Gulmarg Meadow

Gulmarg Meadow is a vast alpine meadow in Gulmarg town, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, situated at about 2,650 metres in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. Known as the Meadow of Flowers, it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests. The meadow is notable for its seasonal transformation, lush and flower-covered in summer and snow-covered in winter, and for the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world.

Visitors can expect a wide, open grassy bowl surrounded by forested slopes and snow-capped peaks including Apharwat Peak. In summer the meadow is green with wildflowers and grazing ponies, with walking paths, horse-riding tracks and the Gulmarg Golf Course. In winter it is covered in deep snow used for skiing and snowboarding. The Gulmarg Gondola station is located at the meadow edge, providing access to higher viewpoints. The area has small food stalls, pony operators and views of the Pir Panjal range.

The meadow was originally known as Gaurimarg, named after Goddess Gauri. It was renamed Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers) in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah Chak who was attracted by its wildflowers. During the British colonial period it was developed as a hill resort and later as a ski destination, with the establishment of the Gulmarg Golf Course in 1911.

Gulmarg Meadow is culturally known as the Meadow of Flowers and is a central part of Kashmir's hill tourism identity. It is associated with seasonal pastoral use, flower viewing in summer and winter sports culture, and is a prominent location for leisure and recreation in the Kashmir Valley.