Top 10 Hill Station near Katra (Updated 2025)
Best Hill Station near Katra, Katra is a small town in the Trikuta Mountains’ foothills in Jammu and Kashmir.
Katra is a pilgrimage place that attracts lakhs of tourists throughout the year. People have made the town of holy places.
When people think about pilgrimage, they usually associate it with pausing to reflect on their lives and expressing thankfulness for the blessings they have received.
One place you can do this is Katra in Northern India, which has many holy sites like Mata Vaishno Devi Temple or Shiv Khori temple- among others!
The most popular hill stations near Katra with distance is Patnitop, located approximately 80 km away. This picturesque hill village is well-known for its sloping fields, tall pine trees, and breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan peaks covered in snow.
It is also known for its adventure activities, such as paragliding, skiing, and trekking.
The Best Hill Station Near Katra
It is famous for its Holy place and famous for its sightseeing and natural beauty as well.
Hill station near Katra has beautiful scenic views that grab the attention of everyone. These hill stations are very calm and mesmerizing, which relieves the person from their hectic schedule and relaxes.
You’ll find many breathtaking destinations if you’re looking for the best places near Katra Jammu to visit and explore.
Of the city’s noise, it is the best place to visit. There are many hill stations near Katra to visit, such as Patnitop and Natha Top.
So, let’s talk about the best places to visit in Katra Jammu to have fun with your companions.
Patnitop
Hill station near Katra, Patnitop, is around 37 km from Katra at 2024 meters above sea level.
The place is entitled to the beauty of nature. The area is very humble and makes the visitors feel peace in their lives. You can also read Top Tourist Destination in India.
Here is a great spot to go in Jammu & Kashmir if you want some alone time or to spend time with your significant other. Patnitop is far away from the city chaos and has a calm nature.
The grasslands shine green in summer, making the Patnitop landscape look fantastic. If you love snow, then in winter, this place gets covered with snow near Katra entirely.
You can also read Things to Do in Patnitop.
The land is perfect for skiing in winter. The ground is ideal for clicking pictures that offer a great mountain view. Patnitop is a natural place that is best for adventure lovers to visit.
Visiting this place is best throughout the year. It is about wishing to visit the area in summer with a green landscape or winter with snowfall.
Natha Top
It is a short trek from Patnitop. The place will get covered with snow in winter and enhance the area’s beauty two times more. Skiing is a perfect activity for Natha Top.
People who visit Katra Hill station also see paragliding.
Even from different corners of the country, people come here to gain a better experience exploring the beauty of nature.
From the peak of the mountains at NathaTop, one can get a clear view of the Himalayas. 2711 meters is the altitude of this place.
Many roadside food vendors sell delicious dishes that fill up visitors’ stomachs. You can also read Best Snow Places in India.
The weather is so pleasant to hang out with friends and your partner. It is a place to visit for nature lovers and those who also love to sit at a location for hours to view the scenic beauty of nature.
It is the best way to escape cities’ hectic and rushed lives. This place is unique as it changes; it looks entirely when the climate changes.
The entirely snow-covered landscape will change into a lush green landscape during summer.
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Sanasar
Hill station near Katra, Sanasar, is known as the Mini Gulmarg of Jammu and is situated 20 km away from Patnitop. Sanasar gets its name from Sarovar in the lush green landscape.
Giant trees surround the place, giving it a natural appearance.
The water bodies around the trees enrich the value of the place. This place is best if you have a restricted budget but want to capture the night view of these natural surroundings.
The accommodation at this place is cheaper than at Patnitop, so one can come here after watching Patnitop to Katra and feel the lovely cold weather.
Visiting Patnitop and skipping this place is not worth it, so one should come here and taste the local cuisine.
Vaishno Devi Temple
The primary thing to remember is that one has to take the registration pass to move forward for Maa Vaishno Devi Temple.
Going up to Vaishno Devi temple is straight, so it takes little effort to mount towards the direction.
The aura of the way to Vaishno Devi Temple is as mesmerizing as it gives peace to the inner soul.
Don’t worry about your hunger when you are taking forward steps. The entire way is full of cafeterias and food stops where one can rest and have food.
Shiv Khori
Hill station near Katra, Shiv Khori, is a famous cave shrine of Lord Shiva where many Hindu Devotees visit. This cave is in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reasi district includes many caves, such as Vaishno Devi, Baba Dhansar, and Shiv Khori.
This district attracts vast tourism, located about 140 km from Jammu. The cave is naturally made 200 meters long, 1 meter wide, and 2-3 meters high.
Do you know how big its entrance is?
Around 300 people can stay at the entrance at one time. The main inner chamber of this cave is smaller. The way from the outer side to the inner chamber is small and divided into two parts simultaneously.
The one way to reach the Amarnath temple is closed now. That one way gets closed because some Sadhus tried to enter this cave, but they never get returned.
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Mansar Lake
Hill station near Katra, Mansar Lake, is about 62 km from Jammu. The woods that encircle this lake are a mile long and half a mile wide.
There are two temples, Umapati Mahadev and Narsimha; both are of Maa Durga in Mansar Lake.
It is a small lake between the mountains, having holy faiths. The best part of this lake is the big fish near the shore of the lake. The fish with their big mouth catch the small fish for their meal.
It is an excellent place for children to play and a good picnic spot. One can enjoy boat rides at this place to visit the temple near the lake.
Baba Dhansar
Hill station near Katra, Baba Dhansar, is a small hidden place with a beautiful waterfall. It is a holy place where one can take the blessing of God.
It is also a beautiful picturesque place, so an individual can click many pictures to keep in their memory boxes.
It is an incredible Lord Shiva Temple, a must-visit place in Katra. If you have visited Vaishno Devi Temple, divide your time and visit this place.
The formation of a cave and a beautiful waterfall makes everything so attractive.
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Bahu Fort
Hill station near Katra: Places near Katra are not only famous for their scenic beauty and holy temples, but the place also includes some history. It’s almost 50km away from Katra.
Bahu Fort is a historical monument of Jammu and Kashmir, constructed at the banks of the Tawi River.
It is an ancient fort constructed by Raja Bahulochan around 3,000 years ago. This place is also religious, having a temple of Maa Kali.
The temple’s name is “Bawe Wali Mata Temple” nearby.
There is a big fountain in the fort where people sit and rest. The fort is quite a good and relaxed place to visit. The terraced garden ‘Bagh-e-Bahu’ surrounds the fort.
There is a vast aquarium in this garden in which around 400 varieties of fish exist. The Bahu Fort is one of the best tourist attractions in Jammu.
The place is quite suitable for taking historical pictures as well. Those who love history should watch this place to enjoy the area.
You can also read about the best family holiday destinations in India.
Raghunath Temple
Hill station near Katra, Raghunath Temple is a holy place in Jammu that includes 7 Hindu shrines. The first Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed the Raghunath temple. They completed the temple in 1860 during the Dogra rule.
The temple has different shrines, but the main shrine is Deity Rama. They decorated the shrines of gods with 300 crafted icons of gods.
Artisans made most crafts on the shrines related to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
The temple was attacked by terrorists two times in 2002, in March and November. 20 Devotees died in this incident, and 40 people were injured.
The temple boasts beautiful architecture, making it a place one should visit.
You can also read the Most Attractive Places in India.
Hill Stations Near Jammu With Distance
The hill stations near Jammu, tucked away in the Himalayas, provide a tranquil getaway from the bustle of the city. At Patnitop, you can enjoy assured peace with its verdant surroundings and meadows.
Adventurers’ paradise is Sanasar, a hidden gem. The picturesque Katra is the entry point to the Vaishno Devi Temple.
This beautiful blend of natural treasures makes these hill stations, close to Jammu, ideal for those seeking peace and tranquillity. Below, we have provided the places near Jammu within 100 kms:
| Hill Stations | Distance From Jammu |
| Gulmarg | 201 Km |
| Sonamarg | 229 Km |
| Pahalgam | 140 Km |
| Dalhousie | 250 Km |
| Yousmarg | 162 Km |
Things to do in Katra:
In Katra, plenty of additional activities are available to enhance a visit. In Katra, there are many activities to enjoy, such as trekking amid breathtaking landscapes and touring the nearby temples.
The town boasts numerous temples, including the well-known Vaishno Devi Temple, a popular tourist destination in India.
Katra is an excellent place for those who enjoy the outdoors because it has many beautiful hiking paths nearby. The town is perfect for dining and shopping because it has several stores and restaurants.
Whether you are looking for relaxation or are searching for things to do in Katra, take a vacation in a stunning location; this town has something to provide for everyone.
How to reach Katra?
Katra serves as the entrance to the Vaishno Devi temple and stands at the foot of the Trikuta Mountains. By train From Delhi or Chandigarh, Katra is easy to reach. Multiple direct trains are available, and the travel takes about eight hours.
As an alternative, you can go by bus from Chandigarh or Delhi. There are plenty more possibilities, but the trip takes about ten hours. After arriving in Katra, you have two options: go up to the Vaishno Devi shrine or stay in one of the various hotels or guesthouses.
The holy town of Vaishno Devi in Jammu & Kashmir is well-known for both its spiritual importance and its stunning natural beauty.
Travellers seeking a tranquil getaway will love the various hill stations in the area’s foothills of the Trikuta Mountains. We’ll look at a few well-liked hill towns close to Vaishno Devi that you should consider visiting on your next vacation.
You can also take a flight and reach Katra by air. The Jammu Airport, or Satwari Airport, is the nearest airport to Katra, and there are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other major Indian cities.
You can also fly into Srinagar Airport, which is approximately 3 hours away by road.
Best Things To Carry For Hill Station Trip
Hill station trips let you enjoy nature’s beauty and peace. Enjoy layers of warmth and comfort. Wear hiking boots to make every step an adventure. Protect your eyes from high-altitude sun with sunglasses and sunscreen.
A trustworthy rucksack holds essentials and memories. Keep hydrated with a refillable water bottle and sustained with food.
Use a good camera to capture the hill station’s splendour and binoculars to explore the wilderness. Pack carefully and with appreciation for the journey ahead to ensure a comfortable and adventurous trip.
- Camp Accessories
- Backpack
- Warm clothes
- Skincare
- Power bank
- Boots
- Sunglasses
- Water Bottle
- Snacks
- Camera
- Binoculars
Guide For Hill Station Trip
You will need a hill station guide to make the most of your journey to these peaceful locations. It unlocks the mysteries of the hills, including the best times to visit, the most interesting local attractions, and hidden gems.
Using this approach will help you prepare ahead of time, eat locally, and pack for varying conditions. With its direction, your journey becomes an opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscape and misty peaks of hill stations.
Utilize this information to get the most out of your visit to the hill station. Here is a little guide to assist you:
- Decide on the right season: Depending on the region, the weather could be very different from what you’re used to. Before your trip, check the weather forecast.
- Cleverly pack: Again, it depends on the place and what kind of clothing you should carry. Check the weather prediction and make sure your packing reflects that.
- Select your pursuits: You can engage in various activities at a hill station. There is something for everyone to do, from trekking to discovering the local way of life.
- Make a plan: A plan is usually beneficial, particularly when travelling with several people. In this manner, everyone can communicate and know what to anticipate.
- Have fun travelling: Remind yourself to chill out and appreciate your stay at the hill station. Ensure you take advantage of these vacations intended to provide a vacation from the daily grind.
Culture and Heritage: Historical Places to Visit Near Katra
Katra, located in the northernmost state of India, Jammu and Kashmir, is primarily known for its—spiritual significance as a pilgrimage site for devotees of Vaishno Devi.
However, the region is also rich in culture and history, with several historical best places to visit near Katra railway station within 100 kms of Katra. We will explore some must-visit historical places near Katra that glimpse the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The frozen centre of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu attracts tourists worldwide.
Located approximately 40 km from Katra, Jammu is home to several historical, cultural, and religious sites worth exploring. Here are some of the hill stations near Katra with distance.
- Patnitop – Located approximately 80 km from Katra, With expansive views of the neighbouring Himalayan mountains, Patnitop is a stunning hill getaway.
- Jammu – Located just 45 km from Katra, Jammu is the winter capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Shivkhori – Located approximately 70 km from Katra, Shivkhori is a famous religious site dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Udhampur is a picturesque district in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. If you plan a trip to Udhampur, you must explore some of the nearby hill station from Katra that are popular tourist attractions.
Looking for hiking & trekking guides from Asia? Check out Hiking in Himachal Pradesh & Tiger’s Nest Bhutan and Trekking in Nepal.
FAQs
Patniptop and Gulmarg are tourist places near Katra.
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Shiv Khori, Baba Dhansar, and many more places.
Pahalgam hill station is near Jammu.
Yes
Snowfall occurs near Vaishno Devi. Winters are chilly and snowy at Vaishno Devi in Jammu & Kashmir. Snow fans visit the closest hill stations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Patnitop in winter for significant snowfall.
The hill station between Katra and Delhi is “Shimla.” It is a prominent Himachal Pradesh tourism attraction. Shimla is 550 km from Delhi and 470 km from Katra.
Many places to visit near Katra within 100 kms. Popular destinations from Vaishno Devi include Patnitop, Jammu City, Shiv Khori, Patnitop-Sanasar circuit, and Katra.
In northern Jammu & Kashmir, splendour surrounds Jammu. Great hill stations for escaping the bustling city. These hill stations near Jammu Katra and far from the town: Pahalgam, Patnitop, Sanasar, Katra, and Bhaderwah.
There are various snow spots near Vaishno Devi. Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Patnitop are prominent Vaishno Devi snow spots.
The distance from Katra to Nathatop is 87 Km.
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