Patnitop Travel Guide: Places To See And Things To Do In Patnitop (2024)
Patnitop is a small town surrounded by the majestic, snow-clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range. The small town is situated around 112 km from Jammu and 47 km from Udhampur and lies in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
You will enjoy the most beautiful sceneries at this place. The town is surrounded by lush greenery, and colorful fields and is an ideal getaway from the busy city everyday life. It sits atop a plateau in the Shivalik belt and remains enveloped by lush greenery, pine trees, and dense wood. The town is located around the pristine Chenab river that gives Patnitop a unique charm. The valley around the town is extremely vast and beautiful. You have the option to go for hikes and treks and be adventurous in this beautiful town.
There is a legend associated with the pond in Patnitop. It is believed that a pond existed amidst the lush green pastures of the area, and the princess of the ruling kingdom used to bathe in it every day. The pond, therefore, was called ‘Patan da Talab’, or the Pond of the Princess. The name of the place is influenced by this legend. The hill station is also home to three freshwater springs whose cold water is believed to harbor medicinal properties.
There are many small towns on the outskirts of Patnitop that are famous for something unique that they have to offer. The town of Kud and Batote is popular for Patissa, also known as Soan papdi, while Batote is known for its high-quality kidney beans, known as rajma in Hindi. Patnitop is also a famous Paragliding base. Sanasar, located 17 km away is a famous paragliding spot in the country. There are many golf courses along the way with extended sightseeing options.
Patnitop Travel Guide: Places To See And Things To Do In Patnitop
An adventure of a lifetime awaits you in Patnitop. Make sure you are ready for it and a guide to planning for your adventure is below.
1. Nathatop
Nathatop is one of the famous tourist destinations in Jammu located 8 km from Patnitop. You can reach here by hiking for a short distance from Patnitop. This is a small hill station in the state of Jammu and Kashmir located at a height of 2711 m above sea level. It is covered with snow during winters that make it even more attractive for tourists to visit. Nathatop has a beautiful landscape and you can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best. You can also enjoy skiing here and the snow attracts many skiing enthusiasts to this place. Nathatop has become very famous for paragliding these days. People from around the country and outside visit Nathatop to enjoy Paragliding here.
You can see an excellent and clear view of the Himalayas from the peak here at Nathatop. The place has a pleasant climate and is a good place to enjoy time with your friends and family. It is a must-visit place for nature lovers and those who love to sit quietly at one place and enjoy the serenity of a place.
In addition to the landscape and the adventure activities, you will get scrumptious food to fill your hungry bellies at Nathatop. Several local vendors are selling local food by the roadside.
It is a peaceful place away from the fast-moving lives of the city. You will get to enjoy the views of the Pir Panjal Mountains if the sky is clear. if you are visiting during winters the place is covered in snow and is a treat for the eyes.
2. Paragliding
This is one of the most famous things people like to do at Patnitop. Paragliding is an adventure activity that is being offered at a few places in India and Patnitop is one of the most famous places you can do paragliding at. Tourists from all around the country and outside visit Patnitop to enjoy Paragliding. You take off from a hill and enjoy the scenery while you are flying with a hot air balloon and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty and the lush green mountains and valleys. This is a sight to behold and a moment to behold your entire life. It is one of the most beautiful sites one can see while flying in the mid-air along. The ride is conducted at a 2 km landmark, Dawariyai, situated on Patnitop-Sanasar Road, also known as Billoo Di Powri point. 
One can reach the point by ascending through 400 plus steps. In addition to a thrilling and adventurous ride, you will get a chance to get a video made for yourself while you are paragliding to keep it as a memory. Make sure you do not miss paragliding while in Patnitop.
3. Skiing
It is a famous destination for Skiing enthusiasts in India. Patnitop receives huge snow in winters and that makes it favorable for skiing here. Patnitop is an excellent place for skiing in winters. Patnitop beats all other skiing destinations at being a highly preferred location for skiing. The fact that Patnitop is rather untouched and less crowded makes it a more favorable destination to try skiing than others. The place remains covered in snow all through the winter season and is quite an experience to try skiing here. You must not miss the opportunity to try Skiing if you are visiting Patnitop during the winter.
4. Naag Mandir
The Naag Mandir in Patnitop is a 600-year-old temple and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It holds a special place for the locals, and you will see locals praying here when you visit the temple. During the famous Naag Panchami festival, you will see tons of devotes of Lord Shiva coming here to seek blessings and to pay their respects. An interesting fact about the temple is that it is made with solid wood that has withered for several centuries. Although the construction is not very strong, and it is a conventional construction of the bygone era, but you will be surprised by the landscape around the temple. The place has a very peaceful aura with the lush greenery around the temple. Make sure you come to seek blessing to this temple when you are in Patnitop.
5. Billu ki Powri
This is an incredible name and surely an incredible sight. Biloo ki powri is also known by the name of engraved stairs. The word Powri means stairs and the place has more than 400 steps carved out of a rock face. The staircase leads to a point called the Dawariyai, which is also the take-off site for paragliding in the area. The stairs are believed to be carved by the former king of Chenani as a shortcut to the town of Batote. Biloo ki powri is a fine example of craftsmanship from an era when there was a lack of mechanical tools at the time when they were constructed. Due to extensive use over the years, the lower quarter of the staircase has all but eroded, leaving about only 270 recognizable steps. The steps are quite steep and resemble a ladder rather than a staircase. People climb this staircase to enjoy the view from the top as well. As you keep climbing the view becomes even more beautiful and it is a sight to behold on the top of the staircase. You can even see the national highway snaking through Chenani on a clear day. During monsoon, the places become even more beautiful and unforgettable with a layer of clouds enveloping the view making for an unforgettable experience.
6. Kud Park
A small town Kud is located on the way from Jammu to Patnitop. Kud park is famous by the name of the town itself. The park is well-known for its beautiful flowers during the spring and is an ideal place to enjoy a picnic with friends and family and to even take some rest while you are on your journey to Patnitop. It is a pristine site that allows you to enjoy the splendor of nature. You will find hotels and homestays in the vicinity of Kud Park that you can choose based on your convenience. The town is also famous for its sweet delish “Patisa”. Do not miss eating or buying Patisa from town as you will not find Patisa like the one from Kud anywhere else.
7. Madhatop
Madhatop is a famous trekking site in India. It is considered one of the most amazing treks in the country. Madhatop is a five km trek from Patnitop. A trek up to Madhatop is made undeniably pleasurable by thick woods, lush greens around, and a panoramic view of the Chenab basin that is accentuated by mountains. The experience is like walking on the clouds and the mountains are partly obscured by clouds which is a treat for the eyes. Madhatop is situated at an altitude of 2024 m above sea level and is easily accessible by road also. But is a different pleasure and an experience to hike to Madhatop.
8. Hiking
There are many famous hiking sports around Patnitop which are famous for the views the valley has to offer. One can enjoy a solo hike or with friends and family. The hikes are easy to moderate difficulty hikes which can be taken easily if you have a decent fitness level and availability of time. Several trekking and hiking routes start from Patnitop which can be taken by the tourists. You can see some of the best views of pine forests and mountain tops. You will be able to see the majestic and awe-inspiring mountain ranges while you are hiking in this area. You can hike from Patnitop to the paragliding site and enjoy paragliding and come back. You can also take the Madhatop hike to see the extremely beautiful views and natural landscapes.
9. Shopping
Patnitop is a very small city but is a very famous tourist destination and a beautiful Hill station. The place is famous for its shops and even street shopping. There are many things that one can buy from Patnitop for friends and family and cherish the memories forever. One of the most fun and adventurous activities is shopping in Patnitop. The city is popular for its dry fruits, Kashmiri handicrafts, and Pashmina shawls. The sweets here too have a unique taste and should not be missed out on. One can purchase local souvenirs and handicrafts near the Naag Temple in Patnitop. The Naag Temple is ancient, one can easily find souvenirs here belonging to the bygone era. You should know how to haggle if you are visiting these markets. It is a nice place for a day out where you can enjoy the famous street food as well while enjoying shopping.
Best Time to Visit Patnitop
Patnitop is a classic “you can visit anytime” place but summers are well suited for all activities that you can enjoy here at Patnitop. April to June is the best time to visit Patnitop. However, every season has its charm in this town that invites you to visit at any time of the year. Many tourists come for the winter festivals during the season. Winters are considered to be the honeymoon season in Patnitop. Winters are very chilly in Patnitop but that does not stop tourists from visiting this beautiful place. As the summer starts, when the snow starts to melt, you will start seeing the greenery and flowers all around which makes the place look like heaven. You can enjoy paragliding and skiing also early in the summers at Patnitop. The weather is pleasant in summers and is considered the ideal time to spend in the lap of the Himalayas.
There is a huge rush of tourists to Patnitop from March to May and the temperature is pleasant compared to other parts of the country where it is brazenly hot. You can decide when you want to get away from the hustle-bustle of the city and want to stay and rejuvenate your cluttered mind in the lap of the Himalayas.
How to Reach Patnitop?
Patnitop is well connected and can be reached easily from all major cities. There are several means of transport available to travel to Patnitop. You can choose from air travel, trains, buses, or taxis to reach this heavenly town in this beautiful valley.
Air Travel to Patnitop: The Nearest airport is Jammu airport and is connected to most of the major cities in India. The local airlines and carriers like Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, Spice Jet, and others have direct flights from Delhi. You can take a taxi to Patnitop which is 110 km from Jammu airport. To reach Jammu, you can also take connecting flights from other local airports in India if a direct flight is not available from your nearest airport. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach go to your destination in Patnitop or the nearby cities if you are planning to go anywhere else.
Rail Travel to Patnitop: The Nearest railway stations are Udhampur and Jammu Railway stations. There is a train specially named after the station. The railhead is connected to most of the major cities in India. The railhead is connected to most of the major cities in India. It is also a good way to reach Jammu city. Jammu Tawi or Udhampur railway station is directly connected to prime cities of the country, including Delhi, Bhatinda, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Jodhpur via several superfast, express, and mail trains. You can take a taxi or take a shared cab from outside the railway station to reach your destination. Public transport is also readily available outside the railway station. You can take a taxi or take a shared cab from outside the railway station to reach Patnitop.
Road Travel to Patnitop: This is the best way to reach Patnitop as you will be able to enjoy the views on your way to the city while traveling by road. Patnitop is connected through Jammu to all major cities by a network of roads to Chandigarh, Jammu, Sonamarg, Delhi, and Pahalgam. Bus service is also available from all the nearby major cities in the north that connect to Patnitop via Jammu. You can also choose to hire a taxi if you want to travel at your own pace to reach Patnitop directly.
Places to Stay in Patnitop
You can find places to stay in Patnitop for all budgets. There are both luxurious and budget hotels you can choose based on your pocket size. Patnitop has some of the best hill-style cottages that are converted to Hotels or homestays for you to rent for your vacation. A vacation to Patnitop is the ideal way to unwind and relax in the lap of nature away from the city crowds. There are many warm and cozy places to stay in the town for all budgets including hostels, resorts, homestays, etc. There are luxurious 5-star hotels, mid-range hotels, homestays, bed and breakfast, and other budget hotels in the main town and nearby places. Make sure you book your accommodation before visiting the place as the possibility of finding a good or any accommodation gets difficult during the peak season if you just drop by. You can also find many homestays which are quite famous among families as well as young people and adventure seekers as you can have the entire area to yourself and enjoy there as per your comfort. And if you are staying with a landlord at your homestay, you get to enjoy the local Kashmiri food that any restaurant in the city would not do any justice to. Some of the luxurious hotels and budget hotels you can choose from are Vardaan Hotels, Hotel Trinetra Resorts, One Earth Heritage, Poonch House, The Apricot Holiday Home, Cedar at Poonch House, Willow at Poonch house.
Things to Eat in Patnitop
Everyone city or town in the state of Kashmir has something very famous to eat in addition to the delicious Kashmiri food. There is a variety of food available at Nathatop if you want to try street food and snacks Do not miss eating chocolate Barfi, Sund Panjeeri, Rajma with Rice, Kalaadi which is a type of cheese found locally in the state, Pickles specific to the state like Kasrod, Girgle, Mango with Saunf, Zimikand, Tyaoo, Seyoo, and Potatoes pickles, Khatta Meat which is mutton cooked with Pomegranate or lime juice. You will find famous restaurants and roadside eateries both serving delicious food. You will also find the famous Kashmiri dishes here that are a trademark of the state.
The most famous dishes in the area are Rogan Josh, Modar Pulao, Matschgand, Shab Daig, Haakh, Yakhni, Nader ki Gaad, Kashmiri Nann are among the few. Make sure you try all the food during your visit. Like all the places, the food is also a unique specialty in Patnitop and the nearby places.
