Places of Interest in Gulmarg

What to See

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve: A great way to explore the rich flora and fauna of Gulmarg, the Biosphere Reserve is famous for retaining many rare and endangered species of animals like the musk deer. Surrounded by a rich cover of conifers, this reserve is a dream come true for nature lovers. The main species found here are Hangul, Musk Deer, Leopard, Black Bear, Red Fox and many others. Apart from animals, the reserve also has a large number of bird species like Griffon Vulture, Snow Cock, Blue Rock Pigeon, Kashmir Roller, Jungle Crow etc.

Kongdori: Kongdori is an area between Gulmarg and the summit on the Apharwat mountain range where tourists go to ski and snowboard. Since it is a bowl-shaped area, it is greatly enjoyed by skiing enthusiasts for power skiing and snowboarding.

Rani temple: The Rani Temple was built in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodhia, wife of the last king of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. Located on a small hillock this temple is apparently visible from every part of Gulmarg. The best part of visiting this temple is coming across the priest, a Muslim named Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, who has been performing the priestly duties there for the past 22 years.

Gulmarg Golf Course: Trying out your hand at the highest golf course in the world should definitely be in everyone’s bucket list, even if you’re not a seasoned golfer. Started in 1911 by the British, this Golf Course has seen a number of tournaments and championships take place here. The course was recently redesigned in 2011.

St. Mary’s Church: Built in the beginning of the 20th century, St. Mary’s Church sits on a hillock and is one of the most beautiful examples of old-world Victorian architecture. It’s a quaint church surrounded by old hotels and a cover of alpine trees which makes for a picture-perfect image. In 2003, the church was renovated and Christmas Mass was held here for the first time after 14 years.

Nagin Valley: This beautiful valley makes for a great trekking and camping spot for adventure seekers. Some days the clouds descend to the ground making it hard to see but when you can see, the surroundings are picture perfect.

Ningle Nallah: This pretty little stream gurgling through valleys against the backdrop of snowy mountains is an image that you won’t ever want to forget. Located about 10 kms away from Gulmarg, Ningle Nallah is a picturesque little picnic spot that will delight the traveller in you. This stream gets its water from the snow melting from Mt. Apharwat and Lake Alpather. The Ningle Nallah merges into the Jhelum and makes for a darling camping spot.