Kashmir Winter Road Guide
Which roads stay open from December to March, which high passes shut, and how we check the road the night before a snow day.
Which roads stay open from December to March, which high passes shut, and how we check the road the night before a snow day.
Direct answer: Kashmir stays open in winter. The roads a normal holiday uses, the Jammu–Srinagar highway (NH44), Srinagar to Gulmarg, Srinagar to Pahalgam, and Srinagar to Sonamarg through the Sonamarg (Z-Morh) Tunnel, run on most winter days and close for a day or two after heavy snow or slides. The high passes are different: Razdan Pass (Gurez and Tulail), Zojila beyond Sonamarg, the Mughal Road over Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Margan Top (Warwan) and Farkiyan Gali (Keran) shut after snow, and some stay shut for months. The J&K Traffic Police decide each road day by day, so treat anything below as a guide and check on the morning you drive. This page was written on 10 November 2026.
Jammu–Srinagar highway (NH44). For 10 and 11 November 2026 the Traffic Police allowed traffic both ways, subject to weather and road conditions, and asked drivers to travel by day because of shooting stones, landslides and construction between Ramban and Banihal, Kashmir Life reported. In winter, snow or slides can still close it for a day; we check it the night before (see how to reach Kashmir).
Srinagar to Gulmarg. The road to Tangmarg is a main road; the last climb from Tangmarg to Gulmarg is the part that needs anti-skid chains or a Tangmarg union 4x4 after snow, paid on the spot and not part of our fare. Details on Srinagar to Gulmarg by car and Kashmir in December.
Srinagar to Sonamarg. Since the Sonamarg Tunnel opened on 13 January 2025, which the PMO said would keep Sonamarg connected in winter, the town can be reached on most winter days. Light vehicles run both ways on the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri road subject to weather, with a 1 pm cut-off towards Kargil, and drivers are told to carry chains. Zero Point and Zojila beyond it can stay shut. See Sonamarg in winter.
Srinagar to Pahalgam. Open on most days. Inside Pahalgam, Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari are run by the Pahalgam taxi union and depend on snow that day, and Baisaran is closed (see is Baisaran open).
Razdan Pass: Gurez and Tulail. The only road into Gurez. On 9 November 2026 the SDM Gurez advised tourists to leave the valley by 10 November ahead of heavy snow forecast from 11 November, KNS reported. Treat Gurez and Tulail Valley as summer trips.
Mughal Road (Shopian–Poonch). It closes every winter. In winter 2024-25 it shut on 29 December 2024 and reopened on 15 April 2025, one way at first, PTI reported. On 10 November 2026 it was still open in daylight hours, subject to weather.
Sinthan Top (Anantnag–Kishtwar) and Margan Top (Warwan). Snow and ice shut them with little notice; we do not sell a winter Warwan night. See the Sinthan Top guide and Warwan Valley guide.
Farkiyan Gali (Keran) and other border roads. Snow on the pass can cut Keran off in winter, so we check the pass before confirming (see Keran Valley and the permits guide).
Doodhpathri. Closed to tourists since the 4 September 2026 security advisory, and snow is a second problem even after it reopens. See is Doodhpathri closed.
The Traffic Police issue a daily advisory for NH44, the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri road, the Mughal Road and the Sinthan road, and the Traffic Control Unit Srinagar answers on 0194-2450022. The MeT Centre Srinagar forecast tells you when snow is coming: for this week it expected light snow on the higher reaches from 10 November and a stronger spell on 12 and 13 November, with traffic on Zojila, Sadhna Pass, Razdan Pass, the Mughal Road and Sinthan Top likely to be disrupted, The Kashmir Horizon reported. Treat a "road closed" forward on social media as something to verify, not as fact.
Our drivers check the road the evening before and again in the morning. For the season picture, see Kashmir in winter and the Kashmir weather guide.
We build one spare day into every winter plan, keep the long drives to daylight, and swap days instead of pushing a closed road. A private car with a local driver who carries chains is ₹2,500 a day in an Etios or Dzire and ₹3,500 a day in an Innova Crysta; chains or a union 4x4 on a snow stretch are extra and paid on the spot. We take a 20% advance and the balance after you arrive; what happens to your money if snow changes the plan is on winter trip advance and refunds.
Travel Etios Kashmir is a JK Tourism registered agency at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar, rated 5.0★ from 155 Google reviews. For the winter itinerary itself, see our Kashmir winter tour. WhatsApp us your dates and we tell you which roads to plan around.
Yes. Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are reachable on most December days, and the Jammu-Srinagar highway runs subject to weather. Heavy snow can close roads or cancel flights for a day or two, so keep a spare day. Gurez, Warwan and the Mughal Road are not December trips.
Mostly. The Traffic Police open it day by day subject to weather and road conditions, and ask travellers to drive in daylight because of shooting stones and landslides between Ramban and Banihal. After heavy snow or slides it can close for a day.
On most days, yes, since the Sonamarg Tunnel opened on 13 January 2025. The Traffic Police still decide each day, often with cut-off times, and ask drivers to carry anti-skid chains. Zero Point and Zojila beyond Sonamarg can stay shut.
No. The Bandipora-Gurez road over Razdan Pass closes with winter snow. On 9 November 2026 the SDM Gurez asked tourists to leave Gurez by 10 November ahead of heavy snow. Plan Gurez and Tulail for roughly late May or June to October.
After heavy snow at Peer Ki Gali, and it stays shut until spring. In winter 2024-25 it closed on 29 December 2024 and reopened on 15 April 2025, one way at first. Check the Traffic Police advisory before planning it.
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