Yusmarg / Yousmarg, Srinagar - Best Season to Visit, Things to Do

At a distance of 50 km from Srinagar, Yusmarg or Yousmarg is an extremely beautiful hill station in the Budgam district of Jammu & Kashmir. Located in the western part of Kashmir Valley, it is one of the most scenic places to visit near Srinagar, and among the must-include places in Kashmir tour packages.

Yusmarg is a small and scenic hamlet situated at an altitude of 2396 m towards the southwest of Srinagar. Sprawling green meadows, aromatic pine forests, splendid water bodies, and blossoming spring flowers make this hill station a heavenly destination in the Valley of Kashmir. River Doodhganga traverses these meadows, making the entire landscape even more enchanting. Often called as mini Switzerland, it is the quietest place out of all tourist destinations in Kashmir.

Yusmarg is home to some of the highest peaks in the Pir Panjal range including Tattakutti (4,725 m) and Sunset Peak (4,746m). The beauty of its snowcapped peaks of the mighty Himalayas makes Yusmarg comparable to the majestic Alps of Europe. Skiing on the undulating slopes of Yusmarg provides skiing opportunities to adventure enthusiasts during winters. While in summers, it is fairytale-like, with green meadows covered with wildflowers and ponies galloping around. One can take charming walks through forests of pine and cross streams on foot. The tiny hamlet also has Nilnag Lake, which mesmerizes visitors with its sparkling waters.

For adventure lovers, there are several trekking routes around Yusmarg. A 4 km trek to a small lake called Nilnag, famous for its blue water, a 10 km trek leads to the frozen lake in Sang-e-Safed valley, which is mostly covered by ice even during the summer, and a 2 km trek leads to Doodhganga River which is a tributary of Jhelum River, are some of the most popular ones at Yousmarg. Horse riding, fishing, skiing, and photography are other activities one must indulge in.

One can reach Yusmarg from Srinagar by hiring a taxi that takes you via Charar-e-Sharief which takes around 2 hours.

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Free