Patnitop or Patni Top- "Patan Da Talab" meaning "Pond of the Princess"

Patnitop or Patni Top, "Patan Da Talab" meaning "Pond of the Princess"

is a hill top tourist location in Udhampur district on the National Highway 1A, on the way from Udhampur to Srinagar. 

It is located in the Shiwalik belt of the Himalayas, and is in Jammu and Kashmir, India. 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.

Skiing courses are conducted at Patnitop in the months of January and Feburary. During winter mionths there are introductory courses for tourists/beginners at gentle gradient slopes of Patnitop. At Madhatop (5/6 Kms from Patni top on Sanasar Road) excellent possibilities for all kind of skiing exist. A ski-lift in the area is also proposed.

As for facilities 40 sets of equipment is available at Patnitop and Sanasar. Also available are wooden sledges locally. For beginners Instructors are also available.

Accomodation for Skiers is also available in Huts of JKTDC at Patnitop,KUD and Sanasar.Private Hotels around the area also offer accomodation.

Paragliding Joyrides at Patnitop Now you can enjoy the thrill of flying, at Patnitop. The paragliding joyrides rides are conducted at Dawariyai, 2 km landmark, on the Patnitop-Sanasar road.You can ask for paragliding, at the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) barrier. The take off site is at Dawariyai, on the Patnitop-Sanasar road. 


The area often called as the "Billoo Di Powri" point. Approx 400 plus steps have been carved out along the rock face to make the steep slope negotiable.The stairs eventually leading to Dawariyai, the "gateway". The exact dating of the work is still debatable. Any tourist can experience Paraglidng, because you will be flying with a pilot.The flight will take off from Patnitop and land at Kud.The flight will last for 7min to 15 mins, depending upon the wind conditions.One is retrieved by car to the take off area. The organizers also give a good quality video of your, memorable flight.

Paragliding at Patnitop

Billo ki powri at Dawariyai,400 steps cut into the rock face.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.

Sanasar 20 km from Patnitop offers Paragliding, Camping, Trekking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing and scenic nature walks. "Extreme Himalayan Adventures" is promoting eco-adventure in Sanasar.

A range of trekking options is available here. Summer is the season when all trekking.routes are open while some are open in winter too. There are excellent camping sites also enroute. The Sundarani- Jungal Gali-Jasarkote-Sanasar route in Jangal Gali area lets you choose any of three exciting treks. For more details check the Jangal Gali trek route in trekking brochure available from JKTDC(Free). There are Trekking equipment hire shops of tourism Deptt. at Jammu and Kud. They stock imported and local gear. These rae available for fixed prices.