Travel guide to the top of Padri Pass
Padri Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.037m (9,963ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, in northern India.
Located in the Himalayas mountain range, the road to the summit is mostly paved, with some short gravel sections along the way. It’s called Bhaderwah - Chamba Road. Many drivers take this route to avoid the dangerous Saach Pass and Killar-Kishtwar Road on the way to North or the opposite side. The surrounding landscape of forests and lush green meadows make it a picturesque destination.
The pass is 99.7 km (61.95 mile) long. It runs from the village of Bhadarwah towards Surangani. Pay attention to the conditions of the road. You can see people of villages and animals by the road so drive slowly is a good suggestion. The area was a popular hide out for the terrorists escaping from Doda – Kishtwar area.
When the snow falls - which it does in the winter – things get tough and slippery. Padri receives the heaviest snowfall in the area. The road was opened for outsiders in 2012-2013. Padri is famous as a picnic spot. The area is ideal for adventure sports like snow-skiing in winters and paragliding in summers.
Road suggested by: Jorge Manuel Gómez Sánchez
Pic: Atique Mujawar