Sanasar is a hill station in Udhampur district, Jammu. Kashmir Travel Guide is an independent travel guide to Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh, published at kashmirtravelguide.co.in, and this is its entry for Sanasar.
This Sanasar travel guide covers the cup-shaped meadow 20 km west of Patnitop in Udhampur district: the lake and the lawns, paragliding off the ridge, the walk up to the Shank Pal temple, snow in winter, and how to reach Sanasar from Patnitop and Jammu.
Summary
In short: plan 1 day in Sanasar, come between All year, arrive by air or rail.
| Also written | Sanasar Lake, Sana and Sar |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33.1264° N, 75.2572° E Directions ↗ |
Published Last reviewed How this entry is checked
Things to do in Sanasar
Sanasar is a pair of villages, Sana and Sar, that give their name to a bowl of meadow at about 2,050 m, ringed by conifer forest and reached by a side road from Patnitop. A small lake sits in the middle of the grass, a golf course occupies one side, and the ridges above are the launch sites that have made this the paragliding place of the Jammu region. It is quieter and more open than Patnitop, and most visitors treat it as a day from there, though there are huts and camps for a night.
The meadow and the lake
The lake is small and shallow, with boating in season and a fenced park around it; the meadow beyond is where families spread out, ponies wait and, in spring, the tulip garden by the lake flowers for a few weeks. Walk the rim of the bowl for the full view: the meadow below, the forest edge, and on a clear day the snow of the Pir Panjal to the north.
Paragliding and the adventure camp
Sanasar is the region's paragliding site, with tandem flights from the slopes above the meadow when the wind allows, usually in spring and autumn and on settled summer mornings. Rock climbing, abseiling and camping are run by the adventure operators and the tourism department in season. Ask who is licensed and what the flight includes before you pay.
The Shank Pal temple walk
A few hours' climb from the meadow reaches the Shank Pal temple at about 2,900 m, a 400-year-old stone shrine to the serpent deity Nag Shankh Pal, built without mortar on an open ridge. The walk is the best half-day here, with the meadow spread out below and the higher ranges beyond; carry water and start early. Camping near the temple is possible for those equipped for it.
Best time to visit Sanasar
Sanasar is an all-season destination and people come throughout the year; the best time to visit is April to June for the green meadow and flying weather, and December to February for snow.
- April to June: the meadow at its best, the tulip bloom in April, paragliding on most mornings; the May–June holiday weekends are the busiest.
- July to September: the monsoon greens everything and fills the lake, but flights are grounded on wet days and the side road can be cut by landslides.
- October and November: clear, cool and quiet, with good flying in October; the finest views of the year.
- December to March: snow covers the bowl and the road from Patnitop may close for days after a fall; the meadow under snow is beautiful and empty. Confirm the road before you set out.
A day from Patnitop
The usual plan is a morning drive from Patnitop, three or four hours on the meadow with a flight or a walk, and the return by mid-afternoon. A night in the JKTDC huts or a camp turns it into the quieter of the two resorts, with the meadow to yourself at dawn. From Jammu it is a long day; better to stay at Patnitop or Sanasar itself.
How do you get to Sanasar?
Working out how to reach Sanasar starts at Patnitop: the meadow is about 20 km west of it on a narrow hill road through the forest, roughly 45 minutes by car.
By road: from Jammu, about 130 km and 3½ to 4 hours via Udhampur and the old highway to Patnitop, then the Sanasar road. By rail: Udhampur, about 65 km. By air: Jammu Airport, about 130 km.
There is no regular bus onto the meadow; hire a taxi at Patnitop or bring your own car. If you have not chosen a base, Jammu city is the gateway for the whole region.
What should you know before visiting Sanasar?
These Sanasar travel tips assume a day on an open meadow at 2,000 m.
- Confirm the Sanasar road is open, especially after snow or heavy rain; it is the only way in.
- Carry a warm layer and sun protection; the bowl is exposed to both.
- Book paragliding through a licensed operator and check the weight limits, insurance and the day's wind before paying.
- Wear walking shoes if you plan the Shank Pal climb, and carry water; there is nothing on the ridge.
- Keep to the paths around the lake and off the golf course.
- Carry cash and expect little phone signal.
- Take litter away, and do not drive vehicles onto the grass.
Common questions
Is Sanasar better than Patnitop?
They are different: Patnitop is a forest resort with huts and Nathatop's snow, Sanasar is an open meadow with a lake and flying. Most people stay at Patnitop and give Sanasar a day.
Can I paraglide at Sanasar?
Yes, in tandem with a licensed pilot, on days when the wind allows; spring and autumn are the most reliable. Bookings are made on site through the operators.
How hard is the walk to the Shank Pal temple?
A steady climb of a few hours each way on a hill path, gaining around 850 m. Fit walkers manage it comfortably; start early and carry water.
Where does this information come from?
This guide is written from official and locally verified sources, and leaves a figure out rather than guessing at it. Every entry shows the day it was published and the day a person last checked it. For anything that moves with the day, go to the authority that publishes it:
- Flights and airport information: Airports Authority of India
- Train times and availability: Indian Railways
- Weather warnings and forecasts: India Meteorological Department
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