Gulmarg is one of the beautiful place that can be visited in Kashmir valley. Gulmarg literally means the meadow of flowers. Originally, Gulmarg was called Gaurimarg, named after Shiva’s coasts. Gulmarg's legendary beauty,Gulmarg, the hill resort is located only 52 km. to the south west of Srinagar in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and has a gently sloping topography. Its present name 'Gulmarg' was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes filled with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. During the colonial rule over India, the British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927. Gulmarg also hosted the British Resident and his fellow Europeans. Gulmarg attracts various tourists due to its natural beauty. The snow-clad peaks and the lovely landscapes of Gulmarg have provided background for several Bollywood ventures. Today Gulmarg is not merely a hill resort - but it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m and also the Asia's only heli-skiing resort in the winter. There is immense beauty and various adventure activities that make Gulmarg more than a cool hill resort. It is a convenient base for trek to the Himalayas and also offers various winter sports facilities to the tourists. Gulmarg can be visited throughout the year. The winter months from November to February are ideal for skiing. The months from May to September are pleasant to visit the place.
How to reach Gulmarg : By Air:
The nearest airport is located in Srinagar about 57 km from Gulmarg. Regular flights connect Srinagar with the other major cities in India.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is located in Jammu.
By Road:
Gulmarg is well connected by road with Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Jammu and various other cities of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is 56 kms from Srinagar.
Best time to visit Gulmarg :
The hill resort of Gulmarg is a gorgeous place to be at throughout the year. There are winter months from November to February that are ideal for skiing. The adventurers are known to throng the hill resort as soon as the snow falls. As it is the summer months from May to September offer pleasant weather to the tourists.
Tourist attractions in Gulmarg :
Skiing & Heliskiing : Asia's one of the most famous Heli-skiing resort is at Gulmarg, Kashmir. Come December, and the verdant green slopes of Gulmarg are blanketed with snow, forming some of the finest natural slopes for ski runs of all levels.
Gondola Lift : For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine clad slopes, is exhilarating.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves :
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.
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.
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. Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.
Khilanmarg :
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.
Shrine Of Baba Reshi / Ziarat Of Baba Reshi :
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.
