Katra is a small town located on the foothills of the Trikuta mountains in Jammu. We know that Katra is a famous and sacred religious place for Hindus. Hundreds and thousands of people visit Katra daily to reach the renowned shrine of Vaishno Devi. Although located on hilly terrain, people visit this place to show their devotion to Goddess Durga. Though there are numerous other places to explore in Katra, it is most famously known for Vaishno Devi Shrine. But if you are visiting Katra, why not visit some excellent hill stations near Katra? So, if you are searching for eternal beauty, you must roam through some of the most beautiful hill stations near Katra.
Top 10 Best Hill Stations Near Katra (Updated 2024)
Below are some of the best hill towns you can visit around Katra. Add the best hill station near Katra to your itinerary!
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- Gulmarg: Meadow of Flowers
- Srinagar: Heaven on Earth
- Mcleodganj: Little Lhasa
- Ladakh: Little Tibet
- Sonamarg: Meadow of Gold
- Patnitop: Patan Da Talab
- Sanasar: Mini Gulmarg
- Amarnath: Holiest spot on Earth
- Hemis: Land of Monatries
- Pahalgam: Valley of Shepherds
1. Gulmarg: Meadow of Flowers
Image Credit: Codik For Wikimedia
You must know about Gulmarg since many Bollywood movies have been filmed there. Snow-clad mountains beautifully surround Gulmarg, and you will feel like you are in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the best places to visit in Gulmarg and attracts a lot of travellers every year. Gulmarg is also known for the Indian Institute of Mountaineering and is one of the most beautiful hill stations and places to visit near Katra, within 200 kms.
Nearest airport: The nearest airport to Gulmarg is in Srinagar 56 Km away
Things to do:
- Take a Gondola ride
- Trek to Alpather Lake
- Unlimited photography
- sightseeing
Best places to visit: Gulmarg Gondola, Alpather Lake, Khilanmarg
Ideal for: honeymoon couple, family trip, solo trip
Ideal trip duration: two to three days
Best time to visit: March to June
Distance from Katra: 130 km
Aldo Read: Things To Do In Katra
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2. Srinagar: Heaven on Earth
Image Credit: Rohitsingh_88 for Pixabay
Every one of us knows about Srinagar’s beauty. Visiting Srinagar will leave you speechless and astonished by its beauty. This city is located on the banks of the river Jhelum and offers fresh and pleasant weather all year round. Srinagar is one of the most picturesque places near Vaishno devi.
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport – 793.0 km
Things to do:
- Enjoy the scenic beauty
- Spend time in houseboats
- Visit the Dal Lake
- Sightseeing
Best places to visit: Mughal Garden, Shalimar Bagh, and Dal Lake
Ideal for: family trip, Honeymoon
Ideal trip duration: four to five days
Best time to visit: April to October
Distance from Katra: 167 km
3. Mcleodganj: Little Lhasa
This place is a bit far away from Katra, and it takes almost 5 hours to reach Mcleodganj from Katra. Mcleodganj has Buddhist influence all over it. This place will seem like a heaven for trekkers. If you want to witness its serene beauty from a closer distance, stay at its best accommodations. It is one of thenearest hill station to Vaishno devi.
Nearest airport: Gaggal airport – 18.4 km
Things to do:
- Visit different monasteries
- Trekking
- Sightseeing
Best places to visit: Dal Lake, Triund, and Bhagsunath temple
Ideal for: Buddhist worshippers, trekkers, family trip
Ideal trip duration: three to four days
Best time to visit: October to February
Distance from Katra: 240 km
Related Post: Hotels In Katra
4. Ladakh: Little Tibet
Image Credit: AvengerDove For Pixabay
Ladakh can genuinely be called a heaven on earth. It has abundant beauty, beautiful landscapes, and a rich culture. This lovely desert hill station is bound by two mightiest ranges: the Karakoram and the Himalayas. One can reach Ladakh via train by reaching Jammu Tawi railway station, which is 650km away.
Nearest airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
Things to do:
- Visit different monasteries
- Take Instagram-worthy pictures
- shopping
Best places to visit: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Pangong Lake, and Nubra Valley
Ideal for: family trip, honeymoon, trips with friends
Ideal trip duration: two to three days
Best time to visit: End of March to Mid-August
Distance from Katra: 419 km
5. Sonamarg: Meadow of Gold
Image Credit: Mehraj Mir For wikipedia
Majestic glaciers and Serene lakes surround this beautiful town near Katra. Sonamarg is a famous hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. Sonmarg is one of the best places near Vaishno devi. To explore the area at its best, stay at the best hotels and resorts in Sonmarg, such as Tranquil Retreat, Rah Villas, Ahsan Mount Resort, Sindh Resorts, and Glacier Heights.
Nearest airport: Srinagar International Airport – 102.0 km
Things to do:
- Fishing in the lake
- Visit different mountains and lakes like Gangabal, Satsar, and Kishansar
- Visit nearby Zoji-la pass
Best places to visit: Vishansar Lake, Zoji-La Pass, and Thajiwas Glacier
Ideal for: group trip, family trip
Ideal trip duration: One to two days
Best time to visit: April to October
Distance from Katra: 132 km
Related Post: Houseboats In Kashmir
6. Patnitop: Patan Da Talab
Image Credit: Shailendrachauhan95 For Wikimedia
Panitop is one of the ideal places to visit if you want to witness nature surrounded by snow-capped mountains. There are different activities to perform in Patnitop. If you are adventurous, you must visit Patnitop for an enthralling experience. It is among the top places to visit near Katra within 200 km.
Places to Stay:
- Hotel Trinetra Resorts
- Akas Resort Patnitop
- Poonch House
- Hotel Tourist Regency
- Travel Tales Eco Stay
Nearest railway station: Jammu Tawi Railway Station -116.9 km
Nearest airport: Jammu and Srinagar airport – 186.1 km
Things to do:
- Skiing
- Trekking
- Paragliding
- Other adventurous sports
Best places to visit: Nathatop, the paragliding spot at Patnitop
Ideal for: a group of friends, adventure junkie
Ideal trip duration: three days
Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
Distance from Katra: 138 km
7. Sanasar: Mini Gulmarg
Image Credit: Imviiku For Wikipedia
Sanasar is one of the least explored hill stations in Jammu. It offers numerous adventurous activities, Making it an ideal extension trip from Jammu and Kashmir. As It is a less explored place, there will be fewer crowds. It is one of the top places to visit near Katra, within 200 km.
Nearest airport: Jammu Airport – 6.0 kms
Things to do:
- Rock climbing
- Paragliding
- Trekking
- sightseeing
Best places to visit: Naag mandir, Rock climbing in WAC
Ideal for: Adventure junkie
Ideal trip duration: two days
Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
Distance from Katra: 142 km
Related Post:Best Places To Visit In Jammu
8. Amarnath: Holiest spot on Earth
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Amarnath is one of the most important religious destinations for Hindus in India. Millions of worshippers visit this place to see the ice Shivalinga. It is said that in the Amarnath cave, Lord Shiva revealed the secret of life and eternity to Parvati.
Nearest airport: Srinagar airport – 181 km
Things to do:
- Visit Amarnath cave
- Amarnath temple
Best places to visit: Amarnath temple, Baltal
Ideal for: worshippers and family trips
Ideal trip duration: one to two days
Best time to visit: May to September
Distance from Katra: 110 km
9. Hemis: Land of Monatries
Image Source: Michael Douglas Bramwell For Wikimedia
Hemis is a lesser-known and unexplored hill station near Katra. It is famous for the Hemis National Park, Hemis Gompa, and various wildlife, such as wolves, red foxes, and marmots. Embark on a journey to Hermis to witness the surreal monasteries and beautiful views. Furthermore, this place is one of the places to visit near Katra within 100 km.
Nearest airport: Leh Rimpochee Airport – 736.5 km
Things to do:
- Visit Hemis National Park
- Witness the amazing wildlife
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Witness snowfall
Best places to visit: Hemis Gompa, Hemis National Park, and Gotsang Gompa
Ideal for: a family trip
Ideal trip duration: two to three days
Best time to visit: May to September
Distance from Katra: 100 km
Related Post: Snowfall In India
10. Pahalgam: Valley of Shepherds
Image Credit: Tanujdogra For Wikimedia Commons
Pahalgam is a hidden gem nestled in Jammu and Kashmir. Its lush greenery, picturesque views, and mesmerizing lakes are magical elements. All the places in Pahalgam are an ode to Nature in all its glory: pristine, unspoilt, and magnificent. Untouched by the trappings of civilization, Pahalgam offers myriad options for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and spiritual seekers.
Nearest airport: Srinagar Airport – 105 kilometres
Things to do:
- Trekking
- sightseeing
Best places to visit: Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, Aru Valley, Sheshnag Lake
Ideal for: Adventure junkie
Ideal trip duration: two days
Best time to visit: March to June and October to February
Distance from Katra: 209.5 km
You May Also Like To Read: Things To Do In Kashmir
Katra is known for its enchanting landscape. Visiting this place can provide you with one of your life’s most memorable and enthralling experiences. Katra is primarily known for the famous Vaishno Devi temple. But once you visit Katra, why not visit other famous hill stations near Katra? Thus, all these places should be on your itinerary list if you plan a trip to Katra.
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Cover image Credit: Vinayaraj For Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Hill Stations Near Katra
What is the best time to Visit Katra?
The best time to visit Katra is from March to October. Although you can see this place any time of the year, but these months will offer you the most soothing and comfortable holiday experience.
What are some of the famous Hill stations near Katra?
Some of the famous hill stations near Katra includes Jammu, Mcleodganj, Hemis, Sanasar, and Patnitop.
What can one buy while visiting Places near Katra?
All hill stations near Katra are famous for different things. But you can buy traditional jewellery, carpets, silverware items, and wood carving objects from places around Katra.
How to Reach Katra from Delhi?
Jammu airport is the nearest airport to Katra. So you can first come to Delhi and take a flight to Katra. But if you want to travel by bus, different buses run at regular intervals from Delhi to Katra.
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An Editor at TravelTriangle who seeks and tries to give off good vibes. It’s her heart that travels when she writes about a destination.
