Kashmir Digits

With the New Year people around the valley and outside will be gearing up to visit the beautiful and scenic places in Kashmir.

Forget your run of the mill trip to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg, its time you explored Kashmir more with places that will leave you in wonderment.

Kashmir Digits takes a look at 10 offbeat places you must visit in Kashmir in the year 2022.

1) Chatpal:

One of the first places that you should note down on your tour diary is Chatpal. Lying in the Anantnag district of the state, this place gives meaning to the phrase “hidden gem”. Touted by visitors as ‘mini Pahalgam’, Chatpal offers a throwback to the tourist spots decades ago. A time when these places were largely untouched by people from outside.

People visiting the place have described the environment as surreal. The offbeat nature of this largely unexplored area offers an experience like no other and makes it a must-visit.

2) Warwan:

If you are looking for an exquisite place to explore Kashmir’s charm and quench your thirst for adventure, Warwan valley is your stop. The place offers solitude and a sense of calmness not often found in the go-to tourist spots.

Trekkers who have been there describe it as a trekkers paradise and equate it with the world’s best experiences when it comes to trekking. Essentially, this puts it at the very top of must-visit places while you are in the valley or live here for good.

3) Watlab:

Falling on the Sopore – Bandipore road and at an easy distance of about 55 km from Srinagar is Watlab. A remarkable destination even among the list of lesser-known tourist places of Kashmir. Watlab is known for its hilltop shrine of Baba Shukurddin.

A forest rest house located in the thick of an abundant jungle provides a raw experience unlike any other. This coupled with the surrounding apple orchids is sure to get you your best value from a visit to this highly unexplored part of the valley.

4) Alpather Lake:

This is one place right out from the fairytales. Alpather Lake is also known as “Frozen Lake” as the lake stays frozen from November until mid-June.

This high altitude lake is situated at the foot of the Apharwat peaks and to reach this lake you need to start trekking from Gulmarg.

The lake is set amidst surreal surroundings, green meadows, blooming wildflowers during spring and summertime, and the ethereal blue water of the lake will surely take your heart away.

5) Nilnag Lake

Nilnag Lake is a high-altitude lake which is located near Yusmarg Valley and is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Kashmir.

The lake has stunning blue water, picturesque pine trees and snow-capped mountain vistas. You can even hike through the forests near the Nilnag lake which leads you to some beautiful never-seen-before spots.

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6) Breng Valley

Breng is located in Anantnag and is known as the golden crown of Kashmir.

Named after Bringi River (a tributary of Jhelum), it bears an awesome natural landscape with tranquil and enchanting environment and is one of the most magnificent and picturesque tourist destinations in Kashmir.

It has many water lakes, Mughal gardens, historic and religious places, archeological sites to visit.

7) Karnah:

Often overlooked Karnah valley of Kupwara district features on this list.

A small, beautiful valley with dense meadows and mountains rising and falling, this place is more often than not skipped when people visit the famous Lolab valley.

A place of joy for history lovers and people with such taste. One can go trekking and explore even more of this raw tourist destination, which offers a serene and blissful time.

8) Daksum

Daksum valley is located in Bhringi River which is ahead of the Mughal Gardens of Achabal.

Coniferous forests; hidden grassy meadows and snowy mountains are never monotonous. Every mile in Daksum Valley reveals its exquisite beauty.

It is a perfect place for camping and trekking. The path that leads to the Simthan Pass is decked with exquisite beauty. It’s a combination of thrill and serenity in itself.

9) Tulian Lake

Located at Pahalgam, in the Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir is Tulian Lake which lies at an altitude of 3,684mts and is one of the best offbeat places in Kashmir.

The lake is located between two Himalayan mountain ranges of Pir Panjal and Zanskar which makes it really unique.

The trek there is gruelling but can be done by beginners and the trek route goes through Kashmir Valley and Baisaran.  The colour of the water is turquoise blue makes the views really surreal.

10) Brenwar.

Brenwar might well be the least explored or unknown places of beauty in Kashmir.

Located a few kms from Chadora, Budgam this is a cut from the rest and a serene, calm place. By just arriving there you will feel your senses relaxed and fresh.

There is no hard trek up to this place as you can even drive straight into the valley.

The place is a throw back to the actual rawness of Kashmir’s beauty and is a must visit for anyone seeking solace and time away from the rush of the life.

(Featured image design: Faizan Wani)