Unforgettable places in Gulmarg Kashmir for GeoTourism

Gulmarg Kashmir

Gulmarg is a Picturesque place nestled in the Pir Panjal range of the Western Himalayas at an altitude of 2648 meters above sea level. Situated in Baramulla District, Gulmarg is 51 km away from Srinagar. Gulmarg is translated as ‘Meadow of Flowers’ it is covered with snow-peaked alps, colorful meadows, pine-covered slopes, and deep valleys. The valley is known for its ski resort and the Gulmarg Gondola- Asia’s second-longest cable car ride and the highest golf course in the world at an altitude of 2,650 meters. Gulmarg is the ultimate destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. It offers a number of activities such as skiing, snowboarding, horse riding, snow scooter, tobogganing, and sightseeing options. Gulmarg used to be a summer retreat resort for the Britisher in the 19th century. The place was also the summer retreat of Emperor Jehangir. Gulmarg is one of the favorite spots for Bollywood and several movies have been shot here such as ‘Bobby’ and recent releases ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, ‘Phantom’, Highway, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ and Haider.

Best places to visit in Gulmarg Kashmir

Gulmarg Gondola Cable car

Gulmarg Gondola is a major attraction and the second-highest cable car ride in the world. the cable car ride offers a magnificent view around Kongdoori at a height of 2590 meters and Gulmarg to Apharwath peaks at a height of 4114 meters. The Gondola offers a spectacular view of Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, the Himalayan ranges, Pir Panjal range, Nanda Devi, and the Line of Control.

Apharwat Peak

Apharwat peak is situated at a height of 4,200 meters above sea level.  It is a charismatic snow crest mountain peak with a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the entire valley. Covered with snow, it is a hot spot for skiing and has slopes and trails suitable for tourists. During summers as the snow melts, the landscape transforms into lush verdant grasslands making it suitable for horse rides. The Alpathar lake at the base of the Aphwarat peaks is gets frozen during winters and becomes a thriving lake surrounded by greenery during summers. It is a nature paradise and a must-visit destination for geotouristic. The 1-day journey from Gulmarg to Alpather Lake follows the Gulmarg- Khilanmarg, Apharwat Ridge, Alpather Lake route. Gorgeous flowers and trees surround the lake during the summer, which is eye-catching.

Khilanmarg

6 km away from Gulmarg, Khilanmarg is a natural meadow that offers a splendid panoramic view of the Himalayan range including the Nanga Parbat. it is a favorite destination for tourists, during spring and the spectacular landscape is engulfed with vibrant blossoming flowers in winter, it’s one of the ski runs popular with skiing enthusiasts.

Gulmarg is also known for several religious shrines- Maharani temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiv and Parvati and was built by Maharaja Hari Sisodia belongs to the Dogra Kings, The ziarat or tomb of Baba Reshi is a 13th-century shrine of Muslim saint Baba Payam-Uddin. The St Mary’s church was built in 120 by the British, Made of grey bricks and a green roof with ornate wooden walls. It is considered a ‘Victorian architectural wonder’ and looks brilliant when surrounded by snow.

Strawberry valley

The Strawberry Valley in Gulmarg is a lush green valley famous for vivid red fruits dotting the landscape. The clear blue skies above contrast the beautiful green plants and red strawberries. The summer season is the busiest in the valley, as it is the season for harvest. A trip to this Garden of Eden is best experienced by the abundance of ripe red strawberries. Tourists are permitted to walk among strawberry plantations.

Seven springs

Seven Springs is a large stream with 7 separate water sources and is one of the best sites to see magnificent natural scenery in Gulmarg. It is situated on a hillside in Kongdori and has spring water that never freezes. A Gondola cable ride from the base of Apharwat Mountain is the best way to get to Seven Springs.

Things to do in Gulmarg Kashmir

Skiing

Gulmarg is a world-class ski resort destination and attracts a lot of skiers from all around the world. Skiing and other snow activities are carried out on the slopes of Apharwat mountains which are at a height of 426 meters. The Gulmarg Gondola connects Gulmarg with Apharwath Mountain from where one can ski down the trail crossing the gondola valley and poma terrain. The ski terrain adorned with Pine trees and snow-covered slopes offers a mesmerizing view for skiers. The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is also located here and offers courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and other activities.

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Gulmarg Golf courses

Gulmarg is also known for its beautiful and large lush green golf courses. Gulmarg’s international golf course is at the highest altitude in the world. One can hire a Golf kit to play golf in Gulmarg. It is also considered to be an important trekking base camp in Kashmir. Leinmarg is a grassy meadow that offers excellent camping sites.

Gulmarg biosphere reserve

The Gulmarg biosphere reserve is known for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including some extremely rare species. It covers an area of 180-sq km. Travelers here can see the musk deer, brown bears, hangul, leopard, black bear, and red fox. Apart from green forest cover, the area offers a verdant scenic appearance. The landscape is mostly dominated by towering conifers. It is open to tourists and visitors every day. Adventure seekers can choose to stay in nearby camps. The reserve’s beauty and attraction increase from March to June when the flowers are in full bloom, and it becomes a paradise for birdwatchers.

How to Reach Gulmarg Kashmir

The nearest airport is Srinagar Airport, A cab can be hired from there directly to Gulmarg. The closest railway head is Jammu station. The bus station nearest to Gulmarg is Katra Bus Stand. Buses are available from Katra to Kashmir, Gulmarg, Udhampur, Ladakh, Leh, Khilanmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar. The best season to visit Gulmarg is from October to June as it is the perfect destination, especially during winters when the snow-capped landscape transforms into the premier destination for winter sports in India.