Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir | Things to do in Jammu & Kashmir

Gulmarg derives its root from "the meadow of flowers" and is indeed a picturesque location. Known for its unparalleled beauty, Gulmarg's virgin forests are a welcoming sight to all tourists. The lush green slopes, their silence broken by the occasional tinkling of cowbells, have been the locale for several films. The rich verdure with the snow-capped tips provide an ideal ambience for the skiing and winter sports.

Location

Located in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is in the Baramulla district, 57 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar. It is perched at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and is not very far from the Indo-Pakistan border. It has a gently sloping topography generally identified with European skiing of the 1940s and 1950s.

Tourists Attractions

From Gulmarg, a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Seven Springs. It takes a couple of hours by pony, and slightly longer on foot. Khilanmarg offers an unparalleled view of the great Himalayan range. From here, across the Apharwat-the peak that looks up from this point-is Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake that remains frozen until late June. It is located at a distance of about 13 km from Gulmarg. For horse riding freaks, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, and one has to start early morning and return by late evening. Slightly lower than Gulmarg is the shrine of Baba Reshi (a Muslim mystic saint), which is visited by people of all faiths.

Best time to Visit Gulmarg

Adorning the high reaches of the Himalayas and flanked by towering, snow clad mountains, Gulmarg is a destination of cold climes and hence can be accessed year-round by the tourists. However, the best time to visit Gulmarg is between November and February as this is the ideal period to enjoy winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and many more in the town. The allure of white sheets of snow and thrill of the winter sports is simply inescapable. Moreover, people from all over the country and abroad visit Gulmarg during these months to participate in the famous Gulmarg Winter Festival and Snow Festival. Make sure to pack a lot of woolen clothes as temperatures can drop to subzero levels during this time. Tourists who want to avoid the heavy snow during the winter months can contemplate visiting Gulmarg in the spring season (March to May). This is the time when colorful flowers render the place an incredible vibrancy while the weather is also sufficiently pleasant to assist exploration and sightseeing this beautiful place.

How To Reach

By Air

The nearest road to access Gulmarg is the Srinagar Airport, located approximately 56 kilometers away. The airport handles regular flights from major domestic locations like Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar etc. Taxis are available from the airport to Gulmarg. You can hire them either individually or on the sharing basis.

By Rail

Jammu is the nearest station to Gulmarg. It is approximately 290 kilometers away and is well connected by important trains like Rajdhani Express, Himgiri Express etc. to major cities and towns like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi etc. within the country. Regular and efficient Taxis, Cabs and Buses are available to transport travelers from the station to Gulmarg and locations within it.

By Road

Gulmarg is connected by Srinagar through NH 1A. It is approximately 57 kilometers away. Besides, buses are available from other locations to this beautiful town as well. The road trip to Gulmarg is full of most amazing and breathtaking views. Tourists driving by own car or cab, will find the ride to Gulmarg, as one of the most mesmerizing journeys of their lifetime.