Magnet Hill is a "Cyclops hill" located near Leh in Ladakh, India. The layout of the area and surrounding slopes create the appearance of a hill. The hill road is actually a downhill road. Objects and cars on the hill road may appear to roll uphill in defiance of gravity when they are, in fact, rolling downhill.
The other two such magnetic hills are in Gujarat. One is near Bhuj (Kalo dungar - the black hills) and other at Tulsi Shyam.
History
In the 19th century, a cart path was built from the city in the south onto the ridge. The path was subsequently expanded during the early 20th century and during the age of the automobile, ca. 1931, it was noticed that at one point near the base of the ridge when driving south, motorists were required to accelerate in order to prevent rolling backward (i.e., what appears to be uphill). The novelty became known as "Magnetic Hill" and was more-or-less an amusing local attraction for residents and visitors to try.
Eventually with the rise in tourism after the Second World War, along with local highway construction which saw a "Mountain Road" bypass built further west from Magnetic Hill, the roughly 1 kilometre segment of gravel road became one of Moncton’s prime tourist attractions (along with the tidal bore on the Petitcodiac River). Magnetic Hill is now a historic property. To experience Magnetic Hill today, drivers must pay a fee to drive their cars to the end of the road (which has been preserved). When a car is placed in neutral, it will begin to roll backwards, apparently uphill. Observers will also note that water in the adjacent drainage ditches also seemingly runs "uphill."
Magnetic Hill is one of several Canadian icons mentioned in the Stompin' Tom Connors song "Cross Canada", later covered (as "C-A-N-A-D-A") by Raffi on his Bananaphone album.
Best Time To Visit Magnetic Hill
The best time to visit Magnetic Hill in Ladakh (Leh) is from May to October. The tourists can enjoy the place at its best at this time as temperature would be mild during these months ranging from minimum 7 degree celsius to 22 degree celsius at its maximum.
Tourist places near Magnetic Hill
Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers:
Leh India
1.7 km from Magnetic Hill
Gurudwara Pather Sahib:
Leh-Kargil Road Ropar, Leh 194101 India
3.2 km from Magnetic Hill
Phyang Monastery:
Leh Srinagar Highway, Leh 194101 India
12.7 km from Magnetic Hill
Ice Stupa Artificial Glaciers:
India
12.3 km from Magnetic Hill
