Magnetic Hills of Ladakh

The magnetic hill on the Leh-Kargil-Baltik highway, about 30 kms form Leh, at an altitude of 14,000 ft above sea level, is a phenomenon that has bewildered many. A billboard put up by the local authorities signals the area and two white lines are marked on the road. Vehicles stationed between these two lines move up the hill at about 20 kmph with their engines off.

Locals say the magnetic force of the mountain draws all kinds of vehicles against gravity. Many others believe that this a mere optical illusion and has nothing to do with magnetic fields, electricity or unknown forces.

The truth however, is that a magnetic hill or gravity hill is a type of optical illusion created by rising and descending terrain. It is a place where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion of making a slight downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope.