10 Beautiful Valleys in Kashmir that Are Straight Out of Heaven!

The valleys in Kashmir have long been known for their scenic beauty. Referred to as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Jammu & Kashmir feels like a place out of a fairy tale with picture-perfect grasslands, snowy mountains, and breathtaking valleys; all waiting to welcome you to one of the most beautiful places on this Earth. Enclosed by the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges and decorated with meadows, lush valleys, dense forests, splendid temples, and a wild river, this place is one to fall in love with instantly.

Surrounded by far-reaching mountain slopes, neverending streams of rivers, and huge waterfalls that are complete with their own unique flora and fauna, valleys in Kashmir effortlessly showcase their majestic stance. Let us take you on a journey through 10 of the most stunning valleys that you can visit on your Kashmir tour package.

1. Gulmarg Valley

A famous recreation spot for adventure enthusiasts, Gulmarg is quite a popular and beautiful valley of Kashmir. Offering breath-taking views, skiing opportunities in winters, and vast lush grasslands, Gulmarg, at one time, was the most preferred recreational spot for Mughal Emperor Jahangir and makes for a great holiday destination and valley in Kashmir. Interestingly, you can experience the famous gondola rides here and also witness two major skiing events each year which Gulmarg plays host to.

2. Sonamarg Valley, Kashmir

Situated at a high altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg Valley is a mesmerizing little village in Kashmir. Literally meaning the meadow of gold, it consists of snow-capped mountains set against a spectacular blue sky. The Sindh River flows through the valley and brings the vegetation around here to life. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier which is a major local attraction during the summer. Sonamarg Valley is also the base of a major trek that passes along several mountain lakes, covering Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Gangabal, as well as a base for the holy yatra to the Amarnath cave, during Sawan Purnima.

3. Betaab Valley, Kashmir

The Betaab Valley in Kashmir got its fame from the Bollywood movie, Betaab, featuring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh in their debut performances. The valley got famous after the release of the movie. It offers snow-clad mountains, dense vegetation and has also become a favourite spot for Bollywood movie shoots. Tourists can enjoy the natural beauty as well as the ice-cold and crystal-clear water of the Baisaran and Tulian lakes. Surrounded by lush green meadows, this valley is located en-route to the famous cave shrine of Amarnath.

4. Bangus Valley, Kashmir

One of the most unexplored tourist destinations in Kashmir, Bangus Valley is located in the scenic Kupwara District. Tall pine trees line its forests and give a peek into its rich flora and fauna. The mountain ridges are reflected in the blissful streams of rivers that flow below and animals such as the antelope, brown bear, musk dear and mighty snow leopard call it their home. The Kala Roos Caves in Bangus are popularly known to have old Stone Age wall paintings and the valley itself is loved by many for being a portal to reach Russia!

5. Gurez Valley, Kashmir

Located at a high altitude of around 2400m and at a distance of 123 Km from Srinagar and aptly called the winter capital of Kashmir, Gurez Valley is another unexplored valley in the beautiful place we call Kashmir. Surrounded by snow-coated mountains and flaunting a sparkling view of the Kishanganga river, Gurez valley in Kashmir is counted by many trekkers and backpackers as one of the most amazing places to see in Kashmir. During the months of November to May, Gurez is entirely cut off from the rest of the world due to heavy snowfall and thus still remains untouched by commercialization to this date.

6. Nubra Valley, Kashmir

Nubra Valley in Kashmir is the northernmost part of Jammu and Kashmir and is known for its orchards, scenic vistas, Bactrian camels, and monasteries. It is situated about 150 Km from Leh and is popularly called the Orchard of Ladakh. The valley is predominantly Buddhist and boasts of several centres of Buddhist learning monasteries. Locals population grows fruits like apples, walnuts, apricots, almonds, and staple crops like wheat, barley, etc.

7. Poonch Valley, Kashmir

Poonch Valley in Kashmir is located at the controversial Indo-Pak border and is highly popular among tourists from across the world. The valley is filled with green meadows, beautiful natural lakes, and alpine mountains, and offers stunning views of the Pir Panjal range of mountains. It is home to seven lakes and waterfalls. Surankote Valley, Swami Budha Amarnath Ji Mandir, and Nangali Sahib Gurudwara are popular places to see nearby.

8. Dha Hanu Valley, Kashmir

This valley is formed by Hindukush Mountains in addition to the river Indus and is quite popular among tourists from around the world. Its beautiful surroundings include quaint, little villages and are located at a lower altitude which makes it a preferred place to spend some quality time with family. This valley in Kashmir is the popular land of Aryans which showcases a diverse cultural harmony amidst the natural surroundings.

9. Nagin Valley Kashmir

Nagin Valley in Kashmir is a very popular valley that is known for its beautiful meadows which comprise of pines, deodars, and alpine trees. It was only opened to visitors recently as it is located near the LOC line of the Indo-Pak border. Mountains visible from here are covered in snow all year long, attracting visitors from distant parts of the country.

10. Daksum Valley, Kashmir

Located near the Bhringi River, Daksum Valley in Kashmir extends a sense of bliss with its serene environment for a fun time with friends and family. With dense forests, grassy meadows, and colourful flowers that mark your way, Daksum attracts visitors for a variety of reasons. Tourists here can see the beauty of natural springs and embrace the lifestyle of traditional villages. Trekking is also very common here.

A holiday to Kashmir must be planned according to the kind of experience you want to have and the places to visit in Kashmir. Like a Farsi couplet rightly says, “Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast,

Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast.”