Gulmarg

Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. 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, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

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 a nd look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

¤ Major Attractions of Gulmarg

.. Golf Courses
Situated at an altitude of 2,650 m, Gulamarg has got the highest green golf course in the world. The layout of the course is quiet striking and the layout is similar to a normalgolf course with land slopes and inclines along the complete area of the course, which has a par of 72.

The golf club was started by the British who used Gulmarg as a holiday resort, and opened it for golf lovers in the year 1904. At present the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation manages the club.

.. 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.

.. 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.

.. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
For witnessing the glorious fauna of the great Himalayan range, such as the Himalayan Musk Deer, Red Fox, Brown and Black Bear along with numerous resident and migratory birds, visit the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. Located at a height of 2,400m above sea level and with a coverage area of 180-sq-kms, this reserve is at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar. The best time to watch the wildlife is September to March.

¤ Places to Stay in Gulmarg
Gulmarg houses a number of hotels that offer good accommodation and meals. Hotels of international standards are also available. JKTDC (Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation) has huts on the offer at Gulmarg and all these properties require advance booking from Srinagar.

¤ How to Get there
.. By Air
Gulmarg is in Baramula District and is 56-kms from Srinagar and Sonamar is 81-km from Srinagar. The nearest Airport is situated in Badgam District, which is well connected with all the major cities of India.

.. By Train
The nearest railhead is at Jammu.

.. By Road
All sorts of transport are available to Gulmarg from Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo and from private transport operators. Bus services to Sonamarg are available from Srinagar and Anantnag.