Magnetic Hill, Gravity hill at National Highway 1 near Leh, India
Magnetic Hill is a hill along National Highway 1 in the Ladakh district of India, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of Leh. The road section runs through a rocky, barren landscape where the slope of the road and the surrounding terrain create a visual distortion.
Travelers noticed in the 20th century that parked vehicles on the roadside appeared to begin moving uphill. The Indian Air Force later used the site as a reference point for flights in the region.
The name Magnetic Hill comes from old reports claiming the site pulled vehicles through invisible forces. Visitors today stop at a marked spot along the roadside to experience the effect themselves and take photos with their vehicles.
The best time to travel is between June and September when the roads to Ladakh are open for vehicles. Visitors should bring water and sun protection, as the altitude of over 4200 meters (14,000 feet) intensifies sun exposure and the air is dry.
Signs along the road mark a white box on the asphalt where visitors should park their vehicles. The mountains behind the hill tilt in such a way that the eye perceives the road as a downslope, even though it actually rises gently.
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