1. Skiing
Skiing in Gulmarg during winter is a big adventure! Imagine gliding down hills covered in snow, surrounded by tall trees. Apharwat Peak is the best place for this exciting activity. They have special shops where you can rent ski gear. Plus, there are friendly teachers to teach you how to ski, even if you’ve never tried before. It’s like learning to ride a bike but on snow! Whether you’re super good at skiing or just starting, Apharwat Peak has spots for everyone. If you want to start slow, you can also slide down smoothly on a sled. Enjoy skiing and have a great time in Gulmarg!
- Best Time To Visit : November to February
- Weather : -2°C to 11°C
- Exploring Time : 3-7 days
- How To Reach: From Srinagar, you can reach Gulmarg, where skiing is prominent, by road. It’s about a 2-hour drive (approx. 50 km) through picturesque landscapes.
2. Golfing
Gulmarg has a super high golf course, one of the highest in the world! It’s a must-see when you visit in the summer. The golf course is way up in the mountains at 2,650 meters above the sea. Imagine playing golf surrounded by stunning views! The course has 18 holes spread across a huge area of 7,505 yards. It’s part of the Golf Training Academy, so you can learn and have fun. The green grass and the mountains make it so cool! Whether you’re a golf pro or just starting, playing golf here is an awesome thing to do in Gulmarg. Have a great time playing and enjoying the beautiful nature!
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : A day
- How To Reach: To access the Gulmarg Golf Course from Srinagar, you can hire a taxi or take a private vehicle. The drive usually takes around 2 hours, covering approximately 50 km.
3. Photography
Calling all young photographers! Gulmarg is a dreamy place for capturing amazing pictures. You’ve got to visit Ningle Nallah—it’s like a picture postcard come to life! Big mountains, a stream flowing, and colorful wildflowers everywhere. The stream starts from the melting ice of Apharwat Peak and joins River Jhelum later. Perfect for camping and picnics by the stream. And oh, the Mughal Gardens are a wonderland for photographers! Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh have lovely designs, fountains, and bright flowers that make photos look amazing. And for the ultimate shot, hop on the Gondola ride in Gulmarg. It’s a thrilling ride high in the sky, perfect for your camera adventures!
4. Pony Ride
Visiting Gulmarg is a mix of peace and fun adventures, and riding ponies is a big part of it. The paths to Gulmarg are not for cars, so walking or riding a pony is the best way to go. Riding a pony to Khilanmarg is super exciting and gives you amazing views of the huge Himalayan mountains. It’s like being in a magical place! You also get to see beautiful flowers that smell really nice. Besides pony rides, Gulmarg is also a great place for people who love skiing. It’s a special place for everyone who loves nature and exciting activities!
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : A few Hours
- How To Reach: From Srinagar, you can easily access Gulmarg by road, which takes about 2 hours (approx. 50 km). Once there, negotiate with local pony owners for a memorable pony ride.
5. Strawberry valley
Hidden in the beautiful Gulmarg is a special place called Strawberry Valley. It’s like a secret garden away from the busy places tourists usually go. Imagine fields filled with red strawberries, like a fairy tale! Going to Strawberry Valley feels like a magical adventure surrounded by green meadows and blue skies.
The best time to visit is in summer when the strawberries are all red and ready to be picked. Walking through the strawberry fields is amazing, especially if you love strawberries. Bring some snacks in a basket and have a lovely picnic in this beautiful valley.
Guess what? Strawberry Valley is also famous in movies! Bollywood loves this place because it’s so peaceful and pretty. So, take a break from the usual spots and discover the hidden magic of Strawberry Valley—it’s a special place waiting for you to explore!
- Best Time To Visit : May to July
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : Half a day to a full day
- How To Reach: Strawberry Valley, start from Srinagar and travel by road to Gulmarg, which is about a 2-hour drive (approx. 50 km). From Gulmarg, you can hike or hire a guide to reach the Strawberry Valley.
6. Alpather lake
Alpather Lake is a magical place nestled in the high mountains of Gulmarg, between two big hills called Apharwat Peaks. People also call it the Frozen Lake because it’s covered in ice from November to June. It’s a famous spot and you can start your journey to this lake from Gulmarg. The path to the lake is about 13 kilometers and it takes a whole day to get there.
The way to Alpather Lake is like a beautiful adventure. You walk through Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, and Apharwat Ridge, and then you reach this stunning lake. Even though it’s a tough journey, in the summer, you’ll see lots of pretty flowers and green trees that make you happy.
This lake is very high up, about 4400 meters, surrounded by big rocks and grassy fields. Even in May and June, when it’s warm, the lake is still frozen, and you’ll see big pieces of ice shining in the sun. After a tiring hike or exciting skiing, Alpather Lake is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 5°C to 15°C
- Exploring Time : Half a day to a full day
- How To Reach: visit Alpather Lake from Srinagar, travel by road to Gulmarg, which is approximately 50 km away (about a 2-hour drive). From Gulmarg, you’ll need to trek or hire a local guide to reach Alpather Lake.
7. Gulmarg Gondola
The Gulmarg Gondola in Kashmir is a super exciting thing to try! It’s like a really tall and long cable car that takes you up in the mountains. The views from up there are amazing! Imagine going really, really high—higher than you’ve ever been before. First, you go up to a place called Kongdori, which is at 8,500 feet. That’s Phase 1. Then, Phase 2 takes you even higher, almost 12,300 feet up to Apharwat. That’s super high! You can see important mountain ranges from there. The Gulmarg Gondola is like a giant ride that lots of people can go on. It’s a big part of Gulmarg and it’s like going on a big adventure in the sky!
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : Half a day
- How To Reach: Starting from Srinagar, travel by road to Gulmarg, a journey of approximately 2 hours (approx. 50 km). Once in Gulmarg, you can easily access the Gulmarg Gondola for a thrilling ride.
8. Drung Waterfall
Drung Waterfall in Gulmarg is a fantastic place to visit. It’s in Tangmarg, part of Baramulla. Imagine tall mountains all around! In winter, it becomes a frozen wonderland, like an icy fairy tale. The waterfall starts from huge glaciers, creating a breathtaking sight. In summer, you can relax near the falls, surrounded by lakes, streams, and greenery. Winter transforms the place into a frozen wonderland, making it a perfect spot for frosty fun. You can even warm up at nearby teashops with hot drinks and snacks. Plus, there’s a cute temple nearby, adding to the magic of Drung Waterfall. You’ll love it in Gulmarg!
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : Half a day
- How To Reach: To reach Drung Waterfall, start from Srinagar and travel to Gulmarg, covering a distance of about 50 km (approx. 2-hour drive). From Gulmarg, you’ll need to trek or hire a local guide to reach Drung Waterfall.
9. Tangmarg, Gulmarg
Tangmarg, a lovely town in Kashmir, is like a door to Gulmarg, a famous place just 13km away. People love Tangmarg for its special places like Baba Reshi Shrine, pretty Ningle Nallah, and the peaceful Baderkoot and Gogaldara. When you go to Gulmarg, you pass through Tangmarg, and many buses stop here on their way from Srinagar to Gulmarg. Tangmarg is important because of this. It’s a peaceful and beautiful place, and it’s like a stepping stone to the magic of Gulmarg. Take a moment to enjoy Tangmarg’s beauty before you travel to the amazing world of Gulmarg.
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : Half a day to a full day
- How To Reach: Tangmarg is on the way to Gulmarg from Srinagar, approximately 35 km away. You can easily reach Tangmarg by hiring a taxi or driving from Srinagar, which takes about 1.5 hours.
10. Seven Springs, Gulmarg
Seven Springs, located in Gulmarg, is a cool place with seven water outlets that look amazing. You can see both Srinagar and Gulmarg valleys from there, which is really nice. It’s on the Kongdori hillside and the water in the springs never freezes, which makes it more special.
To go to Seven Springs, you can take a Gondola cable ride from the Apharwat Mountain base. It’s the best way to get there. Plan to spend about 1 to 2 hours exploring and enjoying the beauty of the place. And if you get hungry, there are small places to eat nearby where you can have yummy food while enjoying nature. Seven Springs is a truly magical spot in Gulmarg that you’ll love!
- Best Time To Visit : May to September
- Weather : 10°C to 25°C
- Exploring Time : Half a day
- How To Reach: To visit Seven Springs, start from Srinagar and travel by road to Gulmarg, approximately 50 km away (about a 2-hour drive). From Gulmarg, you can hike or hire a local guide to reach Seven Springs.