Beautiful lakes, green meadows, snow-capped peaks, and the heavenly kahwa. Jammu and Kashmir is rightly known as ‘Paradise on Earth’. Here’s a look at some breathtaking off-the-beaten-track places you can visit on your next trip. Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, etc are places that are well- known. However, paradise is not restricted to these breathtakingly lovely locations. These six unique places are equally stunning and vying for your attention.
Aharbal Falls
Aharbal Falls, which gushes down and falls melodiously in isolation, is a hidden gem. Also known as the Kashmiri Niagara Falls, Aharbal is located in Kulgam district’s Noorabad region. It is situated in an alpine valley surrounded by pine and fir trees on the Vishav River, a tributary of the Jhelum. Aharbal is easily accessible from Srinagar, and it takes around two hours to go there by vehicle or bus through Shopian. A different path to Aharbal will take you through Kulgam.
Astanmarg
Flanked by a few tiny towns, Astanmarg is a meadow atop the Zabarwan mountains. You climb up the hill on a narrow, steep road until you reach the point where the road terminates, giving you an incredible view of Srinagar and Dal Lake. If you are an adventure seeker, you can go paragliding in Astanmarg. This place is located around 10 kilometres from Shalimar Bagh, 13 kilometres from Nishat Bagh and Dal Lake, and approximately 25 kilometres from Lal Chowk in Srinagar.
Dehra Ki Gali
Located in Rajouri district at 6,600 feet within the Pir Panjal range, the valley is charming with a lush green cover, colourful flowers, and small wooden huts where you can have a cup of kahwa. The Pir Panjal pass connects the districts of Poonch and Rajouri. This destination sees snowfall through the winter months and boasts a dense plant cover that delights and draws many.
Suchetgarh
The state tourism department has established Suchetgarh border post as a tourist destination. On the other side of the border is a magnificent banyan tree that is said to be more than 100 years old. This area has two incredible wetlands, Gharana and Abdullian, where thousands of indigenous and migratory birds converge during the winter. Located 28 kilometres from the centre of Jammu, you can get to Suchetgarh via the road from Jammu to Nai Basti-Gulabgarh. It follows the railroad line set up before 1947, and several ancient structures may be viewed along the way.
Sarthal Valley
This undiscovered heaven is nestled amidst stunning mountains and rivers shimmering in the sunlight. Its natural splendour has earned it the moniker “Mini- Kashmir”. A location rich in surprises, the valley sheltered within Jammu’s Kathua district is home to several waterfalls and streams. You can even witness seven waterfalls in one place.
Gurez
Gurez Valley exemplifies a lovely, calm alpine valley that stretches along the river’s edge. It contains all of the characteristics that make a person fall in love with it.
Gurez is 150 kilometres from Srinagar and 85 kilometres from Bandipora, the nearest major town. Gurez sits at an elevation of 8000 feet above sea level, surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas, and the KishanGanga river runs through the valley. You should visit Razdan Pass, Dawar, Tulail Valley, Harmukh, Habba Khatoon, and many other beautiful spots in the Gurez Valley during your visit.
Daksum
Daksum, one of the notable unexplored places in Kashmir, is a lovely picnic place in Jammu and Kashmir, located at an elevation of 2,438 metres above sea level, around 40 kilometres south-east of Anantnag.
It’s a trekker’s paradise, with coniferous forests, bubbling streams, and hidden grassy meadows, all set against the melodious backdrop of the rushing Bringhi River.
Daksum is a trekkers’ paradise, surrounded by evergreen forests, bubbling streams, and secluded grassy meadows with the sound of the rushing Bringhi river and the occasional shepherd tending his sheep for company.
Yusmarg
Yusmarg, also known as the ‘Meadows of Jesus,’ is located in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. It is thought to be the location where Jesus once resided. Yusmarg is a fantastic tourist destination for all those wishing for a quiet and refreshing vacation amidst nature, sitting by the enchanting River Doodhganga and overlooking the magnificent Sunset and Tatakooti Peaks.
According to the Ahmadiya Muslim Community, Jesus once walked across the verdant meadows of Yusmarg, hence the name.The villagers go on to state that Jesus died here and that his tomb is also here, however this is a contentious issue.Yusmarg is a gorgeous location in Kashmir that offers an unrivalled holiday destination for nature enthusiasts.
Watlab
A trip to Watlab is a must for everyone who wants to see the real Kashmir. Slowly and steadily, as you get out from the valley’s well-travelled sections, you’ll begin to experience Kashmir like you’ve never seen it before.
Watlab in Kashmir is known for its hilltop Muslim shrine, in addition to its natural beauty. The shrine was established in honour of Muslim mystic Baba Shukurddin.
This location provides a stunning view of Wular Lake that stretches as far as the eye can see. The lovely villages that surround the lake add to the beauty of the landscape.The neighbouring paddy fields also provide a splash of colour to the backdrop. In terms of lodging in Watlab, there is a Forest Rest House nestled amongst gorgeous apple orchards.
Karnah
Karnah is one of the unexplored places in Kashmir, offers spectacular and marvellous areas to witness nature’s surreal beauty. In Karnah, you will be spellbound by the lovely climate, natural beauty, spectacular scenery, and striking views. Those who want to be engulfed by nature’s splendour should travel and visit the top tourist attractions in the Karnah area.
This lovely location has a lot to offer visitors looking for the greatest tourist attractions in Karnah for sightseeing or city tours with their families and friends. There are a number of well-known tourist sites where you may go and participate in some exciting outdoor adventure sports and activities. This is without a doubt one of India’s best and most popular tourist attractions, especially among honeymooners and young people eager to enjoy the outdoors.
Breng
Breng Valley is one of Kashmir’s most spectacular and offbeat places in Kashmir, with an incredible natural landscape and a calm and charming setting.
It is the epitome of ultimate tourism, with snow-capped mountain peaks, fresh water springs and streams, vast meadows, never-ending pine forests, herbal jungles with medicinal flora, Rhododendrons, high altitude freshwater lakes, Mughal gardens, historic and religious sites, archaeological sites, and trekking routes to Ladakh, Kishtwar, and Marwah-Wadwan among its many attractions.
The Bringi River flows from the Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Famber, and Mawar glaciers and is vital to life in the Breng Valley, providing drinking water, irrigation for the crops, and powering the mill stones. Breng Valley is home to a number of tourist attractions, some of which are still undiscovered. Achabal, Kokernag, Fatan, Dandipura, Sinthan Top, Poshwan, Bamb Pather, Daksum, Lihinwan, Zalangam, Margan Top, Mawer Nag, Chohhar Nag, and others are some of these locations.
Warwan Valley
The rugged, hilly landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the verdant parts of Kashmir Valley, support Warwan Valley! It is brimming with greatness and excitement, neither of which can be found anywhere else.
The path winds through some of Kashmir’s most secluded and beautiful areas, allowing you kilometres of unspoiled beauty to savour. The path, which stretches for more than 20 kilometres, passes through frozen masses, moraines, and tight deceiving edges.
The entire expedition is 100 kilometres long and includes nine days of tough hiking. Despite the fact that the trek’s rough terrain may appear to be overpowering, the awards are more than just cosmetics for all of the uniforms.
Aru Valley
Aru Valley is one of the most sought after offbeat places in Kashmir, located 12 kilometres from Pahalgam in the Anantnag region of Jammu and Kashmir, is a renowned tourist destination.Visitors are drawn to the area by the picturesque meadows, clear lakes, and mountains, and it also acts as a base camp for climbs to the Kolahoi Glacier and Tarsar Lake.
It is a popular tourist attraction in Kashmir, not only because of stunning scenery, but also because of the wide range of activities available. When it gets very cold in the winter, it’s really a popular ski and heli-ski destination
Lolab Valley
The Lolab valley is one of the best offbeat places in Kashmir, named after Maharaja LOLO, and is famed for its beautiful green trees and grasslands. It stretches over 25 kilometres from north to south, with widths ranging from a few yards to 5 kilometres. A brook known as Lalkul runs through it (Lahwal). Numerous streams flow into Lalkul from the surrounding hills, which are covered in deep Deodar forest, and the valley, which has an average depth of 7 to 15 feet and is unique among them. It’s also famous for the Sat Barran (Seven Doors) and a cave in Madmadav’s forests.
Anderbaugh village is home to the well-known Lov-mag. Apart from its natural beauty, the Lolab Valley is historically significant since Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri was born in Varnow hamlet, a small community in the region. Lolab Valley now has a well-developed infrastructure and is well connected to the rest of the region. Dooruswani, Chandigam, Krusan, Khurhama, Nagsari, Kamrial, and Cherkoot are some of the other well-known sites with great potential.
Chatpal
Chatpal which is considered to be one of the Unexplored Places in Kashmir is located in the Shangus area of south Kashmir happens to be unquestionably a spot to disconnect and get lost amidst mountains and lovely green fields covered with wildflowers.
A great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, with only the sounds of trickling brooks and birds chirping, appears to be the right location. This location has the ability to astound you with its beauty and tranquil surroundings. Chatpal is an unspoiled and remote location free of commercialization, with some fascinating surrounding attractions such as Sonamarg, Martand Temple, Aharbal Falls, Gulmarg, Lolab Valley, and Kishtwar National Park.
Tulail Valley
The path from Gurez to Tulail runs through the Kishanganga River’s picturesque scenery. You will pass via the villages of Barnai, Chakwali, Kashpat, and Zargai on your way to the Purani Tulail Village.
In the summer, the virgin valley blooms and is great for picture sessions. The ever-alluring beauty of this valley is enhanced by the play of foggy clouds over the green mountains, floral fields, and unfettered horizon.