Known For : Gulmarg Gondola Alpather Lake Apharwat Peak
Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is surrounded by snow-covered mountains, lush green meadows, deep ravines and is an evergreen forested hill station in Jammu and Kashmir.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Dal Lake Shankaracharya Temple Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Famously known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Srinagar is every bit the epitome of paradise on earth. As picturesque as the most stunning painting to ever be painted, Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, lies on the banks of the Jhelum river, and has a cool, pleasant climate all year round, contributing to the perpetual influx of tourists visiting this city which offers a plethora of gorgeous scenic vistas.
Best Time: April to October
Known For : Thajiwas Glacier Baltal Valley Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Sonamarg is a town with snow-covered flower-laden fields, surrounded by majestic glaciers and serene lakes which casts subtle spells on the visitors. Bounded by natural beauty, breathtaking glaciers and serene lakes the place is a popular hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. Nilagrad, a colony of the Baltics, is a picturesque location that one can always visit. Sonamarg is the home of many beautiful and serene lakes.
Best Time: May to October
Known For : Pangong Lake Zanskar Valley Khardung La
A land like no other with superabundance of attractions to visit and phantasmagoric and fabulous landscapes, amazing people and culture, Ladakh is truly a heaven on Earth.
Best Time: April - Mid-July
Known For : Nathatop Skiing in Patnitop Naag Mandir
With endless meadows and panoramic views of the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas, Patnitop is a perfect place to experience nature at its picturesque best and widest.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Aru Valley Chandanwari Baisaran
With untouched and gorgeous natural beauty, Pahalgam is a feast to the eyes and senses. Submerged in lush greenery and alluring Himalayan ranges, it calls for some moments of requiescence at nature's own home.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Paragliding Wilderness Adventure Camps(WAC) Naag Mandir
One of the lesser known hill stations in Jammu-Kashmir region, Sanasar is an adventure enthusiasts' haven offering various activities such as paragliding, rock climbing, abseiling and trekking.
Best Time: April to June
Known For : Diskit Monastery Hunder Village Panamik Hot Springs
This masterpiece of God's own creation lies on the Silk route, in the paradisiacal of Jammu and Kashmir at a distance of around 140 Km from Leh. The valley is embellished with Shyok and Nubra river snaking through it and some beautiful monasteries colored with rich shades of golden, red and others.
Best Time: June to September
Known For : Aharbal Waterfall Tarsar and Marsar Lake Kungwattan
Pulwama, a small town in Srinagar district, is famous for its apple orchards, waterfalls, natural springs and scenic valleys. It is a stunning hill station in Jammu and Kashmir.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Raghunath Temple, Jammu Vaishno Devi Ranbireshwar Temple
Be it the multi-hued flags representing the temples and shrines in the city, the tantalizing aromas that lift and diffuse from its spectacular cuisine. Even the snow-capped mountains promise adventure and action in this hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. It is known as the 'City of Temples' and has something to offer to everyone.
Best Time: September to March
Known For : Vaishno Devi Mandir Ardhkuwari
Located in Trikuta hills, 13 km from Katra at the height of 1560 m above sea level with bright clouds and thinning air, this town is the holy cave temple of Mata Vaishnodevi, with spirituality and vibrancy lingering in the atmosphere.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : MoonLand Lamayuru Monastery Uleytokpo
Lamayuru is a small hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated midway between Kargil and Leh on NH1-D also known as the Srinagar- Leh Highway. It is situated 100 km ahead of Leh, after Fotu La- the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Known as the 'place of freedom' and housing the oldest and one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh region, Lamayuru is the place to visit for all those seeking peace and tranquillity. Lamayuru is immensely famous for a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located nearby. However, its claim to fame is accredited to the surreal breathtaking view of moonlike landscapes carved into the mountains. A large lake long ago dried up and the protrusions looked like the surface of the moon. Tourists from various places visit this relatively serene destination to immerse in this scenic beauty.
Best Time: April to June
Known For : Hemis National Park Hemis Monastery Gotsang Gompa
With beautiful paintings and peaceful serenity, Hemis envelops you in its calmness while the landscape adds to its landscape. Hemi is a quaint little hill station in Jammu and Kashmir perfect for a cosy getaway in solitude.
Best Time: April to June
Khilanmarg is miniature valley set at a 6 km walk and 2000 feet above one of the most sought after tourist destinations in J&K - Gulmarg.
Known For : Amarnath Yatra Amarnath Cave Sonamarg
Set at an altitude of 2743 m, Baltal suffices as a halt destination just about perfectly for all the religious Amarnath Cave pilgrims. At a distance of 14 kms from Amarnath, this place serves as the base camp for devotees with adequate arrangements of pitch tents to spend the night.
Best Time: May to September
Known For : Amarnath Cave Amarnath Yatra Baltal
Amarnath is one of the most important pilgrimage in India for the worshippers of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave is haven to an enshrined image of ice called the Shivaling formed naturally, which resembles Lord Shiva.
Best Time: May - July
Which of these hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir do you plan to visit? Let us know in the comments below!