History

British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. 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, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

Fact Files

What To Do?

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  Golfing Holidays - It is for golfing that Gulmarg has long been famous. Situated at an altitude of 2,650 m, it is the highest 18-hole green golf course anywhere in the world. The historic Gulmarg Golf Club was started in 1911 by the British who used the place as a holiday resort. The payment of a daily fee entitles one to play 18 holes on course maintained by the State Tourism Department. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, professionals to instruct one in the game, and short-term memberships.
  
• Sledging - There are a host of snow sports held at Gulmarg every year during snow-time. Tobogganing the most popular among them requires no skill. A flat wooden board is taken up the hill and is allowed to descend downhill. There are also snow scooters and snow bobbing, neither requiring special skills. Sledges as well as sledge-pullers are always available on hire.
• Horse Riding - This is the best activity by which all the sites of Gulmarg can be seen. Horses can be hired directly or through the Tourist Office.
• Skiing & Winter Sports - 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. It is during this time that Gulmarg acquires a new persona — the country’s premier skiing resort. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner’s ski resort. Instructors & skiing equipments are available on hire. Among the multitudes of slopes, there are a few which are serviced by ski lifts. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola Cable Car lift, where skiers can swoosh down the slopes from the height of 2,213m. The slopes in Gulmarg varying between 8,700 and 10,500 feet make the ski runs the highest in India. It is noteworthy that Gulmarg is the only heli-skiing resort in Asia. The skiing season at Gulmarg is from November to February.
• Trekking - There are the Nanga Parbat and the Haramukh that you may explore. Gulmarg also offers some excellent opportunities for long walks. In case you take up the outer circle walk you can enjoy the pine forests and wonderful vistas. The beauty of the Kashmir valley will not fail to mesmerize you.

Attractions

Khilanmarg : Khilanmarg offers an unparalleled view of the great Himalayan range. 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.

Alpather Lake: Beyond Khilanmarg,13-km from Gulmarg at the foot of the twin 4,511 metre Apharwat peaks, lies Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake which remanins frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see lumps of ice floating in its cold waters. The walk from Gulmarg follows a well-graded Pony track over the 3,810 metre Apharwat ridge, separating it from Khilanmarg, and then up the valley to the lake at 3,843 metres. The more adventurous trekkers can climb straight up the boulder-strewn slope of the ridge and descend the other side to the path. For horse riding aficionados, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.

Shrine Of Baba Reshi / Ziarat Of Baba Reshi : This Muslim shrine is on the slopes below Gulmarg and can be reached from either Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The Ziarat, or tomb, s 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.

Other AttractionsA Cable Car(Gandola) is also installed which is great hit with tourists and it takes tourists upto Kongdori.

Access

Air : The nearest airport to Gulmarg is in Badgam district.

Rail : The Jammu railway station is the closest in the vicinity.

By Road : Gulmarg is 56 kms from Srinagar. Jammu & Kashmir SRTC operates regular deluxe and ordinary bus services from Srinagar. In winter, the buses operate up to Tangmarg (11 kms from Gulmarg), the remaining distance being covered with smaller vehicles. Tourist taxis also operate between Srinagar and Gulmarg.