Kashmir has so much more than Gulmarg and Dal Lake. We all know about these well-known places, but the actual magic of Kashmir happens in its offbeat destinations. Away from the usual tourist destinations, there are some hidden places in Kashmir where you can see heaven in its real beauty.
Looking for off-beat places to visit in Kashmir? Think of walking through apple orchards unseen by travelers or finding a lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Such off-the-beaten-path sites are a welcome relief from the pushing of tourists.
If you've ever wondered about things to do in Kashmir, these hidden places present new options. You can sleep under star-filled skies, get to know the local shepherds, or harvest saffron in fields that aren't even in mainstream guidebooks.
Interested in checking out these gems? Our Kashmir Tour Packages offer these lesser-explored areas, giving you a glimpse of Kashmir few travelers get to see.
Bangus Valley in Kupwara district gives tourists access to Kashmir's most stunning offbeat destination. Nature lovers will find paradise in the scenic valley surrounded by forests and snow-covered mountains. The surroundings of Bangus Valley ensure ideal conditions for trekking combined with camping and photography across the terrain. Boad Bangus and Lokut Bangus constitute two different divisions that lie within the valley as equally captivating, making it one of the best Hidden places in Kashmir.
- Things to do: Trekking, camping, photography.
- Best time to explore offbeat destinations in Kashmir: May to September.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is in Srinagar, from where you can hire a cab to Kupwara and further to Bangus Valley.
Suggested Read: Bhimgarh Fort, Kashmir
There is a secret paradise in Gurez Valley, which lies near the Line of Control (LoC). The Dard-Shina tribe has a rich culture among the inhabitants of this valley region. The valley looks even more charming as the Kishanganga River passes through it. Gurez has a bewitching landscape made up of wooden houses with roofs sloping from one end and grand mountains and high-altitude meadows. Gurez Valley gets disconnected from the outside world as heavy snowfall covers its way toward the world in winter.
- Things to do: Nature walks, interacting with locals, exploring wooden houses.
- Best time to explore offbeat destinations in Kashmir: June to September.
- How to reach: Drive from Srinagar (123 km), taking around 6 hours via Razdan Pass.
Doodhpathri is a "Valley of Milk" that offers tourists its scenic landscapes with flowing river valleys between pine forest-covered mountain pastures. It is located around 42 km from Srinagar and is still relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourists. The area gets its name from the streams that have milk-white water. An amazing fairy tale atmosphere occurs in the valley in winter because it gets fully covered with snow.
- Things to do: Horse riding, picnicking, enjoying scenic beauty.
- Best time to visit: May to October.
- How to reach: Drive from Srinagar (42 km), which takes about 2 hours.
Lolab Valley is one of the best offbeat destinations in Kashmir, which has been named after Maharaja LOLO and is known for its stunning green grasslands and trees. It is 25 kilometers long from north to south and has widths varying from a few yards to 5 kilometers. A small brook called Lalkul flows through it (Lahwal). Several streams feed into Lalkul from the adjacent hills, heavily covered in Deodar woodlands, and the valley averages a depth of 7 to 15 feet and is also peculiar among them. It is also renowned for the Sat Barran (Seven Doors) as well as for a cave inside Madmadav's forests.
Anderbaugh village is the residence of the famous Lov-mag. The Lolab Valley, besides its natural scenic beauty, holds historical importance because Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri was born in Varnow village, which is a small hamlet in the area. The Lolab Valley is now well-infrastructure-developed and is well-linked with the rest of the region.
- Things to do: Trekking, exploring caves, visiting apple orchards.
- Best time to explore these Offbeat places to visit in Kashmir: April to October.
- How to reach: Kupwara is 114 km from Srinagar, accessible by road.
Suggested Read: Kashmir Travel Guide
Aharbal Waterfall is the "Niagara Falls of Kashmir" at a distance of around 75 km from Srinagar. Since tourists do not give much importance to this place, Aharbal is a great place for anyone looking for peace. At a height of around 25 meters above the river level, the Vishav River flows its waters over a stunning drop. The pine forest surrounding this secluded spot adds to its interesting beauty.
- Things to do: Photography, trekking, relaxing by the waterfall.
- Best time to visit: April to October.
- How to reach: Drive from Srinagar (75 km), taking about 3 hours.
6. Tarsar and Marsar Lakes
Tarsar and Marsar Lakes stand as Scenic Unexplored Places In Kashmir tourists want to see. The alpine lakes require trekking since they exist at an elevated height above sea level. People need to begin their trip to the lakes at Aru Valley near Pahalgam while traveling down the meadows and clean pine groves shared with delicate waterways. The combination between the mountain reflections and blue lake waters produces a beautiful image.
- Things to do: Trekking, camping, stargazing.
- Best time to explore these Offbeat places to visit in Kashmir: July to September.
- How to reach: The trek starts from Aru Valley, which is 12 km from Pahalgam.
Chatpal is a tiny, lovely village situated in the district of Anantnag. This off-the-beaten-path spot in Kashmir is ideal for escaping to nature. With Its meadows, its rushing streams, and its local Kashmiri architecture, Chatpal provides an ideal retreat from city sounds. Different from other sites, Chatpal is untouched by commercialization and thus is amongst the best of the Kashmir hidden places.
- Things to do: Nature walks, exploring local culture.
- Best time to visit: May to September.
- How to reach: Drive from Srinagar (85 km), taking about 3 hours.
Watlab is an off-beat destination a short distance away from Wular Lake, a lake that falls into the largest group of lakes in Asia's freshwater category. It provides eye-catching scenery around the lake and is a nice destination for viewing birds. Another important shrine present there is dedicated to Baba Shukurddin. Whether you are looking for loneliness or solitude, Watlab remains the perfect hideout.
- Things to do: Birdwatching, visiting Watlab Shrine, exploring Wular Lake, and enjoying nature walks.
- Best time to visit: April to October for pleasant weather and clear views.
- How to reach: Watlab is around 75 km from Srinagar and can be reached by road via Sopore.
Suggested Read: Backpacking Trip to Kashmir
Karnah is a hidden places in Kashmir, located near the Pakistan border, which is among the most scenic unexplored places in Kashmir. Locals extend a warm welcome to the visitors in this hidden valley which displays historical forts and wonderful views along with its stunning landscapes. Unspoiled natural beauty characterizes this area that exhibits authentic fields along with historic homes constructed using wood and remnants of ancient cultural sites. Karnah is not often visited by tourists as it is located in a remote location.
- Things to do: Trekking, exploring local villages, visiting historical forts, and photography.
- Best time to visit: May to September for green landscapes; winter for snowfall lovers.
- How to reach: Karnah can be reached via road from Srinagar (190 km), passing through Kupwara.
Sinthan Top is another lesser-traversed mountain pass that links Kashmir to Jammu. It's at an elevation of 12,500 feet and provides breathtaking scenery of the surrounding valleys and white-capped mountains. The trip to Sinthan Top itself is a trip of adventure on twisted roads through beautiful landscapes. It's perfect for those who love adventure and nature.
- Things to do: Trekking, camping, enjoying scenic views, and photography.
- Best time to visit: May to October when the road is accessible.
- How to reach: It is about 130 km from Srinagar, accessible by road via Anantnag.
Breng Valley is Kashmir's best worthwhile place that provides stunning natural scenery along with an unspoiled quiet environment.
Enter the core of last tourism where you can get snow peaks and freshwater springs, a wide huge area of meadows, infinite pine forests and herbal jungles with medicinal plants, Rhododendrons, lakes and Mughal gardens, historical places, religious sites and three major trekking paths heading to Ladakh, Kishtwar, and Marwah-Wadwan.
Bringi River starts from Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Famber, and Mawar Glaciers and goes on to deliver its vital services to Breng Valley inhabitants depend on it for water supplies and irrigation of agriculture and grain milling.
- Things to Do: Trek through pine forests, enjoy scenic beauty, and camp under the stars.
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- How to Reach: Drive from Srinagar to Anantnag, then continue towards Breng Valley.
Warwan Valley is sustained by Jammu and Kashmir's rugged hill area as well as Kashmir Valley's thick tracts. There is only this place where greatness blended with fantastic energy can be found.
You will go through several untouched kilometers of the most scenic and inaccessible areas of Kashmir on this route. The trek takes more than twenty kilometers, covering glaciers, moraines, and slim ridges. Adventurous people can take this trek as a way of making their Kashmir trip exciting while passing discoveries of the clean wilderness to travel with friends.
The entire 100-kilometer Warwan Valley trek is made up of strenuous nine-day trekking. The trek's tough trails appear to be the predominant but the phenomenal rewards stretch into an outstanding trekking experience across Kashmir.
- Things to Do: Adventure trekking, exploring traditional villages, and enjoying breathtaking mountain views.
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- How to Reach: Drive from Srinagar to Anantnag, then take a local taxi to Warwan Valley.
At an altitude of 2,438 meters above sea level, the unexplored destination of Daksum in Kashmir serves as a wonderful picnic area that resides about 40 kilometers southeast of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir.
Daksum attracts hikers via its collection of coniferous trees and streaming waterways as well as concealed grassy fields that flow from the rushing Bringhi River.
Trekking enthusiasts will find absolute pleasure in Daksum due to its combination of evergreen forests, bubbling streams, and solitary meadows which are accompanied by Bringhi river sounds and sporadic views of shepherds caring for their sheep.
- Things to Do: Visit trout fish farms, trek through forests, and enjoy a peaceful picnic.
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Reach: A scenic drive from Srinagar via Anantnag to Daksum.
Why Visit These Hidden Places?
Visiting these hidden places in Kashmir allows travelers to experience the region's untouched beauty. Away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots, these locations offer peace, adventure, and a chance to connect with nature. From stunning valleys to mesmerizing lakes and waterfalls, these hidden places in Kashmir provide something for every traveler.
Kashmir has more than meets the eye for Srinagar and Gulmarg. Kashmir's beauty can be experienced by its untrodden corners. These off-beat destinations give a good balance of adventure, tranquility, and picturesque landscape. No matter if you're an adventurer, nature admirer, or person seeking isolation, these hidden travel spots will have you enchanted.
If you are going on a trip to Kashmir, do ensure that you visit these less-known wonders and live the actual beauty of this heaven on earth.
