Beyond Gulmarg & Pahalgam: Discover Kashmir’s Lesser‑Known Magical Towns

By: Javid Amin | 06 Aug 2025

Not for crowds, but for connection

Why Explore Beyond the Usual?

When most travellers think of Kashmir, their minds go to Gulmarg’s ski slopes or Pahalgam’s riverside paths. But true wanderers know the soul of the Valley lies in its unsung towns. These places aren’t polished for postcards—they’re lived and loved by locals who thrive not on crowds but on connection.

In this guide, we dive deep into five soulful, lesser‑known towns of J&K: Daksum, Gurez, Yusmarg, Aharbal, and Bungus Valley. Each offers authenticity, space, stillness, and surprise—values that mass‑market destinations can’t deliver.

01. Daksum – The Forest in Hiding

Nature’s lullaby at 2,438 m

Located in Anantnag district along NH‑244, Daksum sits at 2,438 m, just 42 km from Anantnag and about 100 km from Srinagar. This is where the Bringhi River hums softly through whispering pines and hidden meadows, edged by the Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Atmosphere: reclining grasses, serenity, and trout streams—perfect for artists, naturalists, or anyone craving deep breath.

• What to do:

  • Picnic beside the Bringhi River

  • Hike into pine‑forest meadows for art, photography, or quiet

  • Day‑trek toward Sinthan Pass (trail begins from nearby Vailoo)

  • Spot pheasants, mukh deer, or even hangul in Rajparian Sanctuary

• Why feel richer: There are no restaurants—just packed lunches and local warmth. It’s a forest in hiding, not a zone of commerce.

Also Read | Gurez Valley Reopens: Hope Returns to Kashmir’s Border Gem

02. Gurez Valley – The Valley That Time Forgot

Where tradition breathes at 2,400 m

Rising to around 8,000 ft (2,400 m) and located 123 km north of Srinagar in Bandipora district, Gurez Valley unfolds like a Highland painting—framed by Harmukh Peak, fed by the Kishanganga River, and shaded by centuries‑old wooden houses of the Dard‑Shin community.

• Cultural fabric: In Dawar, the valley’s main township, you’ll find wooden homes, the Shina‑speaking Dard‑Shin tribe, local handicrafts, traditional food like nadur monji or muj chetin, and even Dhumhal dance performances.

• Rambling trails and peaks: Trek to Habba Khatoon Peak, named for the iconic Kashmiri poetess, and stand beside a spring she once named. Or ramble into Tulail Valley—a rarely visited cluster of villages requiring permit access from the army due to proximity to the LoC.

• Wild, star‑rich nights: With no Wi‑Fi and zero light pollution, Gurez is perfect for stargazing and riverside camping under the Milky Way.

• Community resilience: Tourist infrastructure remains simple yet sustainable: about 15‑20 local homestays and tented camps help locals earn while keeping tradition alive. Guides include the Indian Army, which helps maintain hygiene, waste standards, and registrations.

03. Yusmarg – Meadows That Stretch Like Yawns

Green calm just south of Srinagar

Also called Yousmarg (“Meadow of Jesus”), this alpine hill station in Budgam district sits at about 2,396 m, roughly 43 km from Srinagar and easily accessed within two hours by car.

• Scenery: sweeping green meadows, silent streams, distant peaks—no crowds, just expanses waiting.

• Activities: Horse riding, trout fishing by Nilnag Lake, or a 10 km trek to the frozen Sang‑e‑Safed valley.

• Ideal for: solo travellers, digital nomads, poets, dreamers who prefer wildflowers over wifi.

Also Read | Honeymoon in Kashmir, Family Holidays, Pilgrim Tours | JKL Travels 2025 Mega Offers | Luxury Kashmir Packages at Budget Price

04. Aharbal – The Quiet Roar of a Hidden Waterfall

When mist meets roar in southern Kashmir

Located in Kulgam district’s Noorabad area, Aharbal lies along the Veshu River at ~2,266 m, about a 3‑hour drive from Srinagar via Pulwama or Shopian.

• The Falls: Known as the “Niagara of Kashmir”, Aharbal Falls drops 25 m through a narrow granite gorge. The terraces leading to it offer panoramic viewpoints, though caution is essential.

• Off‑path exploration: Walk upstream through shepherd huts, misty groves, and mossy footbridges. Local guides offer stories no app can deliver.

• Why linger: It’s less about scenic perfection and more about sensory silence—where water doesn’t just fall, it dances.

05. Bungus (Bangus) Valley – The Brother of Gulmarg That Never Bragged

High‑altitude solitude at 3,012 m

Bungus Valley in Kupwara district is an alpine bowl of lush grasslands, freshwater streams, and grazing sheep—approximately 100 km from Srinagar, accessible via Handwara or Kupwara roads.

• Flora & fauna: Dense forests and meadows host musk deer, snow leopards, pheasants, wild fowl, and even brown bears.

• Trekking: Trails cross high ridges like Bidrun Top, where even Google Maps seems lost.

• Basic infrastructure: No resorts, no souvenir shops—just tented stays, shepherd hospitality, and quiet mornings with endless sky.

Also Read | Keran Valley – Kashmir’s Whispering Frontier of Beauty and Peace

Why Choose These Lesser‑Known Gems?

Inconvenience is the new luxury. These towns reward you with:

• Authenticity: You’re welcomed as a momentary member of a real community, not a booking number.

• Space: No selfie sticks bumping you—just wide skies and empty valleys.

• Stillness: More powerful than notifications.

• Unexpected kindness: Like a cup of kahwa from a stranger, no tip expected.

• Purpose: Each stay contributes to local economies, preserves traditions, and sustains eco‑tourism.

Practical Tips: Travel Like a Local

1. Pack light, pack smart: Layered clothes, waterproofs, thermals, extra socks and gloves.

2. Cash is king: ATMs are sparse. No dependable UPI in rural lanes.

3. Converse: Local shopkeepers, shepherds, or bakers are storytellers in disguise.

4. Respect local norms: Some areas (like Tulail or near fellow tribes) require permits. Silence is golden—curiosity is fine, but be sensitive.

5. Slow down: You’re not just visiting locations, you’re entering someone’s everyday life. Walk gently through it.

Also Read | JKL Travels Mega Offers 2025: Honeymoon, Family, Pilgrim, and Luxury Trips to Kashmir at Budget Prices!

The Hidden Economy of Unseen Kashmir

Every meal at a dhaba helps a family feed children. Every night in a homestay keeps a tradition alive. Every handcrafted basket or walnut cake preserves a generational craft.

When you choose these towns, you enter a quiet revolution: a model of travel where dignity thrives—and development doesn’t mean destruction.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Visit Kashmir—Drift Into It

Let Daksum’s forests reset your pace. Let Gurez’s silence rewrite your thoughts. Let Yusmarg’s meadows remind you that best memories are never scheduled. Let Aharbal’s waterfall breathe into your stillness. Let Bungus make you feel small—in the best possible way.

Mountains don’t call with loudspeakers. They whisper—and only those who slow down hear them.