The popular Ladakh Magnetic Hill is a cycloped hill with vehicles defying the strength of gravity and heading up the hill, parked at a marked place. Park the car in a neutral set in the yellow box, a few meters before the Magnetic Hill Road, to experience this phenomenon. The car begins to move with 20 kmph from this point on.
While the mysterious magnetic hill has myths, the fact is that the area and the hills surrounding it give an optical illusion. The downhill road is an ascending road which slowly takes the car upwards, which seems to rise up to gravity when it rolls downhill.
The Myth behind the Mystery of Magnetic Hill
We live in an odd world where there is sometimes no logical explanation for beliefs and superstitions. People say the hill has superpowers to take the dignified into the sky. However, behind this majestic magnetic hill there are not one but two plausible scientific explanations.
The Optical Illusion Theory
This Magnetic hill is an optical illusion of the descending and ascending terrain, the first theory states. The lines of the road and the absence of a visible horizon create a path downhill that looks like an uphill path.
The Magnetic Field Theory
In the second theory, there is a strong magnetic force on the hill that pulls cars in its range. This theory was collaborated by many tourists and the Indian Air Force officials.
The hill is situated at an altitude of around 14,000 feet above sea level at a distance of 30 km from the city of Leh on the Leh-Kargil-Baltik National Highway. It is one of the most important tourist sights and a nearly important stop for all those traveling to Ladakh. An optical illusion or actuality, The Magnetic Hill in Ladakh has mysterious magnetic properties that attract tourists from all around the world.
Best Time to Visit : July to September
Time Required : 30 minutes
Altitude : 14000 ft
Location : Leh-Kargil-Baltic National Highway - 7.5 km southeast of Nimmoo and 26.5 km west of Leh on Srinagar-Ladakh road
Entry Fee : FREE (No entry permits or tickets required)