Gulmarg: A Winter Wonderland That Will Captivate Your Heart

Introduction

Gulmarg is one of the most beautiful places that can be seen in Kashmir Valley. Gulmarg means meadow of flowers. Originally, It was called Gaurimag, named after the beaches of Shiva. Gulmarg, the hill resort is located only 52 kilometers away. Gulmarg, southwest of Srinagar in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, is situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and has a gently sloping topography. During colonial rule over India, the British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927.

It has also hosted residents of Britain and their fellow Europeans. Gulmarg attracts various tourists due to its natural beauty. The snow-clad peaks and beautiful landscape of here have provided the backdrop for many Bollywood movies. Gulmarg is also the only heli-skiing resort in Asia. There are so many beauty and adventure activities that make Gulmarg more than just a quiet hill resort. It is a convenient base for Himalayan treks and offers various winter sports facilities to tourists. Gulmarg can be visited throughout the year. The winter months from November to February are ideal for skiing. The months of May to September are pleasant to visit from the place

flower grass

A vast cup-shaped meadow with slopes lush and green where the silence is broken only by the swoosh of the evening sky, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a movie and not surprisingly it has been featured in many films. Has been organized.

The Valley of Gulmarg, which is a vast grassland covering an area of 3 sq km, is 56 km southwest of Srinagar at an altitude of 2,730 meters. It means ‘meadow of flowers’ and in spring it is just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colorful bluebells, daisies, forget-me-nots, and buttercups. The valley itself is about 3 km long and up to one km wide.

take a hike!

There are snow-clad mountains all around, and on a clear day, one can see Nanga Parbat in one direction and Srinagar in another. It is a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. From Srinagar the road rises gradually towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.

History of Gulmarg

It is a city in Kashmir, a hill station, and a major ski resort in India. It is situated 56 km southwest of Srinagar. Gulmarg, the legendary beauty of Kashmir, its prime location, and its proximity to Srinagar, naturally make it one of the premier attractive luxury hill resorts in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who noticed its grassy slopes overgrown with wildflowers. This was the favourite haunt of Kashmir Emperor Jahangir, who collected 21 different types of flowers from here.

This is in the Pir Panjal, one of the six ranges that make up the Himalayas. This is the mountain shelf that lies beneath the protective 4124 m height and 5 kg shoulders of Mount Aparra. From here it overlooks the valley of Kashmir towards 8126 meter Nanga Parbat and other distant peaks.

A trip to this place is beautiful as the place itself gives way to vast expanses of rice fields separated by picturesque villages with roads lined with hards of poplars. Depending on the season, the color of nature can be the transparent green of spring, the rich emerald of summer, or the golden hue of autumn, when scarlet peppers are the fashionable window of village houses. After Tangmarg, the climb to this place begins through fir-covered hills. At one point, known as View Point, travellers usually stop their vehicles for a few minutes and take in the spectacle of snow-capped mountains, almost within touching distance.

Today this place is not only a mountain skiing resort of extraordinary beauty, but it has the greenest golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 meters, and is the country’s premier ski resort in winter. The ski resorts here are located near one of the best slopes for skiing in the world.

This Place’s new all-terrain vehicle, designed by France’s Paima Group, climbs from the resort at 2650 m via a mid-station and restaurant at 3050 m to a height of 3980 m, offering 1330 m of vast snow-riding terrain. Vertical can be reached.

Other modern infrastructure in Gulmarg Kashmir includes Cassbauer snow-clearing machines, Poma surface lifts, recently purchased rental equipment for winter sports, and even a new ice skating rink. Its Biosphere Reserve offers one of the most attractive wildlife tour packages and Eppavar Lake is a beautiful lake at the base of Prerna Parvat.

Adventure Sports of Gulmarg

This is the main skiing resort for adventure lovers. Skis, sticks, snow shoes, woollen socks, mufflers, windproof jackets, goggles, caps, and various other equipment and ski instructors are easily available here. Even amateurs can enjoy skiing with ski lifts and chair lifts. The best season for skiing is November to February. The slopes at this place range from 8,700 to 10,500 feet and are the highest ski slopes in India. It also has a green 18-hole golf course, which is also the largest golf course in the world.

The golf club offers short-term memberships for players. Gulmarg offers some great opportunities for longer runs. One can also have a beautiful view of Nanga Parbat, the naked mountain that rises over 26,000 feet and dominates the entire area. For a fun-filled ride of the most unusual kind, Gulmarg’s newly constructed Gondola lift through the pine-clad slopes is an experience of a lifetime. This truck will take you up to 15,000 feet and is one of the highest in the world. Here, you can touch the sky and merge with the clouds.

Gulmarg Gondola

Gulmarg is a prime location in the state of Jammu and Kashmir 55 kilometers from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. At an altitude of 2,653 meters, Gulmarg is exquisitely situated in a pine forest in the Pir Panjal range basin. Gulmarg or the `Meadow of Flowers’ is a lovely blooming scene where the abundance of flora shows different colors with the changing seasons.

Its stunning beauty, prime location, and proximity to Srinagar, naturally make it one of the premier hill stations in the country. Originally named ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given by Sultan Yusuf Shah in the 16th century, who was impressed by the sight of its green slopes adorned with wildflowers. Today, Gulmarg is not only a mountain resort of scenic beauty – it has the highest green golf course in the world at an altitude of 2,650 meters, and it is the country’s premier ski resort in winter.

It is located at 2650 meters on a flat plateau at the base of Mt. Aparwat. The best and longest ski run of 3 kilometres in Gulmarg is accessed by the Gondola cable car lift, which allows a ski run of 2,213 meters of descent. At an altitude of 3980 meters above sea level, the Gondola climbs almost to the peak of the Apogee. It provides access to 1330 vertical meters of huge snow slopes. With the installation of the Karal lift from Gulmarg to the top of Uppervat, This place has become one of the ski resorts with the highest lift service in the world. The total aerial distance of 5 km is covered by the Gulmarg Gondola.

Stage 2 of the Gondola ride is a major attraction as it gives panoramic views of the Himalayas and it is very close to the climbing and undulating mountains. The cable car climbs from 1,330 vertical meters to almost 4,000 meters.

The Gondola lift operates in 2 stages – Gulmarg > Kongador and Kongador > Aparavat. The first phase of the Gondola project located in Gulmarg is a vertical rise of 400 meters at 5 meters per second in 2909 meters, carrying 1500 people per hour from Gulmarg to the middle station 3100 meters above sea level on Kongador Mountain, of which Skiers have access to very easy runs through the trees and to groomed but narrow slopes.

Phase 2 of the Gulmarg Gondola Project starts from Condorador and climbs the 2688-meter high altitude slope from Condorador at an altitude of 880 meters while traveling at 5 meters per second, ferries 600 people per hour to Agrarit Mountain at an altitude of 3980 meters. But it is. From this point, skiers can either stay on the controlled and patrolled Gondola bowl or continue back to the mid-station. Almost every route link runs up to 1’000 vertical meters with powder

Ticket tariff in the first phase, from here to Kongardi Mid Station, above 300 meters prices are Rs 100 per day or Rs 500 per day. Climbing Mount Aparavat to a height of about 4,000 meters, the tariff for Stage 2 is Rs 250 one way. A day pass is ₹1,000.

It offers many opportunities for runs on open snow fields, with many runs leading to over 20 access points. These runs cover over 1’000 vertical meters and terrain slopes of 32° to 40°.

The Gondola area is divided into two parts – the upper and lower sections. The first section is 2,350 m long and 450 m higher than the Gurgaon Ski Resort and is situated at an altitude of 3,300 m above the hill.

The second section continues up to 4,000 meters, just below the peak of the Apogee. From the topmost station, a 30-minute walk will descend to the peak. Either direction from this summit is fine for skiing for a few kilometres. Furthermore, from this peak, both the Line of Control (LOC) and Pakistan-administered Kashmir are visible.

One can enjoy spectacular views of the Pir Panjal range, and on a clear day see Nanda Devi and the LoC. Romance around in the snow, forget your age, and don’t stand on your dignity. Discover the child in you and then join the queue to get back! Just good woolen or breathable material and sensible sports shoes are sufficient. Try to avoid wearing sandals, slippers, or leather shoes.

Gulmarg tourist attractions

Khilanmarg Gulmarg

This small valley is 6 km away from the Gulmarg bus stop and car park. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in spring, is the winter ski resort of Gulmarg and offers unspoiled views of the surrounding peaks and the Kashmir Valley. It is a 600-metre climb from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg and in early spring, as the snow melts, it can be a very muddy hour-long climb up the hill if it is clear, to the 7,100-metre-high peaks of Bare and Kun. It’s rewarding, with sweeping views of the Great Himalayas from Nanga Parbat to the southeast.

Alpathar Lake Gulmarg

Beyond Khilanmarg, at the foot of Twin 4, 13 km from Gulmarg, in the peaks ringed by 511 meters, this lake remains frozen till mid-June and even years later one can see caps of ice floating in its cold waters. The walk from Gulmarg takes a well-graded pony track up a hilly coast over 3,810 meters, separating it from Khilanmarg, and then up the valley to the lake at 3,843 meters. More adventurous trekkers can climb the boulder-strewn slopes of the ridge and descend the other side of the trail. For horse riding aficionados, Alpadar Lake makes an exciting day trip, starting in the morning and returning in the late evening.

Ningli Nallah Gulmarg

This beautiful mountain river flows from melting snow and ice to Uttarvat and Alpadar Lake is 8 km from Gulmarg. This stream continues in the valley below and joins the Jhelum River near Sopur. This long, grassy valley is a popular picnic spot the walking path crosses the Ningli (also spelled as Ningal) creek by a bridge and continues to Kheelenmarg, another grassy meadow and a good spot for camping. Early summer would probably be part of a camp, with the Gurgaon moving their herds into the higher grasslands.

Ferozpure Nallah Gulmarg

Reached from the top of the Tangmarg road or outer circular, this hill stream meets the sister river at a popular picnic spot called ‘Meeting Mill’. The stream is reputed to be particularly good for trout fishing; It is about five km down the valley from Gulmarg, but close to Tamgarj. The river can be reached by walking 3 km from the gap near Tamgarg and then heading south through the forest and down a slope towards the river.

There is a bridge near here that crosses a small body of water that meets the picnic spot on the right bank. Looking south from Tangmarg the river can be traced to its source close to the rugged peak known as Firozpur or Shinmahinyu. The stream branches on the right bank, the left path leading to the Goa plains, while the other moment bends towards the Gogaldara Road at a height of 32 kilometers, then leads to Firozpur Pass, Poonch, and Kantar Nag.

One can undertake a 50 km walk from here for three years, across the Tosa plains, the most beautiful route in Kashmir, crossing Basmai Gali at about 4,000 meters. The track here is very close to the ceasefire line with Pakistan and will pass Jamanwali Gali on the right, the easiest and safest route in Punjab at 4,000 meters.

Baba Reshi Gulmarg

This is a Muslim religious place, where Hindus, Muslims, and people of all castes come. It is located on the slopes below Gulmarg and can be reached from Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The Ziyarat, or tomb, is that of a famous Muslim saint who died here in 1480. Before renouncing worldly affairs, he stood in the stead of Kashmir king Zain-ul-Abidin. Every year thousands of devotees flock to this shrine, irrespective of their faith.

Skiing in Gulmarg

Skiing, to many who watch it on TV, seems like a very extreme sport, requiring a high level of training and expensive equipment. They are surprised, when they travel to Gulmarg for a day expedition to “snow see”, that other people with the same level of physical fitness and training are skiing on the slopes of Gulmarg Ultimate Beginner Skiing Resort. A heavy woolen wardrobe – slacks or salwar kameez will not do the trick. Gulmarg also has one of the many ski shops where you can stock up and rent skis, sticks, and goggles. Just find yourself a ski instructor and set off down the slope

Nor does one have to do the work required to climb the slopes. The steepest slope of 200 meters is connected to a ski lift, which helps one go up. When a graduate is at the intermediate level – which will be after the first few days of practice, there are other slopes, longer and steeper, which are connected to chair lifts. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola Cable Car, which allows a ski run of 2,213 meters.

A circular road, 11 kilometers in length, through pleasant pine forests right on the edge of Gulmarg. There are excellent views over the Kashmir Valley. Nanga Parbat is visible at a distance of 137 kilometers to the north, Haramukh is visible at a distance of 60 kilometers to the east, while in the south one can see Firozpur and Sunset Peak and the Aparavat Ridge. Nanga Parbat, the ‘Lord of the Mountains’ is the fourth highest peak on Earth at 8,500 metres.

What is the best time to visit Gulmarg?

What is the best time to visit here ? Often there are only two reasons for tourists to visit this place. One is to see the lush greenery of Kashmir and the second is to see the snowfall and skiing there.

What time of year is ideal for seeing snowfall here? What is the best season to visit here? Although Gulmarg is a year-round destination, you can plan your trip depending on what you want to do there.

The sight of snowfall in Kashmir has always been worth seeing. If you are hoping to see snowfall, visit here in winter. It is a unique city situated in the heart of Kashmir. The beautiful grasslands of Gulmarg, are usually lush green in April and early May. But during snowfall, they remain covered with white snow. The best time to visit here for Snowfall is right after the peak winter – January and February.

Do visit this place with your friends or family to experience this winter wonderland. The vast green meadows here are surrounded by the Himalayan peaks and look very beautiful. Complete with crystal blue lakes reflecting the sunlight and large pine trees, This is a dream for every nature lover. Snowfall in here is something that should not be missed at all. It offers a breathtaking view of Nanga Parbat located in Gilgit, Pakistan, and Harmukh, located in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir.

Gulmarg in winter

While winters start getting cold in October, the temperature reaches zero degrees from November onwards, which also marks the beginning of the winter season. During this period, the options for skiing and snowboarding are excellent, and many honeymoon couples especially come to visit this place during this period. From late December to mid-February, there’s enough snowfall for you to build your snowman! Make sure you pack heavy woollen clothes as the temperature can drop to -4 degrees Celsius.

Importance – This is your typical winter wonderland, a beautiful small village perfect for all kinds of adventure sports. From skiing to snowboarding, and snow scootering to wooden sledges, Gondola rides, and cable cars, there are so many different ways to experience the magical arts of snow! I would recommend you to visit Strawberry Valley, Alpathar Lake, Alpharvat Peak and – Ski Resort.

Tips – Keep woolen clothes in your bag as the temperatures can be very severe. Scarves, gloves, and mufflers are essential to protect yourself from the cold wind. Be sure to pack some good-quality thermals, wind/waterproof jackets, and ankle-length snow boots. The right clothes are very important and should not be compromised. Make sure your hotels have heaters and/or electricity and warm blankets.

Gulmarg in Summer – (April to June)

These months are not only the summer season here but it is also the peak tourist season. In March you can see very little snow on the ground and at higher altitudes. No wonder you can see the true Gulmarg which is popularly known as the Field of Flowers during this season. The temperature does not go beyond 29 degrees Celsius. This time is also ideal for all sightseeing and adventure activities as the weather and climate are quite favourable for all age groups.

Significance – The summer season fills the landscape and scenery here with intense clarity. The views of mountains, valleys, lakes, and waterfalls look crystal clear and magnificent. The entire landscape looks like a painting filled with different types of flowers. During this time you can visit Gulmarg Golf Course, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Children Park, and Khilanmarg.

Tips – Your attire should be kept in mind keeping in mind the altitude of this hill station. Although it is summer season, the weather remains cool in the evening. Don’t rely too much on sunlight. Make sure you pack warm clothes too.

Gulmarg in Monsoon – (July to September)

Apart from being the hottest month, the monsoon season begins in July. Although it does not receive such heavy rainfall, people often visit during this time as it is an off-season and many hotels offer attractive deals during this time.

Significance – Hill stations are completely transformed during the monsoon period. Monsoon may not be the best time for outdoor walks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a stroll. Additionally, there are also attractive indoor places to do things. The best places to visit during this period are – Maharaja Place, St. Mary’s Church, Maharani Mandir, Ningale Nala, and Firozpur Nala.

Tips – Pack wind/rainproof clothes, gumboots, and an umbrella. Make sure that your camera, smartphone or other devices are well protected. Before heading out, check the forecast for the day. Don’t self-drive, rent a car.

How to reach Gulmarg?

How to reach here? If you want to come to this place, you can reach it by road from Jammu and Srinagar. Jammu is well connected to all major cities by air, road, and rail. Let us know how to reach here by flight, train, and bus.

How to reach Gulmarg by Flights

The nearest airport to reach here is Srinagar Airport. It is about 56 km from Gulmarg. Taxis and jeeps are available outside the airport to reach Gulmarg. Let us tell you that the airport is well connected to all major domestic airports daily.

Srinagar, the nearest airport to reach here, is a domestic airport and is well-connected to major cities of India by regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar. From Outside the airport, you can hire a prepaid cab, which will cost you around Rs 1500 one-way. You can also take a shared taxi which will cost less.

How to reach Gulmarg by Train

How to reach here by train? For this, you will have to reach Jammu. Jammu Tawi railway station is at the nearest distance of about 290 km from Gulmarg. This railway station is connected to all domestic railways. You can take a taxi or bus from the station to reach here.

Jammu railway station is well connected to most of the railway stations in major Indian cities. Some of the popular trains are Jammu Rajdhani, Himgiri Express, Swarak Express, Andaman Express, and Himsagar Express which connect major Indian cities.

How to reach Gulmarg by Bus and Road

National Highway 1-A connects this place to major cities and has good road connectivity. State-owned buses and private deluxe buses are frequently available for visitors. This place is well connected by regular bus services to Srinagar, Sonamarg, and other neighbouring cities of Kashmir. There are buses run by both public and private companies that are regular, deluxe, and luxurious.

If you want to reach by driving yourself, you can also go. It is 57 km from Srinagar and can be reached in 1-2 hours, but takes more time due to winding high-altitude roads. It would be best for you to update your car with tires specially equipped to drive in this area.

From Srinagar, you can directly book a cab up to this place or if you want to use public transport then you will have to go from Srinagar to Tangmarg. Here you can also take shared cabs like Sumo and Tavera. Most people choose this option while travelling in Kashmir. It will cost you around Rs 80 or you can use a bus whose fare will be around Rs 40 but a bus will take you two hours to reach Tangmarg, and a cab will take you another hour. Then from Tangmarg to Gulmarg, you can again take a shared cab whose fare will be around Rs 30.

Conclusion

This shining hill station like the crown jewel of Kashmir, is not only a treasure trove of natural beauty but also a priceless collection of experiences. Whether you are a fan of adventure sports amidst snowy peaks or dream of a picnic on the lush green plains, It offers something for everyone. A winter paradise and a summer solace, it charms in every season.

In closing, remember that Gulmarg is not just a tourist destination but a unique experience. The unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure here gives you memorable moments. So definitely include this heaven in your travel list and enjoy the feeling of heaven on earth!

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