Most of Kashmir's famous offbeat valleys close in winter. Gurez, Tulail, Keran, Warwan and Bangus sit behind high passes that snow shuts, so between roughly November and spring we don't plan them. What stays open is closer to Srinagar: a frozen Drung waterfall near Tangmarg, quiet Pahalgam villages, Sonamarg up to where the road is cleared, Achabal Garden near Anantnag, and Srinagar's own winter corners. On 5 September our reel caught the season's first snow at Kaobal Gali on the Gurez road, a reminder of how early the north starts closing.
Watch it on our Instagram: first snowfall at Kaobal Gali on the Gurez road (5 Sep 2026)
Here's the honest winter list: which offbeat places we'd still take you to between November 2026 and March 2027, which ones to save for summer, and how to check before you go.
Offbeat places in Kashmir in winter: open or closed?
| Place | Winter (Nov to Mar) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gurez and Tulail (Bandipora) | Save for summer | Razdan Pass, the only road in, closes after snowfall |
| Keran (Kupwara) | Save for summer | Farkiyan Gali can be cut off by winter snow |
| Warwan (Kishtwar) | Save for summer | Margan Top is a summer and early autumn crossing |
| Bangus (Kupwara) | Save for summer | High meadows; we plan it for the green months |
| Lolab (Kupwara) | Ask us | Lower forest valley, but a long drive; snow can close roads |
| Yusmarg (Budgam) | Closed to tourists | Shut on 4 September 2026 during a security operation; we've seen no reopening |
| Doodhpathri (Budgam) | Closed | Closed since 4 Sep 2026 (security); owner-confirmed still closed on 9 Nov 2026. See our Doodhpathri update |
| Achabal Garden (Anantnag) | Yes, as a day stop | Mughal garden with Chinars and natural springs; quieter add-on to Nishat/Shalimar/Harwan |
| Drung waterfall, near Tangmarg | Yes | Freezes in the cold weeks; on the Gulmarg road |
| Pahalgam village walks | Yes, in layers | Pahalgam stays reachable; villages are quiet |
| Sonamarg | Yes, as far as the road is open | See our Sonamarg in winter guide |
Gurez in winter: why we stop booking it
Gurez is our most-watched offbeat valley. Our June 2026 Gurez reel passed 2 lakh views. But the only road in is the 85 km Bandipora-Gurez road over Razdan Pass, at about 3,558 m. On 13 October 2026 it was closed after fresh snow and reopened the next day once machines cleared it, Kashmir News Trust and Greater Kashmir reported. By early November, Kashmir Observer reported, early snow on Razdan had already led the authorities to suspend vehicle movement over the pass.
A pass that shuts for days at a time is fine for locals with no choice. For a holiday it means you can get stuck on the wrong side, so we stop selling Gurez when the snow starts and pick it up again when the road is reliably open. Plan it for the warmer months with our Gurez permit and road guide, the Gurez trip for couples and Gurez riverside camping.
Keran, Warwan and Bangus: summer valleys
- Keran, the LoC riverside village our July Keran reel showed, is reached over Farkiyan Gali, and winter snow can cut that pass off. Our Keran valley guide covers the permit and the road for when it reopens.
- Warwan, where we took a group in June (our Warwan group trip reel), is over Margan Top. That's a summer and early autumn crossing, and we don't sell a winter Warwan night. See the Warwan valley guide.
- Bangus and Lolab are quieter Kupwara valleys. Bangus is a high-meadow trip for the green months. Lolab is lower and forested; if you're set on it in winter, message us for the road that week. The Lolab and Bangus guide has the details.
Offbeat places that work in winter
Drung waterfall, near Tangmarg
On the way to Gulmarg, Drung freezes in the coldest weeks. In January 2026 it froze into sheets of ice and icicles and became a regular photo stop for cars heading up to Gulmarg, Kashmir News Trust reported. It's the easiest winter offbeat stop because it sits on a road we're already driving. How frozen it is depends on the cold that week, so don't promise it to your kids for November.
Pahalgam's villages
Pahalgam is busy in summer, but the village lanes we walked in our Pahalgam village walk post are quiet in winter. Dress for sub-zero mornings: on 25 October 2026 Pahalgam had already recorded -0.3°C. Note that Baisaran is closed, so don't plan it.
Sonamarg, as far as it's cleared
Sonamarg gets heavy snow and fewer tourists than Gulmarg. How far you can go depends on the road that day. Our Sonamarg in winter guide explains what to expect.
Srinagar's winter corners
The quietest offbeat winter is often in the city: an early shikara on a misty Dal (Dal Lake in winter), harissa for breakfast in the old city, and this year the new Christmas Garden at the Botanical Garden, which we filmed in our 27 October reel.
Achabal Garden: an offbeat Mughal stop near Anantnag
If you want a quieter garden day than Nishat or Shalimar, Achabal Garden in Anantnag is a solid winter add-on: a Mughal garden with Chinar trees and natural springs. It sits south of Srinagar on the Anantnag side, so it pairs well with a Pahalgam day or a south Kashmir drive when the weather is clear. Our 9 November reel walks the garden paths.
Watch it on our Instagram: Achabal Garden, Anantnag: Chinars, springs and a quieter Mughal garden (9 Nov 2026)
In deep snow weeks, check the road the same morning. Harwan and the main Dal gardens stay easier if you want to stay close to the city.
What about Doodhpathri and Yusmarg?
Both are Budgam meadows that people search for as offbeat winter snow spots. Yusmarg was shut to tourists on 4 September 2026 during a security operation, Kashmir Observer reported, and we have found no reopening order. Doodhpathri is also closed since that same 4 September advisory; our owner confirmed it was still closed on 9 November 2026. Full timeline: is Doodhpathri closed?
How we'd plan an offbeat winter trip
- Keep Srinagar as your base and do offbeat places as day trips, not new night stops.
- Check the road on the morning of the trip, not the week before.
- Keep one buffer day in case snow closes a road.
- Pick a car with snow chains, and a 4x4 where the authorities require it.
FAQ
Is Gurez open in winter?
Not for a holiday. Razdan Pass, the only road in, closes after snowfall and stays unreliable until spring. Plan Gurez for summer.
Which offbeat places near Srinagar can I visit in winter?
Drung waterfall on the Gulmarg road, Pahalgam's villages, Sonamarg as far as the road is open, Achabal Garden near Anantnag, and quiet corners of Srinagar itself. Doodhpathri is closed as of November 2026; ask us before adding it.
Is Keran open in winter?
Winter snow can cut off Farkiyan Gali, the pass on the way. We plan Keran for the warmer months.
Plan your winter trip with us
Tell us your dates and we'll tell you honestly which offbeat places are realistic that week. See our Kashmir winter packages, or WhatsApp +91 70060 85655, call +91 70060 85655 or +91 95960 44418, or email enquiry@traveletioskashmir.com. Travel Etios Kashmir, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar, 5.0★ from 155 Google reviews.
