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.
Ferozpore Nallah
Reached from the Tangmarg road, or from the Outer Circular
Walk, this mountain stream meets the Bahan River at
a popular picnic spot known as 'waters meet'. The stream
is reputed to be particularly good for trout fishing;
it's about five km down the valley from Gulmarg but
quite close to Tangmarg. The river can be reached by
walking 3-km down the path from the gap near Tangmarg
and then heading south through the forest, down a slope
towards the stream.
Near here there is a bridge which leas to the small
waters meet picnic spot on the right bank. Looking south
from Tangmarg the river can be traced up to its source
close to the rugged peak known as Ferozpore or Shinmahinyu.
On the right bank the stream branches, the left path
leading to Tosa Maidan, while the right bends away towards
the Gogaldara road at a second bridge, about 32-km upstream,
and then leads away to the Ferozpore pass, Poonch and
Kantar Nag.
One can continue on from here to Tosa Maidan, a three
day, 50-km walk to one of Kashmir's most beautiful Marg's,
crossing the Basmai Gali pass at about 4,000 metres.
The track here is very close to the ceasefire line with
Pakistan and on the right one will pass the Jamainwali
Gali, the pass at 4,000 metres is one of the easiest
and safest routes into the Punjab.
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, is 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.
Golf Courses:
Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf
courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical
building in its own right. For the would-be golfer,
there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in
the game, and temporary memberships. Naturally, these
facilities are available to players as well, except
that serious golfers usually carry their sets along.
Gondola Lift:
For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's
newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg,
through pine clad slopes, is exhilarating.
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. |
