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Trekking is one of the best ways to explore Pahalgam. Beyond the popular Aru and Betaab Valley, Pahalgam houses a variety of offbeat and hidden gems that can only be explored via trekking expeditions through the rugged terrains and lush green meadows. The best part of Pahalgam trekking is that these trekking routes cater to both beginners and seasoned trekkers. With so many remarkable trekking routes around Pahalgam, planning for the treks is one of the best ways to execute these adventures.
10 Pahalgam Trekking Routes To Explore
Ideal for nature enthusiasts and adventurers, the varying Pahalgam trekking routes enable you to explore the innate beauty of Kashmir, in the truest and rawest form.
1. Tulian Lake Trek
Photo: Raqueeb Mir / Wikimedia Commons
The Tulian Lake trek is one of the most popular trekking trips in Pahalgam, one that takes you through the dense forests and lush green meadows. It is a moderately challenging trek with a duration spanning five days. Your trekking journey starts from Pahalgam and takes you to the stunning Tulian Lake, located at an elevation of 3,684 metres above sea level. Along the way, you get to witness views of the Kolahoi and Zanskar ranges, which are bound to leave you in awe.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Pahalgam
2. Kolahoi Glacier Trek
Photo: Irfanaru / Wikimedia Commons
Up next on the list of routes for trekking in Pahalgam, Kashmir is the Kolahoi Glacier trek. It is often referred to as the ‘Goddess of Light’ glacier and most people define this trek as life-changing. The endpoint of the trek is the Kolahoi Glacier, which is the perennial source of water for the Jhelum and Lidder rivers. The trek starts from Aru Valley, which you have to reach via Pahalgam. As you ascend, you’ll reach the Kolahoi Glacier, located at an altitude of 3,500 metres.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
3. Tarsar Marsar Trek
Photo: Riteshmishera951150 / Wikimedia Commons
Among the most popular treks around Pahalgam, the Tarsar Marsar Trek happens to be one of the best. The journey takes you to the twin alpine lakes located at an elevation of 3,800 metres. Usually, the trek starts from Aru Valley, located a short drive from Pahalgam in India. It is a seven-day trek where you start from Aru Valley, reach Lidderwat, and then travel to Shekwas. From there, the first big stop is at Tarsar Lake, then make your way to Marsar Lake and then descend to Homwas and back to Aru Valley.
Best Time To Visit: July to September
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Gulmarg
4. Kanimarg Trek
Photo: Wan Salahuddin Wan Ismail / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
More than a trekking experience, Kanimarg Trek is a short hiking experience around Pahalgam. It is one of the less explored routes that not many tourists are aware of. Like most of the other treks around Pahalgam, even this one starts at Aru and takes you to the beautiful and less-explored meadow of Kanimarg. Once you reach the meadow, the surrounding panoramic views of the valleys and peaks are the highlight. The calm and serene surroundings make for a perfect trekking experience away from the bustle of city life.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
5. Lidderwat Trek
Photo: Mike Prince / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most popular treks around Pahalgam is the Lidderwat trek. This delightful trekking journey takes you through the heart of Pahalgam’s wilderness. The trek covers a distance of 17.7 km and is a fairly challenging trek to embark on. However, the beauty of getting to trek through the dense pine forests and maple trees to finally reach the Lidderwat Pass is an experience that you can’t trade for another. Along the trek, you will encounter the local Gujjar and Bakarwal communities and an opportunity to interact with them as well.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Suggested Read: Kashmir Temples
6. Sheshnag Lake Trek
Photo: Photos Worldwide / Wikimedia Commons
The Sheshnag Lake trek is a captivating trekking journey that takes you to one of the most alluring spots around Pahalgam. Trekking to one of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the Pahalgam region, the journey starts from Chandanwari and winds through rocky terrains and dense forests to finally reach Sheshnag Lake. This is a moderately challenging trek, holding a lot of significance according to Hindu mythology, further clarifying its importance.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
7. Amarnath Cave Trek
Photo: Harsh Chauhan / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Amarnath Cave trek is a pilgrimage trek that attracts thousands of devotees and adventure seekers every year. There are two routes for this trek, one via Pahalgam and the other via Baltal. If you don’t mind traversing the long distance, the Pahalgam route is the easiest of the two. The trek starts from Pahalgam and takes you to the sacred Amarnath Cave, situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres. Once you reach the cave temple, the main attraction lies in the ice lingam inside the cave.
Best Time To Visit: June to August
Suggested Read: Museums In Jammu And Kashmir
8. Baisaran Meadows Trek
Photo: Srinu Maripi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Among the easy yet less explored trekking routes, the Baisaran Meadows trek is one that you wouldn’t regret exploring. It features an 8.4 km loop trail through Pahalgam and is usually considered a challenging trekking expedition. If you are someone who loves exploring offbeat trails and trekking routes, planning your journey around this trek would be a great idea. You can also indulge in hiking, bird watching and snowshoeing along this particular route, further adding to its significance. On the way, you might encounter a variety of native wildlife too.
Best TimeTo Visit: June to September
9. Aru Valley To Katrinag Valley Trek
Photo: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons
The Aru Valley to Katrinag Valley trek is a hidden gem in the Pahalgam region that enables you to explore a mix of adventure and natural wonders. Like the name suggests, the trek starts from Aru Valley and winds through scenic valleys, green meadows and lush greenery. While it is a fairly easy to moderate hiking and trekking expedition, the view of the Katrinag Valley is what makes everything worth the time in the end. Once you reach the valley, relax, unwind and soak in the surrounding views.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Suggested Read: Trekking In Kashmir
10. Pahalgam To Panikhar Trek
Photo: Narender9 / Wikimedia Commons
Last, on the list of trekking experiences around Pahalgam, consider exploring the trek to Panikhar. It is a challenging trek that’s usually considered ideal for seasoned trekkers. You start from Pahalgam, trek into Suru Valley and finally into Zanskar. On the first two days, you follow the same route that you would follow for the Amarnath Yatra. On the third day onwards, you cross through the Guloi Gali pass. From there, you trek to Chalong Glacier and continue on the way towards Panikhar from there.
Best Time To Visit: June to August
There are several routes for Pahalgam trekking. While a few start from Pahalgam, some of them start from the adjacent areas. Nevertheless, if you are an adventure enthusiast who loves exploring nature in its truest form, trekking through Pahalgam is one of the best decisions you can take. To plan your next Kashmir trip, secure all your bookings with TripXL at the best market price and with elaborated details.
Cover Photo: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons
