Nestled in the Pir Panjal Range in a cup-shaped valley, <a href="https://universaladventures.in/city/Gulmarg" target="_blank">Gulmarg</a> has been especially touched by nature's splendid hand and is a place that the gods would also love to visit. This magnificent tourist destination in the valley of <a href="https://universaladventures.in/state/Jammu-and-Kashmir" target="_blank">Kashmir </a>is great for both a family, honeymoon, and snow adventure sports lovers. Dubbed one of the best skiing destinations in India, Gulmarg is adorned with lofty snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, small lakes, and a large variety of flowers. Gulmarg also offers its fair share of thrills and adventure to tourists. The most popular adventure activity in Gulmarg is skiing, which can be enjoyed by both amateur &amp; experienced skiers. Other than that, tourists can also enjoy a Gondola cable car ride, trekking, and trout fishing.

There are no restrictions or age limits when it comes to riding ATVs. Riding an ATV is all the time right for your size and age. ATVs are meant to be used off-road or on dirt roads, not on paved roads or highways. Being very powerful you can use an ATV anywhere whether it be on hills or plain roads as well. ATVs can be used in both winter and summer. You can ride on any road using this powerful vehicle...so let's get started with riding on ATVs.
 
Location: Gulmarg
Best Time to Do: Throughout the year&nbsp;
Duration: 30 to 40 minutes&nbsp;
Price Range: starting from INR 1500 per person

The views from the <a href="https://universaladventures.in/city/Gulmarg/things-to-do?adventure=Camping" target="_blank">camping</a> site are spectacular, consisting of a panoramic vista of Gulmarg and the surrounding valleys. You will enjoy the beauty of the mountains, and create wonderful memories with your loved ones. The frozen lake is one of the best attractions in Gulmarg as it is surrounded by pristine snowy mountains and a calm, peaceful lake with a mirrored surface that reflects the majesty of the peaks and the surrounding greenery.
 
Location: Kongdori, Frozen Lake&nbsp;
Best Time to Do: Summers&nbsp;
Duration: 2 days
Price Range: starting from INR 1000 per person

There are certain experiences that define summer and winter in all their glory. Bonfires provide a great atmosphere for outdoor celebrations. Any season is a great time for a bonfire. A bonfire serves as the perfect place to gather and talk about the day's catch or other events. Building a fire is one of those things that you might sort of know how to do, but don't really have to do it that often. Building a fire is actually quite simple.
 
Location: Gulmarg&nbsp;
Best Time to Do: Winters
Duration: 3 to 4 hours

The outer circle road runs around the Gulmarg golf course and covers almost everything that Gulmarg has to offer. During the walk, you'll get splendid views of snow-covered peaks including the Nanga Parbat which at roughly 8,500 meters is the fourth highest peak in the world. A number of attractions of Gulmarg like the main market, children's park, Shiva temple, and the Ice skating rink can be covered during the outer circle walk and a few detours from the main outer circle road.
 
Location: Gulmarg&nbsp;
Best Time to Do: Throughout the year&nbsp;
Duration: 3 hours&nbsp;
Price Range: INR 500

With verdant green meadows, tall pine trees and a backdrop of mountains, the St Mary`s Church, in Gulmarg looks like a chapel in a quaint, small town. The church, built in the early 20th century, is a fine example of Victorian architecture with grey stone walls, a tiled roof, and wooden decorations. One can access the St Mary`s Church on foot while walking around the golf course or by taking a detour from the outer circle road. This short hike is sure to reward the traveller as this is one of the most peaceful places in Gulmarg.
 
Location: ST MARY`S CHURCH
Best Time to Do: Throughout the year&nbsp;
Duration: 1 hour

Many people love fishing and fishing in a hill station is something else. The serenity, view, and weather that hill stations have to offer, make the whole fishing activity even more interesting. Fishing is more of a summer activity in Gulmarg. During the summer months, the ski resorts are generally crowded. It's recommended to go fishing to the Confluence, where streams from Ferozepur Nallah and River Bahan meet. These streams are an angler's heaven!
 
Location: Ferozepur Nallah, River Bahan&nbsp;
Best Time to Do: Summers&nbsp;
Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Made of local cedarwood, the houseboats are beautifully decorated with intricately carved wood paneling and come in all different sizes, typically with a living room, kitchen, and up to 3 bedrooms and bathrooms. Some of these beautiful boats date back to the early 1900s and can be rented out to tourists. All houseboats have balconies, so guests can sit outside in the sun and enjoy the scenery.
 
Location: Gulmarg&nbsp;
Best Time to Do: Throughout the year&nbsp;
Duration: 1 day
Price Range: starting from INR 1000

Overall, Gulmarg is accessible almost throughout the year except for monsoons. During summers and winters, travelers can spend a good time in a favorable atmosphere. For newlyweds, families, and adventure seekers, Gulmarg is an ideal destination, which entertains all kinds of travelers. So if you love to visit Gulmarg, hold the dates of summers or winters for a better experience. The destination has a history of tourism activities for more than five centuries. The resort has been a great attraction for several British officials posted in India and their families made Gulmarg their home for the summer months. This to-geographical personality of the place has resulted in the development of tourist regions of interest to a range of tastes especially for holidaymakers and sports and adventure tourists.

Adventure enthusiasts must surely indulge in skiing here as it is one of the top things to do in Gulmarg in winter. Stand amidst the snowy peaks surrounded by lush green coniferous forest. Feel the adrenaline rush while swiftly gliding down the snow carpet covering the valley. Apharwat Peak is one of the best spots for indulging in this activity. You can rent ski equipment from the government ski rental shops stationed here. There are also experienced trainers from whom you can learn this sport.
 
Location: Apharwat Peak
Best Time to Do: January and February
Duration: 5 to 6 hours&nbsp;
Price Range: Starting from INR 800 per person

One of the most exciting things to do in Gulmarg, <a href="https://universaladventures.in/travel-guide/places-to-visit-in-kashmir" target="_blank">Kashmir</a>, that enchants all the visitors is the Gondola ride. The Kongdori Gulmarg gondola is the 2nd highest cable-car line in the world. It is divided into 3 phases , Phase 1 is from Gulmarg to Kongdori; Phase 2 is from Kongdori to Apharwat, and Phase 3 is the Chair Lift phase from Kongdori to Marry Shoulder. The Gondola rides offer you the most spellbinding sights of both Gulmarg and Khilanmarg.
 
Location: Kongdori
Best Time to Do: March to June
Duration: 12 to 15 minutes for each phase&nbsp;
Price Range: Starting from INR 800 per person

Trekking is also one of the best things to do in Gulmarg. You would not be able to resist the magical charm of this completely frozen lake in Gulmarg. The breathtaking sight of the Alpather Lake comes as the perk of a trekking journey. It is actually located at the foot of the twin Apharwat Peak at an approximate height of 4400 meters. Interestingly, the lake remains frozen even in the months of May and June.
 
Location: Alpather Lake
Best Time to Do: November to mid-June (Winter) and June to September
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Price Range: 3 hours

If you are visiting the town during the summer, this is one of the best things to do in Gulmarg. Gulmarg is home to the world's second-highest Golf Course, located at an altitude of 2650 m above sea level. Spread across an area of 7505 yards, this course has 18 holes. It is a part of the Golf Training Academy. Enjoying a game of golf amidst spectacular surroundings enhances the experience.
 
Location: Gulmarg&nbsp;
Best Time to Do: Summers&nbsp;
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Price Range: INR 800

This gorgeous valley offers an atmosphere of calmness of nature with the excitement of adventure sports. Due to the lack of motorable roads, the best way to get here is either on foot or on a pony. Enjoying some of the most spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks, a pony ride to Khilanmarg is an experience in itself. Blooming with several aromatic flowers is the additional bliss to this great valley. It is also a great spot for ski-lovers.
 
Location: Khilanmarg
Best Time to Do: December to Mid-February
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Price Range: 500 INR

Known for its rich and rare Himalayan fauna and flora, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is one of the best places to visit Gulmarg in May. The trail through its beautiful landscapes spread across 180 sq km to explore the wonders of nature. This park is home to several endangered species of winged creatures. A birdwatching tour in the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve gives you the chance to spot some of the rare and lesser-known birds.
 
Location: Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Best Time to Do: March to August
Duration: 4 to 5 hours&nbsp;
Price Range: INR 500

Looking for a picture-postcard sight with mountains ruling the landscape and a stream gushing down it? Head to Ningle Nallah to click one of the best pictures of your life. The snowy peaks, lush green pastures, and vibrant wildflowers add perfect colors to the whole scene. This mountain stream is formed by the melting of ice from the Apharwat Peak. This stream unites with River Jhelum. The banks of Ningle Nallah are also considered to be one of the best sites for camping and picnic.
 
Location: Ningle Nallah
Best Time to Do: Summers
Duration: 1 to 2 hours

What's a holiday without a picnic? Make the most of Gulmarg's cascading meadows and valleys. Pack your picnic basket with goodies and layout your spread in a secluded corner. If lugging a picnic basket is not your idea of fun, there are a few open-air dhabas at Kongdori that serve a typical fare of parathas, French fries, and of course, hot tea. Ningle Nallah and Ferozepur Nallah are other scenic picnic spots.
 
Location: Kongdori, Ningle Nallah, Ferozepur Nallah
Best Time to Do: Summers&nbsp;
Duration: 3 hours
Price Range: N/A

Top 15 Things to do at Gulmarg

India > Jammu and Kashmir > Gulmarg

8 Apr 2026

Explore in Gulmarg

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