Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
Set where the Lidder River meets pine-forested slopes in Kashmir's Anantnag district, Pahalgam pairs an easy riverside town with valleys and meadows that spread out in every direction.
Sep 24, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Pahalgam, at around 2,130 metres in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, sits where the Lidder River runs through a valley of pine and deodar forest, and has long served both as a hill station in its own right and as the traditional base camp for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. Here are seven ways to spend time in and around the town.
1. Drive out to Betaab Valley
A short drive from town, this pine-lined valley along the Lidder River takes its current name from the 1983 Bollywood film Betaab, parts of which were shot here; it remains one of the most straightforward scenic drives from Pahalgam, with the river running alongside meadows and forest on both sides.
2. Continue on to Aru Valley
Further up the same road, Aru is a small village and meadow at the edge of the forest, used as a base for treks toward Kolahoi Glacier and Tarsar-Marsar; even without going further, the drive itself, climbing gently through pine forest, is one of the area's most scenic short trips.
3. See Chandanwari, the yatra's starting point
Chandanwari, roughly 16 kilometres from Pahalgam, marks the traditional starting point of the Amarnath Yatra's Pahalgam route, where pilgrims set out on foot toward the Amarnath cave shrine each year; outside the yatra season it is a quieter spot at the edge of glacier-fed streams and snowfields that can linger well into summer.
4. Walk the Lidder riverside in town
Within Pahalgam itself, footbridges and riverside paths follow the Lidder as it splits into two branches around the town, a straightforward, unhurried way to take in the setting without arranging a car or guide, particularly pleasant in the early morning before day-trip traffic picks up.
5. Visit Mamaleshwar Temple
An ancient Shiva temple in Pahalgam town, Mamaleshwar predates much of the area's development as a hill station and remains an active site of worship, offering a quieter, more local counterpoint to the valley's scenic drives.
6. Play a round at one of India's highest golf courses
Pahalgam's golf course, laid out along the valley floor against a backdrop of pine-covered slopes, is among the higher-altitude courses in India and a genuine draw for golfers travelling specifically for the setting rather than the course's technical difficulty.
7. Trek toward Sheshnag Lake
For those with more time and the right fitness and permissions, the trail from Chandanwari toward Sheshnag Lake, a glacial lake along the Amarnath Yatra route, climbs through some of the region's most dramatic high-altitude scenery; this is a serious trek rather than a casual walk and is best arranged with a local guide.
Traveller tips
- Srinagar's airport, roughly 90 minutes by road, is the nearest major gateway to Pahalgam.
- Check current government travel advisories and local conditions for Jammu and Kashmir before finalising a trip, as guidance can change.
- The Amarnath Yatra season, typically June to August, brings large numbers of pilgrims through Pahalgam and Chandanwari; expect heavier traffic and busier accommodation during those months.
- Treks beyond Aru and Chandanwari require fitness, appropriate gear and, in many cases, permits; arrange these through a registered local operator.
Where this is
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir