Best family trips in Kashmir

Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Srinagar & Dal Lake lead a list of 11. Places in Kashmir that work with children or parents along.

Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.

1. 1Kashmir · AnantnagPahalgam2,400 m, easy, 3–4 days.Lidder river valley of meadows, pine forest and pony rides — Kashmir's family favourite.Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: Crowded during the Amarnath Yatra (July–August) with heavy security.
2. 2Kashmir · GanderbalSonamarg3,000 m, easy, 2–3 days.The 'meadow of gold' and Thajiwas glacier — snow you can touch even in May.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Sep · Why not: Often done as a rushed day trip from Srinagar; stay a night for the real thing.
3. 3Kashmir · SrinagarSrinagar & Dal Lake1,600 m, easy, 2–3 days.Houseboats, shikaras, Mughal gardens and old-city food.Best months: Apr, May, Sep, Oct · Why not: A city, not the mountains themselves — combine with Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonamarg.
4. 4Kashmir · BaramullaGulmarg3,980 m, easy, 3–4 days.India's ski resort — deep powder, the Gondola to Apharwat, and meadows in summer.Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, May, Jun · Why not: Expensive in peak winter and very crowded around New Year.
5. 5Kashmir · BudgamYusmarg2,600 m, easy, 2–3 days.A bowl of alpine meadow in the Pir Panjal, 47 km from Srinagar, with pine slopes and pony trails.Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: Facilities are minimal and it is often done as a rushed day trip.
6. 6Kashmir · BudgamDoodhpathri2,900 m, easy, 2–3 days.The 'Valley of Milk' — a broad grassy bowl at 2,730 m with a milky-white stream and grazing Gujjar herds.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Narrow, winding access road; nothing to do but walk and sit.
7. 7Kashmir · AnantnagChatpal2,200 m, easy, 2–3 days.A deodar-forest village in the Bringi valley, developed as a community-tourism model village.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very basic stays and little infrastructure.
8. 8Kashmir · BandiporaGurez Valley3,300 m, easy, 4–5 days.A remote Kishanganga valley of log houses beneath the pyramid of Habba Khatoon peak.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Close to the LoC with checkpoint formalities; Razdan Pass closes in winter.
9. 9Kashmir · KupwaraKeran1,700 m, easy, 3–4 days.A riverside border village on the Kishanganga, with India on one bank and Pakistan-administered territory on the other.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Directly on the LoC — access can change with the security situation.
10. 10Kashmir · KupwaraLolab Valley2,000 m, easy, 3–4 days.A green orchard valley of walnut and apple groves, with the Kalaroos caves and the Nag Marg spring.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct · Why not: Far from Srinagar, and facilities are very basic.
11. 11Kashmir · Shopian / Poonch (Mughal Road)Peer Ki Gali3,490 m, easy, 2–3 days.A 3,490 m pass on the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch, with meadows and a Sufi shrine.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct · Why not: The road is closed by snow for much of the year and facilities en route are minimal.