Places to Visit in Gulmarg

One of the main attractions in Gulmarg, the Kongdori- Gulmarg Gondola is the second longest and second-highest cable car ride in the world. The entire ride is divided into two phases in which it ferries people to and from the Apharwat Mountain, the site where most of the winter sports in Gulmarg take place.

One of the best places to visit in Gulmarg for wildlife enthusiasts, the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve gives you ample opportunities to observe biodiversity in its richest form, the exquisite species of flora, fauna and avifauna. Capture the animals, including both common and rare species, in their different moods and moments in this reserve located at an altitude that ranges between 2,400 and 4,300 metres above sea level.

The Strawberry Valley is one of the lesser-known attractions in Gulmarg and thus has preserved much of its nascent beauty with rolling green meadows covered with bright red strawberry farms. Summers are the best time to visit the plantations when the fruits are at their ripest form and it is almost time for a harvest. 

Seven Springs in Gulmarg came by this name after the seven natural outlets of water here. It is a majestic stream located atop a little hill near Kongdori. The place is a popular tourist attraction primarily for the scenic views of the nearby areas from here. You can also get picturesque views of both the Gulmarg and Srinagar valleys from here. 

One of the highest green golf courses in the world, the Gulmarg Golf Course also comes with a clubhouse that has its very own historical significance. If you want to try your hand at golfing, there are golf sets that you can hire and instructors to make that perfect. You can also get a temporary membership here if you wish to give golfing a go.

Set at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea level, this 6 km walk is actually a miniature valley and one of the most sought after places to visit in Gulmarg. It is surrounded by majestic sights of the mighty Himalayas and some of its tallest peaks. Apart from immense natural beauty, Khilanmarg also offers opportunities for plenty of adventure sports here.

Baba Reshi Ziyarat is a shrine at Baramula which belongs to the renowned Muslim saint Baba Payam-Uddin who was also a famous courtier in the court of the king of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin. The shrine has been constructed at the site where the saint breathed his last in the year 1480 and has become one of the most popular places to visit in Gulmarg ever since.

Constructed by the wife of a former Kashmiri ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, Mohini Bai Sisodia, the Maharani Temple is also popularly referred to as the Rani Temple. The most fascinating aspect of the Shiva and Parvati temple is that it has been constructed in such a way that it can be seen from all corners of Gulmarg. 

Initially constructed to serve as a high-altitude military school, the Kanchenjunga Museum was later set up to mark the first summit of the Indian armed forces to the Kanchenjunga in 1997. Today, the museum holds an enviable collection of mountaineering gear and equipment that were used in the mountains by the Indian army as well as displays of modern warfare.

Perched cozily upon the slopes of the Pir Panjal range, Tangmarg is a quaint little town that makes for a perfect stopover and one of the best places to visit in Gulmarg. It is situated at a distance of about 13 km from Gulmarg and nearly 39 km from Srinagar. In winters the route from Tangmarg to Gulmarg is a thick blanket of white snow.

This wondrous Victorian architecture stands tall with pride even after a century since it was instituted. The St. Mary’s Church in Gulmarg is located near the Golf course and makes for one of the top places to visit in Gulmarg. The beauty of the church is especially pronounced during the winter season with snow-laden parapets and stunning peace.

The Children’s Park in Gulmarg spans an area of nearly 1 acre and exotically surrounded by majestic hills, gorgeous conifers, floating clouds and scintillating water. It is among the best tourist places in Gulmarg for children with a plethora of kiddy attractions like toy train, car rides, buggy rides and several other rides, making it an ideal place to spend quality time with friends and family.

This fascinating water body is located at the base of the twin peaks of Apharwat Mountains amid lush meadows and rocky hills. The sheer beauty of the location attracts nature lovers and photography enthusiasts from far and wide. You can also take a pony ride here and explore the snow covered roads around the area.

Ferozepur Nallah is a mountain stream near Gulmarg that has its origins in the Ferozepur Peak. Popularly known as the Shinmahinyu, the stream lies at a distance of almost 5 km from Gulmarg and is very popular among those looking for an ideal spot to pursue fishing and angling. The area is surrounded on all sides by lofty mountains and beautiful pine trees.

The Drung Waterfall is one of the most popular tourist places in Gulmarg. Located in the Tangmarg tehsil of Gulmarg, Baramulla, this is a heavily cascading waterfall that is set in the midst of majestic mountains. The main feature of this waterfall that makes it so attractive is that it gets completely frozen in the winter season owing to extremely low temperatures.

Located at a height of 4,200 m above sea level, Apharwat Peak is one of those places in Gulmarg that lends this destination its breathtaking beauty. The peak is positioned strategically close to the Line of Control with neighboring Pakistan and is covered in deep snow for most parts of the year. This is also the site where most of the winter sports in Gulmarg are organized.

Ningle Nallah is a beautiful mountain stream surrounded by snow-clad mountains and pastures carpeted with lush greenery. The stream flows about 10 km from Gulmarg, in the Baramulla district and the main sources of water of the stream is the melting of ice in Apharwat Peak as well as the Alpather Lake.

Lienmarg is situated at a height of 8,700 feet above sea level and lies about 10 km from the Gulmarg town. One of those places in Gumarg known for its rich natural beauty, it comes with picture book pine forests and green grass carpeted landscape. Such a landscape is also ideal for organizing camping trips and other sports activities here, particularly winter sports.  

This is one of the newest tourist attractions in Gulmarg and also a record holder for being the largest of its kind in the whole of Asia. The Igloo Café is a snowy marvel where visitors can enjoy a dining experience amid fluffy white snow till as far as the eyes can see. The café is built of snow and even has decorated interiors with tables and chairs also made of snow. 

A trip to Gulmarg is incomplete without a visit to one of the many holy sites that dot the picturesque town. Apart from the spirituality and peace that the pilgrim site has to offer, the site also gives some of the best views of the Himalayas. Imambara Goom is one of the best places to make a start with your entire family.