Patnitop or Patni Top, is a hilltop tourist location in Udhampur district, in Jammu and Kashmir, India, on the National Highway 1A, on the way from Udhampur to Srinagar, 112 km from Jammu. Situated on a plateau in the Shiwalik belt of the Himalayas, Patnitop sits at an altitude of 2024 metres. The river Chenab flows in close proximity to this location.
Origin of the name ‘Patnitop’ is a distortion of the original name of Patan Da Talab meaning “Pond of the Princess”. In olden times a pond existed in the meadows and the kings princess often used to have her bath there. Part of the pond still exists near the youth hostel. It may be that the British had difficulties recording an English spelling of an Indian name correctly in their revenue records. Over the years the name changed from “Patan Da Talab” to Patnitop.
Patnitop The hill resort of Patnitop is most suitable for the long walks in the lush green forest tracks where the chirping of birds, cool mountain breeze, panoramic beauty of the Chenab basin and never hot weather reinvigorates the souls of the people from plains and relieves the urbanites from the maddening crowd and hullabaloo of their cities. This charming plateau is situated 110 kilometers from Jammu along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, at an altitude of 6,640 feet. It is also the highest point on the highway. no doubt patnitop is the best hill station in jammu and patnitop tourism is growing day by day Patnitop was only discoves in the 20th century, as compared to other hill stations of the state that had been discovers centuries ago. The unspoiled beauty of this resort, well guarded by the Patnitop Development Authority, invites the world wide travelers to have a fun filled holiday on this hill station and explore the adventure, cultural, religious and recreational tourism options that are very unique to this place.
Patnitop is a place that can be visited all round the year. Cool and bracing in the heights of summer, patnitop is hot destination during winters as well, when it is covers by the snow blanket. Whatever the season may be, there is no competitor to its serenity. The bewitching sight of cedar woods and lush green mountains in summer is replaced by the beauty of snow covers mountains. It will be a breath taking experience to have a sight of the snow mountains turning golden in color at the time of sun set. Similarly you will be stunned by the vistas of the Chenab Gorge, that Patnitop offers from its excellent vantage points. Being only five kilometers in area, it is always easy to walk and explore the untrodden ways, if you wish there are ponies on hire and you can enjoy a horse ride while visiting the nearby spots, most of the place can be approached by car.
For the travelers the must visit spots are Chinar Garden, Picnic Spot and Skating Park. The three gushing ice cold water springs with the medicinal properties located in the area is the ideal place to have a bath that is really very beneficial for your skin. Plan your holidays to this place and enjoy the natures endowments. Thrilling Adventure At Patnitop There is no denial to the fact that Patnitop is the ideal place to have a pleasant walk in the verdant woods and hear the winds soughing through cedar woods. Heaven for trekkers, there are paths for long as well as short trek to the nearby mountains. If you are an ace trekker go to Kud or Batote otherwise you can have a shot trek to Shiv Garh that is 11 km away and Madha Top, the ridge opposite to Patnitop . Sansar also known as Mini Gulmarg is a grassy meadow fringed by fir trees and offer the adventurous Aerosports. The 9 hole golf course adds charm to this place. During winters you can get an opportunity to learn basic skiing at Patnitop , enjoy sledging, make snowmen and have a snowball fight with your friends.
Location
It is in the Lower Himalayan Range close to the Pir Panjal range, 47 kilometers from Udhampur and 112 km from Jammu. This famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 metres across which the Jammu-Srinagar Highway passes. The towns of Kud and Batote are nearby. Kud is a very small town where a sweet shop makes fresh Patissa (a sweet). It can be bought hot from the shop and melts in one’s mouth. Batote is known as a place for quality rajma or the kidney bean.
Details
Enveloped by thickly wooded Cedar/Deodhar forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountainscape of the Chenab basin. In winter, the resort is generally covered with a thick mantle of snow thus providing opportunities for various snow games including skiing. It is the closest winter resort to Jammu and to Udhampur and is second to none in its natural charm, climate, pine forests and lush green cover. J&K Tourism as well as the army have some holiday homes here. The region has also had a rash of houses built by people staying in Jammu and building a house here for the holidays is very beautiful.
High Flying from Natha Top
Take off is from Natha Top and landing at Kud.The flight can be from 15 mins to an hour depending on the wind conditions.
How To Reach There
This hill resort is towering above the Chenab George at 6,640 feet, 112 kilometers ahead of Jammu and is connected to this city by road. JKSRTC buses and hiFEB31E taxis are the common mode of transportation and the main railway station and railhead is located at Jammu. At Patnitop we offers patnitop budget tours.