Coming from a tiny hamlet of Jammu & Kashmir, I've always felt enchanted by the views that surrounded me. It's only when I started travelling, I realised that my state has so much more to offer!
Here are 5 gorgeous passes that you must add to your travel bucketlist, and make sure to tick them off when you visit Jammu & Kashmir.
1. Pir ki Gali
The Pir Panjal Pass, also known as 'the heart of the Mughal road', lies at an altitude of 11,300 ft above sea level and connects the valley of Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch Distt of Jammu. In medieval times, this scenic route was used by Mughal Emperors to reach the valley from Delhi.
The green meadows and pristine mountains dotted with glaciers giving birth to umpteen streams flowing through these meadows make this undoubtedly one of the most scenic routes in J&K. The road on the Kashmir side is well built and is connected to several tourist attractions like Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Ziarat of Peer Baba, several waterfalls and the Dubjan bridge.
2. Sinthan Pass
Another lesser-known tourist attraction is the Sinthan top located between Breng Valley of Kashmir and Kishtwar in Jammu. It lies at the height of 12,500 ft above sea level. This pass remains covered in a white blanket of snow throughout the year and that makes it more alluring for tourists. It’s 130km from Srinagar and crosses the breathtaking Daksum Forest Range with gorgeous pine forests and lofty mountains along the way.
Daksum is surrounded by dense forests with the Bringhi river flowing right through the center. During your journey, you will pass through beautiful landscapes, meet singing shepherds, and let the chills touch your senses.
3. Margan Pass
Margan valley connects the wonderland of Warwan in Kishtwar with the main Kashmir valley (Anantnag district) and sits at an elevation of 12,125 ft above sea level. The valley of Margan is an alpine zone with lush green meadows and rich biodiversity. The pass harbours beautiful flowers, lush green forests, breathtaking alpine lakes, and snow-clad mountains. In short, it can perfectly fit into every nature lover’s dream.
In the midst of Margan valley flows a stream (Honarkash Nallah), which further adds to its beauty. Margan Top has become pretty famous amongst trekkers as the route to Chohernag begins here. From Srinagar, it's a 6 hours drive to reach Margan Valley, crossing this pass.
4. Razdaan Pass
This postcard-perfect route comes on the way to Gurez valley - an ethereal example of natural beauty. Between Bandipora and Gurez, this pass is located at an elevation of 11,672 ft. The terrain here will offer your picturesque views of winding roads, coniferous forests, and emerald meadows bringing you close to the pass.
This route is now strategically very important and was once an integral part of the Silk Road between Kashmir and central India. At present, it connects dozens of villages near the LOC (Tulail among them is one such place, which is also a great offbeat location to explore).
5. Daggan Pass
Daggan Top is situated between the Ramban and Reasi Districts of the Jammu Division, at an altitude of 8340 ft above sea level, and offers a panoramic view of the Gool Valley. The pass offers an excellent opportunity for adventure tourism like paragliding and skiing, and it's well-linked to places like Aramkund and Margi.
This area is lesser known among tourists and hence presents a perfect opportunity to explore the unexplored. In summer, a cool breeze is continuously swirling around the area and in monsoon, this becomes the landing site for the clouds. This pass is only one of the few passes which remain open in the winter as well and provides an opportunity to drive between the huge snow walls on the side of roads.
All these passes provide a perfect gateway from Srinagar and other crowded tourist places. So if you're in the mood to experience the bliss of nature and soak in the serenity, start planning your trip!
Think we missed out on something? Tell us about it in the comments below. Or write about it here on Tripoto .