GULMARG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

About Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary

Opening Hours: Open daily 10 AM - 4 PM

Prime Day & Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 1 PM, and weekends

Suggested Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Tickets: Offline counter 

Nearest Railway Station: Jammu Tawi railway station, approximately 342 km away

Nearest Airport: Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR), approximately 61 km away

Nearest Bus Stop: Gulmarg Bus Stand, approximately 8 km away

Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary is a large protected area in the Baramulla district, located around 5 km from Gulmarg Bus Station. Located in the Pir Panjal Range, it spans 180 square km of forested slopes and is 2,400–4,300 meters above sea level, making it a must-include in your Kashmir tour packages. On the steep hillsides, you can explore the thick forests of silver fir, blue pine, and silver birch. In the sanctuary, you can spot rare species like the musk deer, snow leopard, Hangul, black bear, and red fox.

It is an excellent location for birdwatching, with species like the monal, snowcock, jungle crow, and Kashmir roller often spotted here. Enjoy peaceful nature treks and stunning views of exposed volcanic rock along the Ferozpur Gorge route. Frequently featured in Kashmir honeymoon packages, this serene escape allows couples to unwind amidst fresh mountain air and vibrant wildlife, far from the usual tourist crowd.

Must-Try Experiences

1. Walk Through Sub-Alpine Forest Belts: There are designated walking trails that allow you to explore dense forests of blue pine, silver fir, and silver birch. In the lower zones, you can find Pinus griffithii trees growing with maple, spruce, and yew. You can observe up close how these tree species develop in various slope and moisture conditions along the trails.

2. Watch Migratory and Native Birds: On rocky ridges or close to groups of pine trees, you can search for the Koklass pheasant, Himalayan snowcock, Impeyan monal, and the very rare Kashmir flycatcher. Additionally, you can spot migratory species such as the Himalayan griffon vulture and bald eagle in the winter. If you want to see birds in action, you should go around sunrise.

3. Observe Wildlife Along Ridge Trails: Along ridge routes, you can spot wildlife such as red fox, yellow-throated marten, and musk deer close to shrub zones. You can see brown bears moving around the edge of the Poonch forest. Additionally, in certain areas, you can also spot the endangered markhor as it moves across forest divisions.

Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary Highlights

• Discover 180 square km of protected forest of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to endangered hangul, musk deer, and leopards.
• Take a stroll through the rugged volcanic landscape near Ferozpur Nullah to witness red foxes and brown bears in the wild.
• Discover high-altitude birds such as Himalayan monals and koklass pheasants breeding in open meadows and patches of wet forest.
• Spot gentiana, primula, and potentilla, among other wildflowers, bloom in alpine meadows, especially near Gulmarg town in the summer.

How To Reach Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary

By car: Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately 4 km away from the centre of Gulmarg. You can hire a taxi or a car to reach the sanctuary via Outer Gulmarg Rd and Potato Farm Rd in about 15 minutes.

Best Time To Visit Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary

Peak Season (September to November) (April to June)

• Weather Insights: Pleasant days with temperatures ranging between 10°C to 20°C, and minimal rainfall.
• Things to Do: Wildlife spotting of Himalayan brown bears, musk deer, and markhor, nature walks and birdwatching.

Moderate Season (July to August)

• Weather Insights: Mild weather with occasional rain showers, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 23°C.
• Things to Do: Short treks, medicinal plant identification, spotting butterflies and monsoon birds in sub-alpine zones.

Low Season (December to March)

• Weather Insights: Harsh winter with heavy snowfall, with temperatures often falling below 0°C.
• Things to Do: The Sanctuary remains mostly closed due to snow-covered trails and blocked access routes.

Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary Other Essential Information

Why Visit?

• Along a rare cross-regional path that links wildlife to remote cultural villages, you can walk to Poonch through the sanctuary.
• Kanternag, Apharwat, and Neel Kanth peaks are located within the sanctuary, providing visitors with access to significant Himalayan summits from a single protected area.
• The sanctuary is one of the few wildlife areas with views from aerial cable cars, passing through it on the 6-kilometer-long Gulmarg Gondola.
• The Gulmarg basin's forests surround this sanctuary, which is set in a natural bowl formed by mountains changing over thousands of years.

Know Before You Go

• Protect your feet with sturdy hiking boots because the ground in many areas of the sanctuary is steep and uneven.
• Get ready for temperature swings in the upper zones and other high-altitude regions by dressing in layers.
• Bring water and dry snacks with you because the sanctuary doesn't have any shops or restrooms.
• Keep the sanctuary clean by not leaving trash or picking plants, as it is a protected ecological zone.
• Visit only during the day, as for safety concerns, admission is prohibited after dark.