Places to Visit in Gulmarg
Gulmarg is so beautiful that tourists who are on a trip to Kashmir also visit Gulmarg. Gulmarg is a hill station in Kashmir that is famous for its snow activities. The snow in Gulmarg is best for skiing. Gulmarg also has the highest golf courses in the world, and these golf courses also host golf championships. The word, ‘Gulmarg’ means a meadow of flowers. Gulmarg is best to visit in the summers and winters. In summers, Gulmarg is a carpet of green and some lakes and forests add to the beauty of Gulmarg. But in winters, when fresh snow falls, Gulmarg transforms into a world-famous skiing destination. There are so many places that you can visit in Gulmarg. You can explore all our Kashmir holiday packages also and make plans to visit Gulmarg. The best tourist places in Gulmarg are shown below.
1. Gulmarg Gondola
The most famous tourist attraction in Gulmarg is Gulmarg Gondola. Gulmarg Gondola is the largest and highest gondola in Asia and is the second-highest cable car ride in the world. It is so famous that it is considered to be a must-do activity for tourists who visit Gulmarg. Gulmarg Gondola is a cable car by which tourists reach Apharwat Peak from Gulmarg resort. In an hour, the cable car transports 600 people to Apharwat Peak. The cable car ride offers fantastic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. The gondola ride is of 11 minutes.
2. Strawberry Valley
One of the best attractions in Gulmarg is the Strawberry Valley. Strawberry Valley is a meadow where strawberries are grown. When you visit this place in summer, you can go for a walk in the strawberry gardens and see fresh and ripe strawberries. You are also free to pluck ripe strawberries from the groves and collect them in the basket. Many popular Bollywood movies were shot here at this place.
3. Gulmarg Golf Course
The British rulers developed golf courses in Gulmarg during their time. Today, Gulmarg has the world’s highest golf course. This 18-hole golf course still holds various golf tournaments and championships. This golf course is situated at an altitude of 8700 feet. During summers, the golf course looks at its greenest, with many wildflowers growing.
4. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is one of the best places in Gulmarg to spot rare musk deer, red fox, black bear, and other animals. You can also spot Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock Pigeon, Snow Cock, and other birds of the Himalayan region. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is surrounded by green hills on all sides during summer. But during winter, there is snowfall and the entire region is covered in thick sheets of snow.
5. Apharwat Peak
Apharwat Peak is a mighty Himalayan mountain peak in Gulmarg. This peak is the main place where most of the skiing activities in Gulmarg take place. Apharwat Peak is covered in snow for most of the year and there is very heavy snowfall during winters. The slopes of Apharwat Peak are ideal for skiing and even if you don’t know about skiing you can just slide off the snow using a sleigh. The cable car in Gulmarg reaches Apharwat Peak. You can also do things like horse rides at the base of Apharwat Peak.
6. Alpather Lake
If you want to go trekking in Gulmarg, then the most famous treks in Gulmarg is Alpather Lake. The lake is a high-altitude alpine lake between the twin Alpather peaks. Due to its high altitude, Alpather Lake remains frozen from November to June. But this lake is a very famous trekking destination in Kashmir. The trek to Alpather Lake is 13 km and is a one-day trek from Gulmarg. During summertime, greenery and trees surround the lake.
7. Ningle Nallah
Ningle Nallah is the name of a mountain stream that flows down from Apharwart Peak when the glaciers on the mountain melt during summer. This is one of the best places in Gulmarg that you can visit. Ningle Nallah is a very popular place in Gulmarg for sightseeing and one-day picnics. There is enough greenery around the place in the summer season. During winters, this mountain stream freezes into thick snow and ice.
8. Ferozepur Nallah
Ferozepur Nallah is a beautiful mountain stream in Gulmarg that you can visit. The mountain stream flows in a valley that is just 5 km from Gulmarg. Ferozepur Nallah is rich in trout fish and is a perfect location for trout fishing. The water is fit for drinking also. Ferozepur Nallah is the base for going on Tosamaidan Trek. Ferozepur Nallah is the best sightseeing spot in Gulmarg for picnics and relaxation. You can come here for picnics with your friends and family.
9. Durung Waterfall
Durung Waterfall is one of the many famous places that you can visit in Gulmarg. The special reason for this waterfall is that it freezes completely during winter and you can see the frozen waterfall. During summer, the cascading waters that flow from glaciers high in the mountains make a very beautiful sight. There are many food stalls near the waterfall where you can have a hot piping cup of tea and eat snacks.
10. Seven Springs
Seven Springs is a natural water spring that flows near Kongdori in Gulmarg. When you sit in the famous gondola from Gulmarg, you can reach Seven Springs at Kongdori. Being at a height, this place offers majestic views of the surrounding landscapes and mountains. You can see these streams from the gondola. During winter the water of Seven Springs freezes into ice. Seven Springs is very popular with tourists who come here for a cup of tea and to watch the scenic landscapes of Gulmarg.
11. Gulmarg Children's Park
In Gulmarg, one of the best places for children’s entertainment and playtime is Gulmarg Children Park. Children can have so much fun and joy here and so do adults. There are toy train rides, swings, car rides, buggy rides, and slides for kids. You can also go for pony rides here. Gulmarg Children Park offers majestic views of the green hills and snow-capped mountains. It adds more scenic beauty to this place.
12. Khilanmarg
Khilanmarg is very close to Gulmarg and this is one of the most beautiful and scenic places to visit. It is a place of lush green meadows and surrounding mountains in the backdrop. Khilanmarg is also a place for adventure sports like skiing. It is a beautiful valley that blooms with flowers during summer. Khilanmarg is best for skiing during winters. You can view the mighty peak of Nanga Parbat from Khilanmarg.
13. Shrine of Baba Reshi
The Shrine of Baba Reshi is one of the many holy places that you can visit in Gulmarg. The shrine is very old and was built in the 13th century. It is here that a famous Muslim saint called Baba Payam-ud-din died and his tomb is situated in this shrine. The shrine is also called Ziarat of Baba Reshi. The baba was a courtier of King Zain-ul-Abidin, who was a ruler of Kashmir. Many devotees visit this shrine every year and it is considered to be one of the top Muslim shrines in Kashmir.
14. Maharani Temple
Maharani Temple is a Shiva temple in Gulmarg which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is situated on a small hill and can be seen everywhere in Gulmarg. The wife of Maharana Hari Singh built this temple in 1915. This temple is also called Mohineshwar Shivalaya or Rani Temple. Maharani Temple is a very popular sightseeing place in Gulmarg. This scenic temple is the location where the popular song ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shankar’ from the movie Aap ki Kasam was shot.
15. St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church is a century-old church in Gulmarg. The church is famous for its Victorian architecture. The stained glass windows of this church give it an ornate look from the outside. The stone walls of this church lend it the appearance of a small chapel. St. Mary’s Church is situated in very scenic surroundings. Snow covers most of the land around the church during the winter season.
16. Kanchenjunga Museum
When it was opened, this was meant to be a warfare school, but today it has been converted into a museum. Kanchenjunga Museum is the best place in Gulmarg to see the mountaineering equipment used by expert mountaineers. The museum displays weapons and arms that are used by the Indian Army when fighting the enemies in high-altitude mountainous regions like Kashmir. Kanchenjunga Museum was set up to celebrate the successful ascent of Mount Kanchenjunga by the Indian Army in 1997.
17. Tangmarg
Tangmarg is a small town in Gulmarg with very scenic surroundings. The entire place is very scenic with gently rolling hills, tall mountains, green meadows, jungles, and springs. Tangmarg is known as the gateway to Gulmarg as it falls on the road to Gulmarg. You can spend a day here in Tangmarg and visit various places like Baba Reshi shrine, Drung, Ningle Nallah, Zandpal, and others. Gulmarg is 5 km trek from Tangmarg.
18. Lienmarg
If you want to visit beautiful places in Gulmarg, then you should visit Lienmarg. Lienmarg is famous for its scenic landscapes of alpine forests, snow-capped mountain peaks, and green valleys. Lienmarg is a camping site where you can set up a camp on your treks. You will have to cross Ningle Nallah to reach Lienmarg. You can do several adventurous activities here like trekking, nature walks, camping, rock climbing, etc.
19. Banibal Nag
Banibal Nag is a lake which is situated near Ferozepur Valley in Gulmarg. The lake is very scenic and is surrounded by natural beauty. It is a sort of hidden lake, and you can reach the lake after trekking for 5 hours from Gulmarg.
20. Imambara Goom
Imambara Goom is a holy place in Gulmarg. It is a very scenic place which is surrounded by beautiful landscapes from all sides. You will experience tranquillity and spirituality at Imambara Goom. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and people from other religions visit this place for some peace and spiritual vibes. Even Buddhists visit this place in Gulmarg.
21. Outer Circle Walk
Any traveler visiting Gulmarg should go on this Outer Circle Walk. This is a walk that covers an 11 km long route and takes you through the most beautiful places in Gulmarg. You can view green meadows, towering mountains, dense alpine forests, shimmering lakes, and river streams on this walk. But the greatest sight that you can see on this Outer Circle Walk is that of the mighty Nanga Parbat, along with views of Harmukh Mountain and Sunset Peak.
