In your travels around Leh-Ladakh, you will come across fascinating sights which arouse your curiosity to no end. One such sight attraction is Magnetic Hill, the place where gravity takes a backseat. Lying at a distance of around 30 km from Leh, the Magnetic Hill is marked by a yellow signboard which reads “The Phenomenon That Defies Gravity”. It also instructs you to park your vehicles in the box marked with a white point on the road, which is known as the Magnetic Road. When parked at the indicated spot, vehicles begin moving forward.
Magnetic Hill lies somewhere along the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar National Highway in the Trans-Himalayan region at an altitude of 14,000 feet. Sindhu river flows to the east of the hill, making it a scenic location to capture photographs. All Leh Ladakh travelers would agree that Magnetic Hill is one of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
Where Is It?
The distance from Leh to Magnetic Hill is around 30 km and it is marked by a yellow signboard that reads “The Phenomenon That Defies Gravity”. There is a white marked box on the road to park your vehicle inside it. When parked in neutral at the indicated spot, vehicles begin moving forward at a speed of almost 20 km/h. The road along which the vehicles move is known as Magnetic Road. Magnetic Hill in Ladakh, India is a sibling to Mount Aragat in Armenia. Mount Aragat, just like the Magnetic Hill, seems to be going upwards when it is actually going downhill. This mysterious phenomenon has created a lot of buzz and attracts tourists every month who come to find explanations for the occurrence. The locals too have interesting stories to tell about Magnetic Hill in India that make this phenomenon all the more riveting.
Ladakh Magnetic Hill Mystery:
What happens at Magnetic Hill? Well, there are a few different theories behind it. As per the most common theory, what is believed to be at work behind this mysterious phenomenon is a magnetic force so strong that it can pull cars uphill. It is in fact so notorious that even the airplanes that fly over this region increase their altitude in order to avoid magnetic interference. Magnetic Hill is one of the best and most visited attractions of Ladakh. It is a mysterious place that defies the laws of gravity. Here, when you park your vehicle or put your vehicle on neutral; it still runs at a constant speed of 10-15 kmph, that too up the hill. This is a phenomenon that has stirred a lot of scientists. This phenomenon is a sensation that has stirred a lot of people and has lured them towards itself. There are many theories and facts that people have told behind this wonderful phenomenon but whatever it might be; one this is for sure and that’s amusement.
The Science
There are two theories that can explain the reason behind this uphill movement. The most common one is that the hill has a strong magnetic force which is why it pulls vehicles in the vicinity. In fact, so strong is this magnetic force that planes of the Indian Air Force avoid this route so that they don’t face magnetic interference on their devices.
Another equally popular theory is that of an optical illusion. According to this, the hill does not really have a magnetic force but it just creates an optical illusion of sorts so that the road, which actually goes downhill, seems as if it goes uphill. Therefore, when you see the vehicle going upslope, it is actually the opposite and does not defy the laws of nature.
What are the places around Magnetic Hills?
While you visit the confusing yet amazing Magnetic Hills there are a few other places at its proximity that can be visited too.
Here are some of the best places to visit around Magnetic Hills:
Hall of Fame Museum- 23 km from the hills Gurudwara Pathar
Sahib- 3 km from the hills Alchi Monastery- 40 km from the hills
Sangam- 7 km from the hills.
How to Travel to Magnetic Hill
There are various ways through which one can travel to the Magnetic Hill in Leh Ladakh. Here are details about the air, train, and road routes, so that you can choose your travel as per your convenience:
Travel by Air:
Air travel is one of the easiest methods to travel to Magnetic Hill in Leh Ladakh India. The nearest airport, Leh International Airport, is located at a distance of 32 km from the place. People from all locations across the country can easily reach the airport as it is well-connected with major airports in India. From the airport, travelers can take a taxi to reach the destination.
Travel by Train:
Train travel is not the best mode of transport for those who wish to see the Magnetic Mountain in India, as the nearest railway station to Leh Ladakh is Jammutawi, which is around 700 km away from Leh Ladakh. However, if this distance doesn’t bother you, you can easily reach the place from Delhi. Jammu Tawi is well-connected to Delhi by railways. After reaching Jammu Tawi, you can cover the remaining distance to Magnetic Hill in Leh Ladakh by booking a taxi. Alternatively, you can rent a car or a bike, which is the most preferred mode of transport by travelers just for the experience of it.
Travel by Road:
If you are travelling from the National Capital Region of India, the Manali-Leh highway makes for the easiest and the most convenient option to reach Magnetic Hill in Leh. From Himachal Pradesh, many public and private buses frequently run to Leh Ladakh. Travelers also prefer to travel from Manali to Leh in their own vehicle, which is at a distance of about 490 km. So, you’ve picked your choice of transport and have reached the territory. Now what? Once in Ladakh, hit the Leh-Kargil-Baltic National Highway. After crossing 30 km or after 40 minutes’ drive, you will be able to spot a yellow board saying ‘Magnetic Hill’. This is your destination. On the way towards the Magnetic Hills on the Leh-Kargil National Highway, you will find the Hall of Fame and Gurudwara Pather Sahib, which are other tourist destinations apart from the Magnetic Mountain in Leh.
Best time to visit Magnetic Hill:
The best time to visit Magnetic Hill is from May to September, which also is the best time to visit Ladakh. This is the tourist season which means that all the roads in Ladakh will be open and the entire tourism-related industry will be operational. The weather too in these months is at its best with moderately warm days and pleasantly cool nights The roads to Ladakh from October / November remain closed and the weather gets terribly cold which makes it a bad time to be planning a trip here.
Written by: Vaibhav Kunde
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