Magnetic Hill — the roadside illusion on the Leh–Srinagar highway
What it is
Magnetic Hill is a stretch of the Leh–Srinagar highway about 29 km from Leh where cars appear to roll uphill. Wikivoyage calls it a supposed optical illusion and says it may not be as impressive as its fame.
Photos: Gktambe at English Wikipedia (Public domain) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
Our routing measures about 29 km and 30 minutes by road from Leh. It lies on the way to Alchi and the Zanskar–Indus confluence, so it fits the western day.
Combine it with
The western day puts it first. Read things to do in Leh and how to reach Leh.
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Questions people ask
What is Magnetic Hill?
A stretch of the Leh–Srinagar highway where cars seem to roll uphill. Wikivoyage describes it as a supposed optical illusion that may not be as impressive as its fame suggests. Our routing measures about 29 km and 30 minutes by road from Leh, on the way to Alchi and the Zanskar confluence.
Is it dangerous to stop there?
It is a working highway, with army and goods traffic, so stop only where the road allows and never stand in the carriageway. We have no verified rules or marked bays, so judge it on the day, keep children close and let your driver choose the safest pull-out.
Is it worth a stop?
Wikivoyage suggests stopping on the way to Alchi, since it is on the road anyway. Treat it as a short stop of about 20 minutes, not a destination. The road itself, between bare brown slopes, is the better reason to pause for photographs.