Gulmarg Kashmir
Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination located in Pir Panjal Range of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by snow-covered lofty Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, evergreen forested valleys, Gulmarg also has the world's second-highest Gondola ride.
Gulmarg is one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. Gulmarg has also been developed as an adventure hub as the Indian Institute of Skiing, and Mountaineering is located here. A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding are offered by IISM. There are a lot of other private tour operators in Gulmarg as well, which provide similar courses and facilities for skiing and snowboarding. Known for its scenic beauty, Gulmarg has also been a popular destination for shooting various Bollywood films.
Best Places To Visit In Gulmarg
Located about 13 km from Gulmarg, the Alpather Lake is among the enchanting places to visit in and around Gulmarg. The stunning water body is situated at the foot of the twin Apharwat Peaks and is surrounded by rocky mountains and the verdant meadows.
The breathtaking topography and perfect setting for photography has made this destination a favorite among the nature lovers as well as photography enthusiasts and also one of the top lakes in Kashmir. And what makes this tourist attraction all the more interesting is the pony ride from Gulmarg through the well-laid snowy trails.
Location: Gulmarg 193403, Jammu And Kashmir
Alpather Lake – Amidst Scenic Peaks
Home to numerous species of flora, fauna, & avifauna, the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is among the most popular tourist places to visit in Gulmarg for wildlife lovers. Biodiversity blooms here in its richest form. The conifers and green herbs give the entire sanctuary a scenic appearance. This offers ample opportunities to capture the animals in scenic settings.
The endangered Musk Deer is the main attraction of the reserve. Other species of animals include Hangul, Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, and Red Fox. The biosphere reserve is also a paradise for ornithologists. The area has a large population of indigenous and migratory birds including, inter alia, Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock Pigeon Monal, Snow Cock, Kashmir Roller, and Jungle Crow. Also, it would be more fun to check this out during winter in Kashmir.
Location: Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Gulmarg, Jammu And Kashmir
Timings: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve – To Witness Flora & Avifauna
A favourite destination of the yesteryear Bollywood movies, the idyllic Strawberry Field is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Gulmarg. Travellers can walk to this pristine part of Gulmarg or take a pony ride. During summers, the fresh strawberries are ripe to be plucked and savoured.
Location: Alva Farm Road, Strawberry Valley, Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, 193403
Quick Fact: Many scenes of the Shashi Kapoor – Amitabh Bachchan starrer Namak Halal were shot in and around Strawberry Field.
Strawberry Field – Try Fresh Strawberries
At an altitude of approx. 4,200 meters above sea level, the Apharwat Peak is one of the most beautiful places to visit in and around Gulmarg. It lies in the second phase of the Gondola cable car ride from Gulmarg and reaching the peak is dependent on the weather conditions.
The beautiful summit remains covered with snow for most of the year and the snow-clad slopes are among the best ones for snowboarding and skiing in India. Another noteworthy point is that the Line of Control (LOC) is only a few kilometres from this peak. It is definitely one of the most visited out of all the Gulmarg tourist places.
Apharwat Peak – Snow Clad Year Round
Known for its seven natural outlets of water, the Seven Springs offer a majestic view of both Srinagar and Gulmarg valleys from the top. The famous Gondola cable car ride takes you from Gulmarg to the Seven Springs in Kongdori. This is one of the best ways to enjoy natural views and adventure in Gulmarg.
Seven Springs – Seven Natural Water Outlets
One among the largest and highest 18-hole golf courses in India, the Gulmarg Golf Course is situated on the lower ranges of Gulmarg. Though golfing began in this region as early as the early 1920s, the present-day structure designed by Ranjit Nanda – a well-known golf course designer – was inaugurated only in 2011 by Omar Abdullah, the then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg has slowly emerged as one of the most popular places to visit in Gulmarg and a popular golfing destination in India.
Gulmarg Golf Course – A Popular Golfing Destination
Maharani Temple is known to be built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of Maharaja Hari Singh – the last Dogra king of Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the top Gulmarg places to visit . The temple houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is here that the Rajesh Khanna – Mumtaz starrer Aap ki Kasam was shot.
