Patnitop is one of the most magnificent hill stations in Jammu & Kashmir, covered in glistening snow and lush greenery. Regardless of the month you visit this destination, its beauty would leave you in awe every time. The mesmerizing places to visit in Patnitop are reason enough to plan a holiday here because it offers the perfect combination of adventure and nature. People from all walks of life can enjoy vacationing at this place. Another major attraction is that this hill station is close to Vaishno Devi and Katra, so you can also make a stop here while going to the pilgrimage site or while coming back. So, do stop by this town to make your trip even more memorable.
Best Places to Visit in Patnitop: Witness Paradise on Earth
Patnitop is nothing less than a paradisical destination with its snow-capped mountains, dense pine forests, and other gorgeous attractions. It’s a surreal feeling to explore this place and to behold the panoramic views it offers. Therefore, it’s a famous tourist destination and one that everyone should visit at least once.
So, these are the top places to visit in Patnitop on your vacation
- Nathatop
- Shiva Garh
- Naag Mandir
- Sanasar Lake
- Patnitop Park
- Sudh Mahadev Temple
- Billo ki Powri
- Skyview Patnitop
1. Nathatop: Step into the Winter Wonderland
Nathatop is one of the most popular places to visit in Patnitop because it’s covered in snow during winters and displays lush greenery during summers. However, one thing remains constant, which is the pleasant weather of this place. You must take a short trek from Patnitop to Nathatop and then indulge in exciting activities like skiing, paragliding, and many more. The gorgeous view of Kishwar range from here enhances the beauty of this place, making it a perfect destination for couples and honeymooners. The thick blanket of snow casts a shimmery white glow everywhere you go.
Best time to visit: May to June
Adventure Activities: Paragliding, trekking, skiing
Travel tips:
- Avoid visiting this place on weekends and holidays
- Carry your own boots and clothes as the rental shops over charge
How to reach: Nathatop is located in Doda, Patnitop and is around 15 km away from there. You can either take a bus or cab from there or trek to Nathatop.
2. Shiva Garh: Soak in the Serenity
Here’s one of the places to visit in Patnitop in one day that makes for the best destination. Reaching this place requires you to trek for a day, but once you reach here, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking view of milky white snow and dense pine forests. The surreal feeling of standing here and looking out at the picturesque views is a whole other feeling. The 11 km trek to this place would offer you some of the best sights, so enjoy the journey as much as the destination. A snow fight here would be the ultimate fun activity, so don’t miss out on this stunning attraction.
Best time to visit: March to October
Adventure activities: Trekking
Travel tips:
- Wear comfortable snow boots
- Carry warm jackets
How to reach: Shiva Garh is located in Ramban District of Patnitop and you can trek here for around 11 km.
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3. Naag Mandir: Pay Respects to King Cobra
As the name suggests, this ancient temple is dedicated to the snake, King Cobra and every year on Nag Panchami, Shiva devotees gather here to pay respects to the snake. Even though this temple has withered with time, especially because it’s made of wood, it still stands tall amidst the lush greenery. This 600-year-old temple is located on Mantalai Hill in Patnitop and as per the locals, it’s believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati married here. It’s also believed that wishes of people who tie a red thread here while praying to Naag Devta come true and they must hold a langar to feed everyone. It’s definitely one of the famous attractions in India, so do visit this place to marvel at this temple.
Best time to visit: May to June
Travel tips:
- Respect the religious sentiments
- Wear decent clothes
- Photography is prohibited
Suggested Read: Tourist Hill Stations in India to Ditch the Summer Heat at these Winter Wonderlands
4. Sanasar Lake: Admire the Mini Gulmarg
When it comes to this lake, you must take your time admiring the beauty of the surroundings with hills covered in pine trees surrounding the area, an alpine meadow, and the serene lake. Located at an altitude of approx. 2000 m above sea level, the name of this lake is taken from the two local lakes here, Sana and Sar. You can enjoy a picnic here or stroll around the verdant greenery, soaking in the natural beauty. It’s known as the Mini Gulmarg of Jammu for a reason. You can also explore the two attractions here, Shanta Ridge and Shank Pal that are the best places to visit in India in summer.
Best time to visit: May to June or September to October
Adventure activities: Paragliding, rock climbing, trekking
How to reach: You can either trek to Sanasar Lake or hire a taxi to take you there.
Suggested Read: Treks in Himachal Pradesh to Wander into the Wild
5. Patnitop Park: Indulge in the Simple Pleasures
Patnitop Park is one of the places to visit in Patnitop in summer because if you visit it during winters, it’ll look less like a park and more like a snow field. There are several recreational activities that you can indulge in, such as horse riding, hiking, etc. The gorgeous view of the mountains and pine trees enriches the experience even more. Spending quality time here with your loved ones while doing nothing is also one of the famous things to do in Kashmir. You can leisurely stroll around, indulge in some sightseeing, lie in the green field, and talk for hours against a mesmerizing backdrop.
Best time to visit: May to June or September to October
Timings: 9:30 A.M to 6:30 P.M (closed on Sunday)
Adventure activities: Hiking, horse riding
How to reach: You can take a cab or taxi to the park.
Suggested Read: Places to Go in Gangtok, Sikkim to Create Special Memories
6. Sudh Mahadev Temple: The Legend of Lord Shiva’s Devotee
Sudh Mahadev Temple was constructed 80 years ago and is revered to date by his devotees. There’s a legend associated with this temple that once Lord Shiva’s devotee, Sudheet respectfully approached Goddess Parvati (Uma); however, since he was a demon in his previous birth, Goddess Parvati screamed after being frightened by his appearance. Hearing her loud scream, Lord Shiva threw his Trishul and killed Sudheet. Lord Shiva soon realized his mistake and offered to revive Sudheet, but he refused because he was happy to die at the hands of Lord Shiva. That’s when Lord Shiva announced that Sudheet’s name would be prefixed before his name at this place. Therefore, this temple’s named “Sudh Mahadev.” The broken trident that hit Lord Shiva’s devotee is still in the temple.
Best time to visit: May to June
Timings: Open 24 hours
Travel tips:
- Respect the culture and traditions
- Wear modest clothes
How to reach: You can visit this temple via taxi or cab.
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7. Billo ki Powri: A Marvel of Mankind
This is one of the places to visit in Patnitop, which is a wonderous attraction because the 270-step staircase here is carved out of a mountain. It’s believed to be constructed under the king of Chenani and showcases craftsmanship at its finest. The ancient carving on it enhances the mystery shrouding this tourist attraction. You must consider this as one of the places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir because of its historical significance. You’ll even get a magnificent view of the Kud Valley as you climb up the stairs.
Best time to visit: May to June
Timings: Open 24 hours
How to reach: A cab or taxi is a convenient option to visit this place.
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8. Skyview Patnitop: Enjoy a Bird’s Eye View
Ending the list with one of the most fun things to do in India, which is to ride the highest Gondola or cable car ride in Asia. You can enjoy this 15-minute ride as you soak in the breathtaking views of the valley, but that’s not all. There are several activities here that you can indulge in, such as ziplining, tube sledging, trekking, camping, and much more. It’s a hub of adventure activities and scenic beauty. You can’t resist the charm this place exudes, so don’t even try.
Best time to visit: May to June or September to October
Timings: 10 A.M to 6 P.M
How to reach: You can take a taxi to this location.
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You’re now ready for a splendid trip to Patnitop with your loved ones because these places to visit in Patnitop are perfect for vacationers. You can immerse yourself in the culture, tradition, and entertaining aspects of this place for a wholesome trip. Moreover, there’s a lot more in this hill station that is yet to be explored by you, so spend time in the snowy wonderland and discover all the attractions there are. Book your Kashmir tour packages and get ready for a wonderful holiday.
FAQs
Patnitop is the perfect destination for swooning over the picturesque views, the verdant greenery, and scenic attractions. With several recreational activities to indulge in, you can rest assured that your trip here will be worthwhile.
Patnitop is famous for being a gorgeous hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, which is nothing less than a paradise. The mesmerizing views from this town are enough to make it a popular tourist destination.
3 to 4 days are good for Patnitop. It gives you enough time to explore all the attractions here and revel in the beauty of this place.
Yes, Patnitop is near Vaishno Devi. It’s approximately 104 km away from Vaishno Devi and around 85 km away from Katra.
You must visit Patnitop in the months of December to March as it’ll allow you to view this hill station in all its winter glory. The entire landscape covered in a thick blanket of snow would leave you in awe.
Skyview Patnitop is a 2.8 km long Gondola ride, and its highest terminal is at an altitude of 1998 m. It’s the highest ropeway in Asia.
You can experience snowfall in Patnitop during the winters, in the months of December to March. Winters in Patnitop are extremely cold and chilly.
Nathatop is approximately 14 km away from Patnitop. It’s a short trek from Patnitop to this location, where you can enjoy several adventure activities like paragliding and skiing.
