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Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly have been the venue of several films. The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area, stands at 2,730 metres, 56-km south west of Srinagar . The name means 'Meadow Of Flowers' and in the spring it's just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not's and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.
Location: 56-km
South West Of Srinagar, Kashmir Region, J&K
Main Attractions: Alpather Lake, Golf Courses &
Skiing
Altitude: 2,730m
Best Time To Visit: In Summer - April To October
In Winter - November To February
Take a Hike!
All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day
one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction
and Srinagar is another. It's a popular day trip from
Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their
stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from
Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the
range, passing through rice and maize fields.
From Tangmarg, at the foot of the range, there are two
paths to Gulmarg - a steep footpath or a winding sealed
road. There is also a pony track from Gulmarg that leads
upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and seven springs.
Khilanmarg
This
smaller valley is about a 6-km walk from the Gulmarg bus
stop and car park. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in
the spring, is the site for Gulmarg's winter ski runs
and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and over
the Kashmir Valley. It's a 600-metre ascent from Gulmarg
to Khilanmarg and during the early spring, as the snow
melts, it can be a very muddy hour's climb up the hill.
The effort is rewarded, if it's clear, with a sweeping
view of the great Himalayas from Nanga Parbat to the
twin 7,100-metre peaks of Nun and Kun to the southeast.
Alpather Lake:
Beyond Khilanmarg, 13-km from Gulmarg at the foot of the
twin 4, 511 metre Apharwat peaks, this lake is frozen
until mid-June and even later in the year one can see
lumps of ice floating in its cold waters. The walk from
Gulmarg follows a well-graded Pony track over the 3, 810
metre Apharwat ridge, separating it from Khilanmarg, and
then up the valley to the lake at 3,843 metres. The more
adventurous trekkers can climb straight up the
boulder-strewn slope of the ridge and descend the other
side to the path. For horse riding aficionados, Alpather
Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, starting early
morning and returning late evening.
The Ningli Nallah:
Flowing from the melting snow and ice on Apharwat and
the Alpather Lake, this pretty mountain stream is 8-km
from Gulmarg. The stream continues down into the valley
below and joins the Jhelum River near Sopur. This long,
grassy valley is a popular picnic spot and the walking
path carries on, crossing the Ningli (also spelt as
Ningle) Nallah by a bridge and continues on to the
Khilenmarg, another grassy meadow and a good spot for
camping. In early summer one will probably share the
campsites with Gujars moving their herds up to the high
meadows.
Ferozpore Nallah
Reached
from the Tangmarg road, or from the Outer Circular Walk,
this mountain stream meets the Bahan River at a popular
picnic spot known as 'waters meet'. The stream is
reputed to be particularly good for trout fishing; it's
about five km down the valley from Gulmarg but quite
close to Tangmarg. The river can be reached by walking
3-km down the path from the gap near Tangmarg and then
heading south through the forest, down a slope towards
the stream.
Near here there is a bridge which leas to the small
waters meet picnic spot on the right bank. Looking south
from Tangmarg the river can be traced up to its source
close to the rugged peak known as Ferozpore or
Shinmahinyu. On the right bank the stream branches, the
left path leading to Tosa Maidan, while the right bends
away towards the Gogaldara road at a second bridge,
about 32-km upstream, and then leads away to the
Ferozpore pass, Poonch and Kantar Nag.
One can continue on from here to Tosa Maidan, a three
day, 50-km walk to one of Kashmir's most beautiful
Marg's, crossing the Basmai Gali pass at about 4,000
metres. The track here is very close to the ceasefire
line with Pakistan and on the right one will pass the
Jamainwali Gali, the pass at 4,000 metres is one of the
easiest and safest routes into the Punjab.
Shrine Of Baba Reshi / Ziarat Of Baba Reshi :
This Muslim shrine is on the slopes below Gulmarg and
can be reached from either Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The
Ziarat, or tomb, is of a well-known Muslim saint who
died here in 1480. Before renouncing worldly ways he was
a courtier of the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. Every
year thousands of devotees visit this shrine regardless
of the faith they believe in.
Skiing:
In
winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the
country's premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who
watch it on TV, seems like a very elitist sport,
requiring a high level of training and expensive
equipment. They are surprised, when they visit Gulmarg
for a day's expedition to "see the snow", that others
with the same level of physical fitness and training are
skiing down slopes. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner's
skiing resort. One doesn't requite a heavy woolen
wardrobe - slacks or a Salwar Kameez will do fine. In
Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of the
many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles. Just
find yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope.
Neither does one need to exert oneself climbing up
slopes. The gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski
lift, which helps one to go up. When one graduates to
intermediate level - which will happen after the first
few days of practice, there are other slopes, longer and
steeper, which are connected by chair lift. The longest
ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola cable car,
which allows a ski run of 2,213m.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Gulmarg is in Baramula District and is 56-kms
from Srinagar District . The nearest Airport from here
is situated in Badgam District, which is well connected
with all the major cities of the country.
Rail: The nearest railhead is at Jammu.
Road: The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes
approximately 2 hours in bus and may take short time by
chartered conveyance. The road to Gulmarg is very
beautiful and is lined with poplar trees all through.
All sorts of transport are available to Gulmarg from
Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo and from private
transport operators.