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The Lidder river running over boulders in front of tree-covered hills and distant mountains under a cloudy sky
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Photo: ThePoeticFrame · CC BY-SA 4.0
viewpoint2 min from Pahalgam

The Lidder Valley at Pahalgam — river, meadows and pine forest

The Lidder Valley at Pahalgam: the 73 km river from the Kolahoi Glacier, its two streams that join at the town, the meadows, trout and the walks along it.

What it is

The Lidder Valley is the valley of the Lidder River, east of the Jhelum in the Vale of Kashmir. Wikipedia describes the river as 73 km long, rising at the Kolahoi Glacier and meeting the Jhelum at Mirgund Khanabal, at about 1,615 m. Pahalgam stands in the middle of it, at about 2,200 m, where the East Lidder from Sheshnag Lake joins the main stream.

Photos: Nandanupadhyay (CC BY-SA 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

The land

At Pahalgam the valley divides in two, one branch leading north-east towards the Amarnath Temple and one north-west to Aru. The rocks are volcanic and limestone, and the forest is mainly evergreen fir, pine and spruce. Wikipedia says the river's water is crystal blue, and that trout live in it.

Visiting

The viewpoint is under 2 km from the town. You can walk the banks and meadows from there. We have no verified rates for ponies or guides; agree the price first.

Combine it with

The Mamleshwar Temple is on the same river. The one-day plan and the Aru day use the valley. Read things to do in Pahalgam.

Plans that include this

All 2 plans that stop here →
A green forested valley with a stream winding through meadows below snow-capped peaks and white clouds near Pahalgam
One day in Pahalgam — the temple, the river and the road to Chandanwari
Day plan · First visit · nature
A one-day Pahalgam plan: the Mamleshwar Temple, a walk along the Lidder and the road up to Chandanwari, where the Amarnath path begins, with times.
Best May–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →
A green meadow with small huts below snow-covered mountains seen through bare branches at Aru Valley in spring
A day up the Lidder to Aru — meadows and the trek base
Day plan · nature · nature
A relaxed day trip from Pahalgam up the Lidder valley to Aru: a riverside walk, then the meadows and mountains at the base of the Kolahoi Glacier treks.
Best May–Jun · Sep
See the plan →

Nearby places

All of Pahalgam →
Mamleshwar Temple, Pahalgam — the old stone shrine on the Lidder
Mamleshwar Temple, Pahalgam — the old stone shrine on the Lidder
temple · 866 m away
Aru Valley — meadows and the trek base above Pahalgam
Aru Valley — meadows and the trek base above Pahalgam
town · 9.7 km away
Chandanwari — the road-end and start of the Amarnath pilgrim path
Chandanwari — the road-end and start of the Amarnath pilgrim path
town · 12 km away
Chashme Shahi — the royal spring garden above Dal Lake
Chashme Shahi — the royal spring garden above Dal Lake
monument · 40 km away
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — Asia's largest tulip garden
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — Asia's largest tulip garden
park · 41 km away
Pari Mahal — the terraced garden of fairies above Dal Lake
Pari Mahal — the terraced garden of fairies above Dal Lake
monument · 41 km away
Nishat Bagh — the terraced Mughal garden of joy on Dal Lake
Nishat Bagh — the terraced Mughal garden of joy on Dal Lake
monument · 42 km away
Shalimar Bagh — the Mughal garden on Dal Lake's north shore
Shalimar Bagh — the Mughal garden on Dal Lake's north shore
monument · 44 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
A rocky mountain stream running through a green valley beneath snow-covered peaks at Sonamarg
Sonamarg
32 km away · 1 itineraries · 2 places
Two shikara boats on calm Dal Lake with snow-covered mountains rising behind the far shore
Srinagar
46 km away · 3 itineraries · 12 places
Visitors walking across the snowy Kongdoori bowl beneath a ridge on a bright winter day
Gulmarg
86 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
Dalhousie hill station across its five hills
Dalhousie
176 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
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Questions people ask

What is the Lidder Valley?

The valley of the Lidder River, which Wikipedia describes as 73 km long, rising at the Kolahoi Glacier and joining the Jhelum at Mirgund Khanabal at about 1,615 m. Pahalgam stands in the middle of it, where the East Lidder, from Sheshnag Lake, joins the main river. Its slopes are fir, pine and spruce.

What is there to do in the Lidder Valley?

Walk the riverbanks and meadows, picnic, and use Pahalgam as a base for Aru and the high lakes. Wikipedia says the river holds river and rainbow trout, and Aru offers trout fishing among its activities. We have no verified rates for ponies or guides; agree the price first.

How far is it from Pahalgam town?

The valley starts at the town, and the mapped viewpoint is under 2 km away. Tracks lead upstream towards Aru, about 12 km on, and downstream along the river. The weather changes quickly at height, so carry a rain layer, and check local conditions before you go further up the valley.