbing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Skating, Human Hamster Ball, and many others. Sanasar is more preferred for Paragliding may be due to its high altitude. So next time you visit Patnitop don’t forget to have fun.

4. Visit Kud Market

Kud town is before Patnitop and there is a small Market which you can visit. When you visit there you will find many sweet shops named Prem Sweets and well that is confusing, right? Let me tell you the story behind it. Prem Sweets is a sweet shop based in Kud which was founded nearly 100 years ago and serves world-famous Patisa. So others also copied the same name and packaging to lure customers. So make sure you buy from the right shop.

5. Cycling

It feels awesome to do cycling in a hill station and a hilltop like Patnitop makes it even more exciting. You can rent or take your own cycle there for strolling the hill station. If you want to rent Cycle for a short duration, you can rent it from outside Patnitop Park.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PATNITOP

You can visit Patnitop throughout the year but the best time to visit will be during Summers ( May-June ) and in Winters ( December to January). You can also visit during the autumn season (September-October). Snow or Snowfall in Patnitop usually happens during mid-December and in January.

Patnitop Temperature

1. During January: -5 to 7 Degree Celcius
2. During February: 2 to 12 Degree Celcius
3. During March: 4 to 13 Degree Celcius
4. During April: 8 to 18 Degree Celcius
5. During May: 12 to 23 Degree Celcius
6. During June: 15 to 26 Degree Celcius
7. During July: 16 to 23 Degree Celcius
8. During August: 15 to 24 Degree Celcius
9. During September: 14 to 24 Degree Celcius
10. During October: 10 to 20 Degree Celcius
11. During November: 6 to 15 Degree Celcius
12. During December: 0 to 12 Degree Celcius