"Visited Magnetic Hill today — the so-called spot where your car is supposed to move uphill on its own, defying gravity. Like most people, I was curious and a bit excited to finally see this “anti-gravity” phenomenon that Leh is known for.

But to be honest, it was underwhelming.

We parked exactly on the marked spot, followed the instructions, and waited. Nothing. No mysterious pull, no uphill movement. Tried shifting into neutral, waited again — still nothing. Other vehicles around us seemed to have the same experience.

I’d heard earlier that it was an optical illusion — that the layout of the surrounding hills creates a false sense of slope, making a downhill road appear to be uphill. And maybe once upon a time, that illusion did work. But now, with newly tarred roads, clearer surroundings, and our phone GPS showing actual elevation, the trick just doesn’t land anymore. You can actually see with the naked eye that the road slightly slopes downhill — so the mystery kind of dissolves.

The location itself is scenic, no doubt. Vast open plains, dusty mountains, and the endless sky make for a great photo stop. But if you’re expecting some magnetic marvel — manage your expectations."

Utkersh Bora

"I visited Magnetic Hills last week while on a trip to Ladakh with my dad. On our second day in Leh, we rented a bike specifically to visit this spot since so many people had recommended it. Unfortunately, the actual destination turned out to be extremely underwhelming.

It’s basically just a spot marked in the middle of a busy highway where you’re expected to stop your vehicle and “see the magic” — which, as it turns out, is just an optical illusion. No one told us it only works with four-wheelers, so being on a bike, we didn’t experience anything at all.

The highway was bustling with fast-moving vehicles, yet ironically, no one was actually around at the Magnetic Hill spot. There’s an ATV, Viking ride, and zip-lining area set up on one side, but all of it was shut when we visited. So, after a long ride to get there, we ended up seeing… pretty much nothing.

That said, I’m still giving this place 3 stars purely because the drive was stunning. The roads are beautifully maintained, and the landscape is absolutely gorgeous — that part made it worth it. We were stopped twice for an inner line permit check (which we had already arranged online), so just a heads-up if you’re planning to head that way.

One local guy we met there told us that years ago, if you placed a compass on the marked spot, it wouldn’t point in any direction — but he said that doesn’t really happen anymore. I’m not sure how much of that is true, but it kind of sums up the vibe: cool in theory, not much in practice.

Overall: a lovely drive, but unless you have loads of time and just want to be somewhere quiet, I wouldn’t recommend making Magnetic Hills a priority"

Marium Javed

"Visited July 19 2025 – Day 16 in India

We spent a lovely afternoon at Magnetic Hill about 30 kilometers from Leh guided by our wonderful tour guide Angmo. She brought the place to life with her deep knowledge and warm storytelling. Though we did not notice any magnetic pull ourselves the experience was delightful and our two little girls ages 5 and 7 absolutely loved it.

Magnetic Hill is a curious stretch of road locally famous as a gravity hill where vehicles parked in neutral appear to drift uphill defying logic. Many visitors believe in an unseen magnetic force while others explain it as an optical illusion shaped by the landscape and obstructed horizon. Mountains rising around the road trick the eye into misjudging the slope. Despite the science the legend of a road to heaven whispered by locals adds a layer of mystic charm.

Angmo encouraged us to park the vehicle in a painted box on the road and though nothing dramatic occurred we took many photos capturing wide Himalayan panoramas and our girls giggling in wonder. The barren hills framed by distant snowy peaks and the flowing Indus River nearby offered a serene almost spiritual backdrop.

Magnetic Hill holds significance as one of Ladakh’s most talked about roadside attractions. It is not just about whether the physics defy gravity it is about being in a striking high altitude landscape witnessing how perception and legend intertwine. The sense of mystery even subtle lingers in your memory long after you have continued driving along the Leh to Kargil road.

Angmo’s gentle guidance enthusiasm and patience with our children made it even more special. She explained the theories shared stories of local folklore answered our endless questions and helped us feel connected to the land and its history.

Although we did not feel our car being pulled upward what we experienced was far richer — the beauty of remote Ladakh framed by a whimsical myth joyful children exploring nature’s quirks and a guide who cared about our comfort and curiosity.

I happily give Magnetic Hill four stars. It is a place where the landscape surprises you and stories unfold. With Angmo’s help it became a memory our family will cherish — a perfect blend of scenery intrigue and heartfelt guidance."

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