An enchanting hill resort
Getaway
By Shiv Chander Sharma & Shallu Jamwal

THE Kashmir valley has always enamoured visitors from all over the world. Its mesmerising scenic splendour is beyond description. But apart from the valley, there are a number of enchanting places in the Jammu region which are no less rich in scenic beauty. The fascinating surroundings of places like Patni Top, Sannasar, Kud and Bhaderwah, besides many others, are sure to steal one’s heart away. If one has the aesthetic sense, one would certainly miss something if he is not acquainted with Patni Top, one of the better known hill resorts of the Jammu region.

Until the late eighties, Patni Top had not earned much fame and its beauty was unexplored. It was a trekker’s delight and the locals too loved to camp in the meadows and pastures. Now, it is a favourite resort, particularly with youngsters and newly wedded couples.

Patni Top gained popularity after militancy hit the valley. The state government, in order to revive its economy through tourism, decided to tap untouched places which had enough tourism potential. Since the early nineties, a lot of development work has been done since it has all those variegated charms which attract nature lovers and tourists. Even for those who are adventurous and are fond of trekking etc., Patni Top has enough to offer. The surrounding forests are full of giant pine and deodar trees and wild flowers.

Patni Top also boasts of fresh sparkling springs. The springs cascading from various hill slopes are bewitching. The beautiful hamlets of Karlah and Kassel Morh, near the hill resort, offer a pleasant view of the lofty mountains and the gorges. In fact, these two places are the most appropriate starting places places for trekking expeditions.

After the state tourism department introduced paragliding and snow skiing courses in and around Patni Top in 1993, tourists from almost all corners of the country and even abroad have been visiting the hill resort all through the year. The place remains snow-bound during winter and is engulfed by dense fog in the summer. The cool breeze blowing through the dense conifers and the serene atmosphere of Patni Top often encourages one to extend one’s visit. Swaying conifers, terraced fields spread endlessly on mountain slopes, glistening snowy peaks, willowy clouds playing hide and seek with the sun and fast and furious streamlets here and there are enough to make a visitor spell-bound.

Patni Top is situated between the Trikuta hills (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. To take care of the needs and requirements of the thousands of tourists, there’s a large chain of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) owned huts, besides a range of private hotels and a spacious youth hostel. However, room charges in private hotels vary, depending upon the rush and the season. For recreational activities, a JKTDC-owned club has ample facilities, including arrangements for indoor sports and a library. For good meals, one can go to the JKTDC restaurant or to roadside dhabas. The private hotels, of course, have their own restaurants.

And as one is never sure of the weather in this hill resort, one should always come with woollen clothes, light in summer and heavy in winter (October-April) when the vast expanse of Patni Top remains under a thick cover of snow.

While in Patni Top, one cannot keep oneself away from visiting three equally enchanting places — Kud on the main highway (7 km) , Sannasar (19 km away) wwhich is one of the main centres that offers paragliding courses; and Batote (13 km away) a famous cup-shaped station between Jammu and Srinagar.

Useful information

Nearest airport: Jammu,118 km

Nearest railway station: Jammu,110 km

Climate: May-September, pleasant (12°C — 20°C), September-April, cool (below 12°C).

Moderate to heavy snowfall in winter. Woollen garments, especially for kids, are required.

Eating places: JKTDC restaurant, private restaurants and roadside dhabas. All type of food available. IMFL also available in bars.

Accommodation: JKTDC Huts, private hotels, tent accommodation during peak season in summer months.

Other facilities: JKTDC Club has table tennis, billiards-snooker halls, library etc.

Shopping centres: None

Nearby places of interest: Kud-7 km, Batote-13 km, Sannasar-19 km.