The hidden gem of Kashmir Yusmarg, also known as “Meadow of Jesus”, is a large area of lush pastureland in the district Budgam. It is a perfect tourist destination for people who revere nature. What’s more exciting is that you get to explore Yusmarg’s worth-visiting off-beat locations. Yusmarg is a small slice of paradise in and of itself, free from the constraints of the ordinary. Here is a list of some of the most-visited and lesser-known places in Yusmarg to help you make your journey easier.
1. DOODH GANGA RIVER
Doodhganga, a stunning river that runs through lovely Yusmarg, is well-known for the milky appearance of its water. The river is one of Yusmarg’s worth-visiting places for angling and fishing because of its abundant population of trout fishes. It serves as an ideal starting point for trek lovers. Following a night of camping at Doodhganga, hikers depart for well-known treks in Tatakooti, Sang-e-Safed Valley, and Sunset Peak. The area is pretty beautiful, and there aren’t many people there.
2. NILNAG LAKE
The high-altitude lake of Nilnag sits a little ahead of the Doodh Ganga river, tucked up in a deep pine forest. Trek from Yusmarg to this location is likely 3-4 hours of stumbling over muddy trails through a dense jungle. The destination is breathtaking, even though the path is messy. The crystal-clear blue waters of the lake, which reflect the surrounding greenery and the sky like a mirror, are truly remarkable. You can also hire a guide to make things easy for you. Wait! You can also hire a pony if you’re not very fond of trekking.
3. SANG-E-SAFED VALLEY
Around 10 kilometres from Yusmarg is the “White Rocks” or Sang-e-Safed Valley, an oval-shaped meadow well-known for its frozen lake. Doodh Ganga river traverses the valley. Ponies can also take you to this valley, or you can choose to trek. You can visit the valley for a picnic or camping and enjoy the beauty of the expansive meadows. The thick pine forest encircling the valley is the starting point for hikes up to Mount Tatakooti.
4. LIDDER MAD AND HAIJAN
Are you eyeing the best Yusmarg places? About 4 kilometres from Yusmarg are two other pastures en route to Sang-e-Safed. You can visit these two meadows on your return from Sang-e-Safed valley or visit these two first and then visit Sang-e-Safed. These verdant meadows have beautiful guarding pine trees and gigantic peaks with cloud rings that catch everyone’s attention. So do not forget to include them in your bucket list.
5. DOODHPATHRI
A remote and peaceful hill station about 42 km from the capital city of Srinagar, at an elevation of 8957 feet above sea level. Doodhpathri to Yusmarg distance is about 65 kilometres. Doodhpathri, which translates to Valley of Milk, seems to originate from the river that appears milky when it spurts into the valley. The endless emerald green meadows, the crystal clear river, and the towering Pine trees define this beautiful location. Do not forget to stroll among the ice stones of all sizes that border the Doodhpathri river and chill your feet in its refreshing water.
6. TOSA MAIDAN
Tosa Maidan is a meadow in Khag Tehsil of District Budgam. The place is well-known for its historical significance in addition to its status as a grassland which is the largest in the vicinity. Deodars that reach the sky while surrounding the pasture give the meadow the appearance of a green carpet in the summer. Summertime also offers a captivating view of the Gujjar community’s encampment and shepherds tending to their grazing flocks. Also, the aroma of wildflowers revitalizes the surrounding area.
7. CHARAR-E-SHARIEF
18km from Yusmarg, on the way to Srinagar, is a little settlement known as Charar-e-Sharief dargah, one of the most prestigious sufi shrines in this area. It’s the resting place of the revered saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, also known as Sheikh-ul-Alam. Not only are Muslim worshippers drawn to this 600-year-old wooden shrine, but Hindus also hold it in high regard. Sheikh-ul-Alam’s finest philosophical works in poetry, verses, and prose are still famous in Kashmir.
8. PAKHERPORA SHRINE
Muslims frequently travel to Yusmarg to see the sacred mausoleum of Syed Balkhi, the Pakherpora Shrine. Syed Balkhi continued to live and practice Islam in Kashmir under Sheikh-ul-Alam’s guidance. As a result of Balkhi’s appeal to the Sheikh, it’s thought that the graveyard plot where his relatives were interred in Balk was magically moved to its current location. The term “Pokher”, which means “piece of land”, is where the name Pakherpora originates.
9. HIRPORA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Located 50km from Yusmarg is Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to over 130 different bird species and has a remarkably diverse fauna. It is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir. This wildlife refuge has diverse vegetation, including mixed coniferous woods, sub-alpine meadows, and deciduous sub-alpine scrub woodlands that make it unique. Some of its prominent animals are the Tibetian Wolf, Leopard, and Musk Deer, which fall under the category of endangered species.
10. TATAKOOTI PEAK
Trekkers going up Tatakooti Peak with enthusiasm. Picture Source: Cliffhangers India
Tatakooti Peak, which rises to 4760m, is one of the tallest peaks in Kashmir’s Pir Panjal region. It is located on Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam-Poonch district border. Known as the safest and most technical peak in Kashmir. You can access the summit when you start from Doodhpathri valley. You can see Nun Kun, Kolahoi, Sirbal, Harmukh, Nanga Parbat, and other magnificent peaks once you reach the summit. See Jammu and Kashmir in all their glory from this vantage.
11. NARANAG
A lovely spring known as Naranag or Narain Nag is located close to the town of Khag in the district of Budgam. This spring, according to locals, unites with Naranag only after flowing several kilometres beneath the surface of the ground and is thought to have its origins in Tosa Maidan spring. The spring’s water is usually cold in the summer and warm in the winter. The spring is also well-known for its fish. There is also the famous Naranag Temple ruins near the spring that tells a story about the architecture of that time.
12. SUNSET PEAK
Sunset Peak, or Romesh Thong, is the highest peak in Kashmir’s Pir Panjal Range. It’s a mountain massif that is 4745 meters high. Despite the trek’s ease, you need to be a little fit. The hiking expedition begins in summer in the well-known vacation spot Yusmarg. The environs of this peak are lush green and home to a wide variety of birds, animals, and plants, thanks to the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary. The views from this hike are some of the best ones you can get in this area, especially at sunset.
13. PALMAIDAN
About 5km from Doodhpathri is another meadow known as Palmaidan. The word Palmaidan translates into a place of large stones. The place is called so because of the enormous stones that cover the entire land. Here shepherds frequently go to graze their herds and animals. The meadow Looks incredible with the richness of Pine and Deodar trees. A tiny brook runs along one side of this maidan, which is picturesque.
14. SRINAGAR
The capital city of Srinagar is one of the places you must visit on your trip to the beautiful and lesser-known Yusmarg. With Srinagar to Yusmarg distance being just around 50km, you have to take some time to appreciate the beauty of Srinagar. There are numerous lakes and lovely gardens here, which make it a heaven of its own. You must see this picturesque town’s natural wonders and architectural marvels to make your trip worthwhile.
15. DANIZEB AND DRAGDOLAN MEADOWS
One location that has drawn a lot of hikers recently is the Danizeb Trek. The journey to this meadow deserves its place on every hiker’s bucket list because of its breathtaking views and large lush-green meadows. And if you plan to stay for more days, you can explore nearly half a dozen Alpine lakes nearby. The trip begins in Yusmarg meadows and proceeds along a forest path until it reaches Dragdolan, a clearing between two forests. This location has lovely camping areas that will make you fall for the place.
This awe-striking place doesn’t get a lot of visitors despite being close to Srinagar. The visitors stay here for just one day, and only a few tourists prefer to stick around to explore the place. So far as the accommodation is concerned, we can’t promise you any fancy Yusmarg hotels. But you have one lodging option with cosy huts skilfully built in shades of brown and green that fall under the care of JKTDC Hutment Complex. Yusmarg’s weather changes according to season changes in Kashmir. So the best time for you to visit this place is June and September.
