Gulmarg Travel Guide

Located at an elevation of 2,650 m, Gulmarg is a small hilly town in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. The picturesque hamlet is situated in the Pir Panjal Range and surrounded by the mesmerizing snow-clad mountains.

Gulmarg is an ideal retreat for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Famous for skiing, Gulmarg offers one of the best skiing experiences in India. Gulmarg is known as the “Heartland of Winter Sports in India” and is a perfect blend of adventure and peace.

Places To See In Gulmarg

1. Gulmarg Gondola – Gulmarg Gandola provides one of the best experiences to savour the beauty of Gulmarg. It is Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest cable car project. The cable car connects Gulmarg with Apharwath Mountain at an elevation of 3,747 m. After travelling to the mountain via cable car, you can ski down from the long snow-filled route.
   For those who are not comfortable at such heights, you can go up till Phase I of the ride leading to Kongdori Valley.
   Note that, Gulmarg Gandola is a popular place and you’ll see long lines in the morning even before it opens. Be early, the ride is worth it!
2. Maharani Temple – Maharani Temple is a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati and located in a hill top amidst lush greenery with the snow-clad peaks in the backdrop. The red sloped roof of the temple is visible from all the corners of Gulmarg and is a famous destination. You must have already seen the temple in the song, “Jai Jai Shiv Shankhar” of the movie “Aap ki Kasam.” Remember?
3. Gulmarg Golf Club – Located at an elevation of 2,650 m, Gulmarg Golf Club is the highest green golf club in the world. There are 18 holes stretched over 7,505 yards over elevated land and rough tracks, presenting a perfect and interesting challenge to the golfers. The whole area of the golf club is extremely scenic.
4. Alpather Lake – The icy Alpather Lake that remains frozen for most part of the year lies in the lap of Alpather peaks embraced with the wild flowers around. Alpather Lake lies 13 km ahead of Gulmarg and you can reach here either by trek or pony. Ice skating is one of the options that shouldn’t be missed here.
5. St. Mary’s Church – Built in the early 20th century, St. Mary’s Church is a small church featuring Victorian style of architecture with grey stone walls and sloped green roof. Surrounded by lush green meadows, towering alpine trees, and majestic mountains, all of which are covered in snow during winters, add a rustic charm to the place. The timeworn hotels and huts adds a unique charm to the area.
6. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve – If you wish to see wide varieties of flora and fauna, and a peaceful stroll in nature, then you must visit Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. Spread over an area of 180 sq. km, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is famousfor its collection of rare and endangered species like the musk deer and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Visit the place with ample time so that you can catch sight of the rare animals and take in the beauty of the place.
7. Kongdori – Perched at an elevation of 3,100 m, Kongdori is a mountain top perfect for powder skiing and snowboarding. Phase I of Gulmarg Gandola leads up to Kongdori and you can reach here comfortably. Kongdori is one of the best places that you can visit in Gulmarg with its perfect blend of adventure and serenity.
8. Apharwath Mountain – Located at an elevation of 4,390 m, Apharwath Mountain is covered with snow almost throughout the year. Thanks to Gulmarg Gandola, you can easily reach this place despite its high elevation. The views from Apharwath Mountains is breath-taking with mountains capped with snow and thick blankets of snow surrounding it all over. You can ski, engage in fun activities, or simply take in the beauty of this paradise.
9. Ningli Nallah – The most famous picnic spot of Gulmarg, Ningli Nallah is located 8 km from Gulmarg and is an ideal place to visit with your family and friends. Ningli Nallah is a stream that originates in Allapatri Naag and goes through scenic villages such as Wagoora and Kalantara. Trek to Ningli Nallah if you have extra time at hand as the route leading to the place is enjoyable and refreshing.
10. Khilanmarg – Khilanmarg is a scenic valley located just 4 km from Gulmarg. You can relish the views of Nanga Parbat, Nun, and Kun peaks, all the while relaxing amidst the beautiful floras. You will see animals grazing calmly at this little valley and the serenity of the place will definitely bring your mind to peace.

Things To Do In Gulmarg

1. Skiing – Skiing is the topmost thing Gulmarg is famous for and you can’t afford to miss it. There are numerous places where you can ski in Gulmarg. It doesn’t matter if you know skiing or not. The guides will teach you and you will learn it quickly.
2. Sightseeing – The beautiful weather and the charming places can make anyone fall in love with Gulmarg. Explore Gulmarg by visiting the places mentioned above and know this paradise a little better.
3. Golfing – As Gulmarg hosts one of the highest green golf club in the world- Gulmarg Golf Club, why not try your hand at golfing there? Golfing in Gulmarg is an experience worth sharing and enjoying.
4. Trekking – Trekking is one of the best ways to explore a place and when the place is as beautiful as Gulmarg, trekking is irresistible. You can trek to nearby places like Khilanmarh, Ningli Nallah, etc. or you can trek up to high altitude places like Kongdori, Alpather Lake, Apharwat Mountain, etc.
5. Try Local Cuisines – No trip is complete without trying the local foods of the region. So indulge in the local foods of Gulmarg and give your taste buds a new experience to cherish. Some famous local cuisines of Gulmarg are Gushtaba, Roghan Josh, Kashmiri Tujh, Yakhni, Dum Olav, Nader Monjje, Kahwah, and Sewai, among numerous others.

How To Reach Gulmarg

By Flight: The nearest airport from Gulmarg is Srinagar Airport which is located 60 km from Gulmarg. Srinagar Airport is well connected to all major cities of India. From Srinagar Airport you can hire a cab, a shared taxi, or take a bus till Gulmarg.

By Train:The nearest railway station from Gulmarg is Jammu, located at a distance of 290 km from Gulmarg. Jammu Railway Station is connected to all major cities of India. You can reach Gulmarg by bus or taxi from Jammu.

By Bus:If you are travelling to Gulmarg from the neighbouring cities of Kashmir, then you’ll find enough buses for Gulmarg from those cities. But if you are travelling from other parts of India, then you have to either book a flight till Srinagar or a train till Jammu and then travel to Gulmarg via private/public bus orshared/hired cab.

By Self-Drive: If you are travelling to Gulmarg on your own, make sure that you have a proper route planned out beforehand. Update your vehicle so that it can sustain the high altitude roads and long hours of drive.

Best Time To Visit Gulmarg

The best time to visit Gulmarg is during the summer seasons from March-June. The climate of Gulmarg during this time is extremely pleasant and provides a respite from the hot weather in other parts of Indian cities.

The winters are also an ideal time to visit Gulmarg if you want to see snowfall and enjoying skiing. The months from December to February sees heavy snowfall in Gulmarg. Carry your winter gears and head out for winter adventure in Gulmarg.

The monsoon seasons should be avoided as the climate is unstable at this time and high altitude places are inaccessible. The monsoon lasts from July-September.