Picture-postcard perfect would be one of the best descriptions for beautiful Gulmarg located at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level in Jammu and Kashmir. Valleys of lush greenery surrounded by snowcapped mountains in summer and a silvery snow paradise in winter, Gulmarg is located in the north of Jammu and Kashmir in the Baramulla district, 57 km southwest of the capital, Srinagar.
Gulmarg is known for its grassy slopes emblazoned with wildflowers and this has given it its name which means ‘Meadow of Flowers’. Gulmarg has been the scene of many a film shoot. The place also has the highest green golf course in the world, at a height of 2,650 m. Tourists visit this panoramic golf course, maybe not to play golf, but to admire beautiful green slopes. Tour groups offer temporary membership at the golf course. Gulmarg is a base for those who trek to the Pir Panjal Range, Nanga Parbat and Khilanmarg and it is also the country’s leading ski resort in the winter.
If you are setting out to reach Gulmarg by road from Srinagar, be prepared for a journey of sheer enchantment. Avenues of poplar line the roads, going on to flat expanses of rice and maize fields dotted with villages. Seasonal colours paint a pretty picture-green, gold or silvery white. The climb to Gulmarg begins after you reach Tangmarg through the fir-covered countryside. Stop at ‘View Point’ for a spectacular vision of the snowcapped peaks.
From Gulmarg, a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Seven Springs. It takes a couple of hours by pony, and slightly longer on foot. Khilanmarg offers an unparalleled view of the great Himalayan range. From here, across the peak Apharwat, is Alpather Lake at a distance of about 13 km from Gulmarg. This scenic alpine lake remains frozen until late June. For those who love to take the trail on horseback, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day’s excursion. Coming down from Gulmarg, people of all faiths stop over at the shrine of Baba Reshi, a Muslim mystic saint.
Gulamr has a gently sloping topography and this is what makes it an ideal spot for skiing, sledging and tobogganing. The Winter Games Federation of India has honoured Gulmarg as being the winter sports capital of India. Many tourists arrive simple to watch, but end up donning their first pair of ski shoes a short time after their arrival! A few of the many slopes are serviced by ski lifts. The Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car from Gulmarg to the majestic 14,000 ft. height of the Apaharwat mountains gives skiers a ski run of nearly 3 km. Gulmarg also attracted many domestic tourists who wanted to enjoy the snow and the winter carnival that started in February.
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