How to reach Gulmarg — the road from Srinagar via Tangmarg
How to reach Gulmarg from Srinagar by road via Tangmarg, with measured distances and times from the airport and railway, Baramulla and the winter road.
ArticleVerified 2026-10-14
Best time to visit Gulmarg — snow, flowers and the winter festival
When to visit Gulmarg: heavy snow and skiing in winter, flowering meadows in spring and summer, a March winter festival, and what weather means for the gondola.
The season at Gulmarg swings between deep snow and open green meadow. Wikipedia gives its climate type, a warm-summer humid continental one with a wet winter and heavy snowfall, but no weather table, so we give no monthly figures.
Winter
The snow season. The meadows lie under snow, and the slopes of Apharwat serve skiers, tobogganers, snowboarders and heli-skiers, with the Gulmarg Gondola as the way up. A three-day winter festival is held in March. The road from Srinagar is slower after snow, so leave early and keep a spare day.
Spring
The snow melts and the meadows begin to flower. Wikipedia lists daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups among the wild flowers of the natural meadows in spring and summer.
Summer
Moderate in temperature, by Wikipedia's account, and good for walks on the meadow and a visit to St Mary's Church and the Maharani Temple.
Autumn
The shoulder season, relatively cool, before the first snow. Days are shorter, so start early.
Plans for the season
The one-day plan suits the snow season, and the meadows half-day the green months. Read how to reach Gulmarg and things to do in Gulmarg.
Places around Gulmarg
The Gulmarg guide →
Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary — the forest and meadows around the resort
The Gulmarg Gondola — the two-stage cable car up Apharwat
Maharani Temple, Gulmarg — the Shiva temple of 1915 on the meadow's rise
St Mary's Church, Gulmarg — the 1902 church in the valley of shepherds
Apharwat Peak — the mountain above Gulmarg and its ski slopes
Jama Masjid Srinagar — the great wooden Friday mosque of the old city
Khanqah-e-Moula — the wooden shrine of Shah-e-Hamadan on the Jhelum
Hari Parbat Fort — the hill fort above Srinagar's old city
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Questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Gulmarg?
Winter for snow and skiing, and spring to summer for the flowering meadows. Wikipedia describes a wet winter with heavy snowfall and moderate summers with cool shoulder seasons. We have no monthly weather table for Gulmarg, so check the forecast and the gondola's status before you travel.
When is the Gulmarg winter festival?
In March, for three days, according to Wikipedia, with artists from music, film and photography showing their work. The dates change each year. Gulmarg was also the venue of the National Winter Games three times, in 1998, 2004 and 2008, and of the first Khelo India Winter Games in March 2020.
Does the gondola run all year?
Wikipedia says its operation depends heavily on the weather at both stages, so it can close in wind, cloud or storm at any time of year. We have no verified hours or fares. In winter the slopes of Apharwat serve skiers, tobogganers, snowboarders and heli-skiers, and the gondola is the way up.