Green meadow with deodar trees and cottages at Patnitop under a blue sky

Places to Visit Near Katra & Jammu

Cave shrines, hill stations, lakes, forts and palaces within a day's reach of Katra — from Shiv Khori and Patnitop to the temples of Jammu.

Pilgrims climbing stone steps beside rock walls and buildings at Shiv Khori in Reasi district
Pilgrimage

Shiv Khori

A revered cave shrine of Lord Shiva in Reasi district, reached by a walk of a few kilometres from the base at Ransoo — a popular day trip from Katra.

Reasi district About 80 km from Katra by road (sources vary)
Green meadow with deodar trees and cottages at Patnitop under a blue sky
Hill stations

Patnitop

A forested hill resort at about 2,024 m on the old Jammu–Srinagar highway, with meadows, walks and winter snow.

Udhampur district 112 km from Jammu
The long walls of Bahu Fort on a wooded ridge in Jammu glowing at dusk
Heritage

Bahu Fort

Jammu's oldest fort, on a rock face above the Tawi river, home to the temple of Bave Wali Mata and terraced gardens.

Jammu About 5 km from Jammu city centre
Historical photograph of the spired temples of the Raghunath complex in Jammu
Heritage

Raghunath Temple

A celebrated temple complex in the heart of Jammu dedicated to Lord Rama, built between 1835 and 1860.

Jammu
Rolling green slopes at Nathatop with blue mountain ranges in the distance
Hill stations

Nathatop

Open grassy slopes beyond Patnitop with wide Himalayan views, known for paragliding in season and snow in winter.

Near Patnitop
A small lake in the cup-shaped meadow at Sanasar ringed by conifer forest
Nature

Sanasar

A cup-shaped meadow ringed by tall conifers, 17 km from Patnitop, with a small lake, a golf course and paragliding.

Near Patnitop 119 km from Jammu; 17 km from Patnitop
Calm waters of Mansar Lake reflecting the forested hills around it
Lakes

Mansar Lake

A serene lake fringed by forested hills, about 60 km from Jammu, with boating and lakeside shrines.

Near Jammu About 60 km from Jammu
Lakes

Surinsar Lake

A small, tranquil lake in the hills near Jammu — the twin of Mansar, and part of the same Ramsar wetland site.

Near Jammu
Red brick facade of the Amar Mahal palace in Jammu with arched windows and carved stonework
Heritage

Amar Mahal Palace Museum

A red sandstone palace above the Tawi, once the residence of Raja Amar Singh, now a museum of Pahari paintings and royal heritage.

Jammu
Nature

Jhajjar Kotli

A picnic spot on the banks of the clear Jhajjar stream, about 35 km from Jammu on the highway — handy on the way to or from Katra.

Jammu district 35 km from Jammu on the national highway towards Srinagar
The steel arch of the Chenab rail bridge spanning a deep river gorge between mountains in Reasi district
Heritage

Chenab Rail Bridge

A landmark railway arch high above the Chenab river in Reasi district, crossed by trains between Katra and the Kashmir valley.

Reasi district
Pilgrimage

Kol Kandoli Temple, Nagrota

A temple near Nagrota that tradition associates with the Pandavas and with Mata Vaishno Devi. Some pilgrims stop here on the way to Katra.

Jammu district

Planning day trips

  • Hire a taxi for the day from Katra or Jammu, and agree the route, stops and waiting time in advance. See the taxi directory.
  • Hill roads are slow. Distances in kilometres understate travel times.
  • Hill stations like Patnitop can get heavy snow in winter, which can close roads.