Beyond Gulmarg and Srinagar, the Beauty of Kashmir is Waiting to be Explored

Whenever we think about travelling in Kashmir, more often than not, it is either the snowy slopes of Gulmarg, the verdant meadows of Pahalgam or the beautiful Dal Lake of Srinagar that comes to mind. Beyond this Kashmir lies virtually unexplored for the average Indian traveller.

Doodhpathri

But few know of the “Valley of Milk” Doodhpathri, located less than 2 hours from Srinagar. Nestled between the Pir Pinjal range, this alpine valley surrounded by forests of pine, deodar and fir comes alive in spring, through summer. As per news reports, recently the Tourism department of the J&K Government conducted a three-day tourism festival at the Doodhpathri Tourist Resort.

The festival conducted from 6th to 8th March, was aimed at promoting the Doodhpathri valley as a tourism destination for the upcoming spring – summer tourist season. The valley and the meadows come alive in summers when shepherds from across the Kashmir valley travel to Doodhpathri for grazing their livestock. The valley is so named since the water flowing through the valley appears milky from a distance.

Already a preferred picnic destination for the locals, the aim is to bring this valley on the tourist radar as well. A day trip from Srinagar is the best way to visit the valley, since all other tourist facilities have not yet been developed.

What to Do at Doodhpathri?

1. Camping: The place has several camping spots where you can pitch your tent under the stars.

2. Trekking: Trekking trails abound in the valley covered with coniferous forests and lush green meadows with streams gurgling within. Sounds idyllic, right?

3. Tangnar: A small valley located two kms before Doodhpathri, this is a great place for a stopover.

4. Mujpathri: This Valley of Turnips is a small hamlet, about three kms from Doodhpathri.

5. Palmaidan: The meadow is a favourite among shepherd boys for grazing their livestock, and located about five kms from Doodhpathri.