Gulmarg attractions bring you to joyride some of the most magnificent landscapes and allow you to see nature in its purest form. Gulmarg, which translates to “Valley of Flowers,” lives up to its name in every aspect. Visitors come worldwide to experience Gulmarg’s best skiing prospects, including thick snow blankets atop high Himalayan peaks and ideal slopes. Gulmarg is a feast for the eyes and an adventurer’s paradise, with breathtaking mountains, fantastic pine woods, gorgeous meadows, and lush valleys. Gulmarg’s Seven Springs, Tangmarg, and Khilanmarg are just a few spots to bask in the natural beauty. Here are some of the top must-see places to visit in Gulmarg:
1. Khilanmarg
This small valley in Gulmarg is a popular tourist destination owing to its incomparable natural beauty in Kashmir and some of the most stunning vistas of the highest Himalayan peaks. It is an ideal combination of nature’s abundance and a profusion of adventure activities, making it a popular destination for thousands. Khilanmarg is one of the most visited places in Gulmarg. It is particularly popular with travellers looking for a goal off the beaten path because it is difficult to get by standard vehicles. You can walk from Gulmarg or hire a pony to transport you here.
2. Alpather Lake
This high-altitude lake, located among the twin peaks of the Apharwat Mountains, is one of Gulmarg’s best attractions. It is also known as the Frozen Lake since it is frozen half the year, from November to June. When in Gulmarg, set aside a day in your itinerary for a trip to Alpather Lake, which involves a full day’s trek beginning in Gulmarg and covering a distance of roughly 13 kilometres. The lake is a must-see for trekking enthusiasts, and a one-day journey from Gulmarg to Alpather Lake is required. The walk is moderately arduous, taking you from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg, then to Apharwat Ridge and finally to Alpather Lake.
3. Ferozepur Nallah
At the Ferozepur Nallah, spend a pleasant sunny afternoon full of magnificent snow-capped mountains and the splendour of pine forests. The name refers to a mountain stream that flows from the Ferozepur Peak. It is generally known as the Shinmahinyu and is about 5 kilometres from Gulmarg. This is one of Gulmarg’s most popular tourist destinations for a quiet and serene trout fishing and angling day. Ferozepur Nallah is yet another tourist site in the vicinity of Gulmarg. Tosamaidan is a point of attraction near Ferozepur Nallah that you may visit while you’re here if you’re looking for extra things to do.
4. Gulmarg Gondola
Gulmarg’s main attraction is its Gondola cable car ride, the world’s second tallest and most protracted. It is an utterly captivating event one notices while planning your travel schedule. The journey is divided into two phases. The first takes you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdoori Station, the centre point, and the second takes you from Kongdoori Mountain to Apharwat Peak. Phase 1 begins at 2,990 m, followed by a 400-meter steep increase. In Phase 2, it ascends another 1,330 vertical metres, bringing you to a total height of about 4,000 m.
5. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
This biosphere reserve, which covers an area of 180 square kilometres, is home to several kinds of flora, wildlife, and birds, including some that are highly uncommon. It is roughly 48 kilometres from Srinagar, and the main attraction here is the musk deer. When you travel deeper into the forest, you may see a brown bear, leopard, hangul, serow, black bear, and red fox. And a diverse variety of avifauna, such as upland birds and pheasants. You may also see griffons, monals, vultures, European hoopoes, jungle crows, Kashmir rollers, blue rock pigeons, koklas, and snow cocks, making it a birder paradise.
6. Strawberry Valley
The luscious green meadows with vivid red fruits dotting the landscape and clear blue skies above are a sight out of a picture book that you will not want to miss. Strawberry Valley in Gulmarg is a little off the usual road, located “just behind a hill,” as most locals would point out when visiting the area. This largely explains the area’s unspoilt attractiveness, as it still needs more tourists. Summers are the busiest months in the valley due to harvesting. Delicious red strawberries abound, making a trip to the actual Garden of Eden a most exciting one. Visitors are permitted to stroll through rows of strawberry plantations, soaking in the scarlet beauty of the surrounding environment.
7. Seven Springs
Seven Springs, located on a hill near Kongdori, is a beautiful stream with seven separate water outputs. This is also the origin of the name Seven Springs. The Seven Springs location is well-known for its breathtaking vistas of mountains and valleys. From here, you can see both the Srinagar and Gulmarg Valleys. You may easily access the lovely Seven Springs by taking a Gondola cable car ride from the Apharwat Mountain’s base, a big attraction in and of itself. With views of snow-capped mountains all about and a thriving valley below, the exciting ride to Seven Springs is one to remember.
8. Gulmarg Golf Course
Sir Neville Chamberlain established the Gulmarg Golf Course during the British government, and it has been one of the top locations to visit in Gulmarg for almost a century. Numerous alpine flowers, smooth undulated hills, and rich mossy turf surround the golf course’s scenic environment, . Combined with crisp cool weather, it is a true golfer’s heaven. Famous golf architect Peter Thomson eventually renovated the course, and it is now a considerable 6,760-yard, par-72, 18-hole golf course. It is not just one of the highest golf courses in the world, but it also has India’s longest hole, a par five measuring 610 yards.
9. Kanchenjunga Museum
The Kanchenjunga Museum in Gulmarg exhibits a significant collection of modern military and mountaineering equipment utilised by the Indian Army during their ascent of the mountains. The site was initially intended to be used as a high-altitude military school, but the museum was later added to commemorate the Armed Forces’ first summit of Kanchenjunga in 1997. Following that, other notable events and expeditions, such as the first successful Everest expedition in 2001, have been recognised in this museum. The museum symbolises enormous respect for the Indian Army.
10. Tangmarg
Stop in this quaint little town on your route to Gulmarg for a glimpse of the incredible natural splendour that surrounds it. Tangmarg, known as the Gulmarg gateway, has exuberant rolling hills, snow-capped peaks, deep jungles, and crystal-clear streams. Tanmarg is located on the lower slope of the Pir Panjal Range, approximately 13 kilometres from Gulmarg and 39 kilometres from Srinagar. There is also a 5km journey from here to Gulmarg if you want to explore deeper into the unique appeal of the location. The road connecting Tangmarg and Gulmarg becomes a heavy blanket of snow throughout winter, making travel dangerous.
11. Gulmarg Children’s Park
The Gulmarg Children’s Park, set among rolling hills, verdant meadows, towering pine trees, and floating clouds, is ideal for adults and children to spend quality time together. The park is one acre in size and has a variety of enjoyable activities for youngsters. The park has everything to keep the little angels entertained for a few hours, from miniature trains and buggy rides to small car rides and a range of other attractions. Stretch your legs after all the trekking and subsequent exhaustion while the kids keep busy. Aside from children’s activities, the park has amenities for youth activities and regular rides and swings for older visitors.
12. Drung Waterfall
The Durung Waterfall, one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Gulmarg’s Tangmarg tehsil, is a sight of majestic beauty amid the steep mountains of India’s northernmost terrains. When the temperature drops below zero degrees in the winter, the water in the fall freezes completely. The sight of the Durung Waterfall in its frozen state is unforgettable, making it a must-see in this region. The falling streams of the fall combine with the chilly waters that flow from the vast Himalayan glaciers to create a spectacular spectacle. If you visit during the summer, you may enjoy the calm and quietness of the area while taking in the inspiring scenery of the waterfall, lakes, streams, and greenery.
13. Igloo Café
The Igloo Café, often known as the ‘Snowglu,’ has opened at Gulmarg’s famed Kolahoi ski resort. Syed Wasim Shah, the creator of the igloo, was inspired by a similar concept in Switzerland and brought it to Gulmarg. During the snow season, the café is constructed entirely of snow. Guests inside the café can enjoy breathtaking views of beautiful white snow and snow-covered slopes in the distance. Inside, the café contains several tables built entirely of snow and a big centrepiece made of snow. The walls are intricately patterned, and the doorway is arched.
14. Lienmarg
Lien Marg is highly recognised for its immense natural beauty and picture-book sceneries. It is roughly 10 kilometres from Gulmarg and sits at an elevation of 8,700 feet above sea level. The location is surrounded by dense pine trees and grassy terrains, making it excellent for arranging sporting activities and a popular camping spot. Throughout the winter, the facility transforms into a sprawling winter resort for winter sports enthusiasts. To get to Lienmarg, tourists must first cross the Ningle Nallah by walking across a bridge or hiring horses from adjacent villages for a short and uncomplicated trip to the site. The location is open to tourists all year and attracts crowds of visitors.
15. Maharani Temple
Queen Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of the previous ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, who was king until 1915 and was an avid worshipper at this temple, established the Maharani Temple or Rani Temple. The temple was utilised as a royal temple for many years by the monarchs of the Dogra dynasty, the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Because of the unique feature of this structure, it is one of the fascinating locations to visit in Gulmarg. The temple was built to be seen from any point in Gulmarg. It is also known as Mohineshwar Shivalaya and relates to Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction, and his consort, Goddess Parvati.
