Patnitop is an hill station, situated in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, is a must-visit tourist place.
It is located on a scenic plateau of the Shiwalik Range of the Himalayas, and it boasts green meadows and panoramic views of the glittering snow-capped peaks. It’s the perfect place to visit with your family, friends, or even your partner. There are short treks that even family vacationers can enjoy, such as the one leading to Nathatop, a perfect place to experience serenity and many adventure activities like paragliding.
And for those who love skiing, Madhatop is the perfect destination. The three fresh water springs at Madhatop also attract nature lovers.
For the history buffs, a must-see in Patnitop is the ‘Billo ki Powri,’ a staircase of 270 steps carved on the face of the rocks. And if you want to enjoy a picnic with your family, visit Kud Park. But the real treat in Patnitop is the sweet dish, the ‘Patisa.’ Trust us, it’s a must-try!
Now, you might have heard about the snowfall and avalanche in winter at Patnitop that used to obstruct the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway a few times every winter, causing long queues of vehicles, sometimes for days. But fear not, these problems were mitigated by the opening of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel. At 9.2 km, it is India’s longest road tunnel, reducing the distance from Jammu to Srinagar by 31 km and bypassing Patnitop.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, take a ride on India’s highest ropeway, the Patnitop Ropeway. It was built in a record time of 2.4 years under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, and it features over 65 meters of ground clearance and the longest span of 849 meters between eight towers.
So, do not miss this place, when you are planning your trip to Kashmir. Happy travels!