If you’re looking for a hill station, there’s no better location to go than Jammu and Kashmir. This location is known for its snow-capped mountains, tranquil valleys, and pristine lakes, making it a magnificent paradise known as “Switzerland of India”. Jammu and Kashmir’s hill stations are breathtakingly beautiful, and each season has its own special personality and charm.
Jammu and Kashmir’s charm is undiminished; not only is it one of the most beautiful places on earth, it also offers a plethora of interesting activities that adults and children alike can participate in during their stay. You are bound to fall in love with the breathtaking panorama of the place. Those searching for hill stations and everything they have to offer, Yatrigann has compiled a list of famous hill stations in Kashmir and top things to do in Kashmir.
List of 9 Beautiful Hill Stations in Jammu and Kashmir: Himalayan Edition
1. Srinagar
Recognized as the largest city and the capital of this union territory, Srinagar is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. This city, which sits at an elevation of 1,730 metres above sea level and is bisected by the Jhelum River, is famed for its natural surroundings, houseboats, waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, and other numerous attractions, earning it the nickname “Heaven on Earth”. Traditional handicrafts that depict Kashmiri culture are also popular in the city. The glistening Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, and magnificent Mughal Gardens are the primary tourist attractions here.
Places to visit: Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Wular Lake
Things to do: Shikara ride, houseboat stay, waterskiing, shopping
Best time to visit: April to October
2. Sonmarg
Sonmarg boasts of beautiful glaciers and tranquil lakes with snow-covered flower-laden meadows that downright bewitch tourists. The location is a renowned hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, surrounded by natural beauty and breathtaking glaciers. One of the Sonmarg tourist places is Nilagrad, a Baltic colony, which is a lovely site worth seeing while you’re there.
Places to visit: Thajiwas Glacier, Zoji La Pass, Vishansar Lake
Things to do: White water rafting, trekking, ice skating, pluck fresh walnuts from walnut orchards
Best time to visit: May to October
3. Gulmarg
Gulmarg, sometimes known as the “Heartland of Winter Sports,” is a well-known skiing resort in the Pir Panjal Range of the western Himalayas. It is situated at a height of 2730 metres above sea level and is snow-covered for the most of the year. The Gulmarg Gondola, the world’s tallest cable car, is the main tourist attraction here. Gulmarg is also well-known for its handicrafts, with a downhill market selling carpets, mats, and a variety of handcrafted metal objects.
Places to visit: Alpather Lake, Golf Course, Biosphere Reserve, Strawberry Valley
Things to do: Gondola ride, skiing, snowboarding
Best time to visit: October to June
4. Pahalgam
One of the most off-beat places in Kashmir, this hill station is a starting point for the Amarnath Yatra. The place has rich flora and fauna, rare and endangered species like brown bear and musk deer, picturesque peaceful picnic spots for visitors to sit and relax. Pahalgam also has other activities to offer, like golfing, trekking routes, skiing options, indoor sports at Pahalgam club, trout fishing, horse riding, and camping.
Places to visit: Chandanwari, Betaab Valley, Aru Valley
Things to do: Trout fishing, camping, mountaineering, horse riding, trekking, white water rafting
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
5. Patnitop
Patnitop boasts of some of the top adventure activities to do in Kashmir. It offers a broad range of activities, including hiking, skiing, and paragliding. At Billoo Di Powri point and Nathatop, take a paragliding adventure. You can also indulge in some fun snowboarding. To top it off, visitors may fill their stomachs with delicious Kashmiri cuisine while trekking from Patnitop to Nathatop. In winters, this area is covered in snow, while in the summer, it is covered in beautiful green grass.
There are three, gushing, ice-cold freshwater springs in the area, which are believed to have medicinal properties. The complete tourist circuit covers Jammu-Katra-Vaishno Deviji, Kud-Sanasar, Patnitop-Gourikund, Sudmahadev, extending up to Latti-Dhuna.
Places to visit: Nathatop, Skyview Patnitop, Shiva Garh
Things to do: Paragliding, skiing, trekking
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
6. Hemis, Ladakh
Hemis envelops you in its peacefulness with magnificent artwork and peaceful serenity, while the terrain adds to its scenery. One of the popular hill stations near Ladakh, Hemi is a charming hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, ideal for a quiet retreat. The region is known for its snow leopard sightings and renowned festivals that commemorate the triumph of virtue over evil in a colorful and vivid manner.
Places to visit: Hemis National Park, Hemis Monastery, Gotsang Gompa
Things to do: Heritage tourism, shopping, mountain homestays, birdwatching
Best time to visit: April to June
7. Lamayuru
Lamayuru is a small hill station and offers some of the best Kashmir tourist attractions. It is located on NH1-D, commonly known as the Srinagar-Leh Highway, halfway between Kargil and Leh. Additionally, it is 100 kilometers ahead of Leh, after Fotu La, the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Lamayuru, known as the “place of freedom” and home to Ladakh’s oldest and biggest monasteries, is a must-see for anybody seeking serenity and tranquility.
Places to visit: MoonLand, Lamayuru Monastery, Uleytokpo
Things to do: Camping, meditation and yoga, trekking
Best time to visit: April to June
8. Pulwama
Pulwama is a small town in the Srinagar area known for its apple orchards, waterfalls, natural springs, and picturesque landscapes. It is a beautiful hill station in Jammu and Kashmir with several temples in and around it. Well-known for its high culture and stunning scenery, Pulwama offers a number of interesting sites to visit. Trekking, skiing, snowboarding, and a variety of other activities are available to visitors here.
Places to visit: Aharbal Waterfall, Tarsar and Marsar Lake, Kungwattan, Shikargah
Things to do: Trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
9. Sanasar
Sanasar, one of the lesser-known hill stations in the Jammu-Kashmir region, is an adventurer’s dream, offering activities such as paragliding and rock climbing. Sanasar is well-known for its Wilderness adventure camps, which are dedicated to giving adventure sports participants with an unforgettable experience. While flying over the town, one may take in the beauty of Sanasar and enjoy the calm they find in such a sport. You can do some Kashmir sightseeing while you’re there.
Places to visit: Wilderness Adventure Camps, Naag Mandir
Things to do: Camping, paragliding, abseiling, rock climbing
Best time to visit: April to June
Wrapping Up
So, which of these hill stations do you plan to visit? Call us to plan a trip to Kashmir or book a cab. We provide the best service and most comfortable of journeys.
FAQs
Which are some of the hill stations located in Kashmir?
Hill stations located near Kashmir are Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Nubra Valley among others.
Which is the No. 1 hill station in India?
Mussoorie in Uttarakhand offers stunning views of the green Doon Valley and the distant white-capped Himalayan peaks. It is also popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’.
Is Jammu Kashmir a hill station?
Technically, Jammu Kashmir is a union territory of India, and it offers wonderful hill stations at an altitude of thousands of meters above sea level.
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