Gulmarg’s legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar
naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country, in addition to Pahalgam and
to some extend Sonamarg in
Kashmir
.
While Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing summer meadows and pastoral scenes to keep the camera busy, the main reason to come here, at least in winter, is the off-piste, deep-powder, long-run
skiing and snowboarding. The Himalayan resort of Gulmarg is one of the newest and increasingly popular ski destinations. Head here for the world’s highest gondola ski lift and eye-popping viewsOriginally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country’s premier ski resort in the winter.
The Meadow Of Flowers
A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells, 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.
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.
The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there– roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature’s colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.
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.
Prime Attractions of Gulmarg
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.
A circular road, 11-km in length, runs right round Gulmarg through pleasant pine forests with excellent views over the Kashmir valley. Nanga Parbat is clearly visible 137-km to the north, Haramukh 60-km to the east while to the south one can see the Ferozpore and Sunset Peaks and the Apharwat Ridge. Nanga Parbat, the 'lord of the mountains', is the fourth highest peak on earth at 8,500 metres.
Golf Courses
How To Get There - Gulmarg
The reserve area is located at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar, to its southwest. It is famous for retaining several rare and endangered species such as the musk deer, and a rich and varied avifauna.
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.
(5Km.)
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.
(6Km.)
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.
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.
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.
History
British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.
Fact Files
| Area | 3.5 km long; 1km wid |
| Altitude | 2730 meters |
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Baramullah |
| Languages | Kashmiri and Hindi |
| Best season: |
In Summer - May To September In Winter - November To February |
| Clothing: | Summer: Light woollens winter: Heavy woollens |
| Attractions | Skiing,golf club, gandola |
