Real Hiking Near Srinagar: Treks and Permits
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Before you plan any trek out of Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed, security-sensitive region, and the US and UK governments currently advise against travel to J&K, including the trekking areas covered here, following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack (26 killed, mostly tourists) and the India-Pakistan escalation it triggered. Check your government’s current advisory before you book. The other half of the picture: trekking operators here have been running trips, with permits and registered guides required regardless of the security picture. Multi-day treks specifically are not a casual, no-guide undertaking given the terrain and the current context, full stop.
Unlike destinations where “hiking” means a paved loop trail, the terrain around Srinagar is genuine high-altitude trekking country, with real permits and real guides required, not a formality.
The two serious multi-day treks
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: roughly 68km over 6-7 days, Sonamarg to Naranag, crossing Gadsar Pass at about 4,190m. Runs June through September. This needs a permit and a registered trekking operator, not an independent attempt; the route crosses genuinely remote terrain and the security context alone rules out going without a guide.
Tarsar Marsar: roughly 45km over 5-7 days, starting from Aru near Pahalgam, running June through October. Same permit-and-guide requirement as Kashmir Great Lakes; book through a registered operator who handles the paperwork as part of the trip.
Easier day walks (still with real elevation)
Thajiwas Glacier, from Sonamarg: a moderate walk, or a pony ride if you’d rather save your legs, through meadow terrain to the glacier itself, best in late spring and early summer when wildflowers are out.
Betaab and Aru valleys, from Pahalgam: gentler valley walks along the Lidder river system, good for a half-day rather than a full trekking commitment. Verify current access around Pahalgam specifically before you go, given the area’s history.
Gulmarg’s meadow trails: short, unguided walks through alpine meadow once the winter ski infrastructure clears, easy to combine with a gondola day.
What every trek here actually needs
| Trek | Length | Season | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kashmir Great Lakes | ~68km, 6-7 days | Jun-Sep | Permit + registered guide |
| Tarsar Marsar | ~45km, 5-7 days | Jun-Oct | Permit + registered guide |
| Thajiwas Glacier walk | Half-day | Late spring-summer | None, but a local guide helps |
| Betaab/Aru valley walk | Half-day | Summer | Verify current access |
For the meadows and lakes that don’t require a multi-day commitment, our nature spots guide covers those separately. Our day trips guide has current drive times and status for Sonamarg and Pahalgam specifically.
A Kashmir Great Lakes trek booked through a registered operator handles the permit paperwork as part of the package, which is genuinely worth the cost given how much of this depends on documentation you don’t want to sort out solo. Check the current government advisory before you book, and confirm the operator’s registration rather than taking a listing’s word for it. The India e-visa portal is the only official place to apply if that’s still outstanding.
One concrete rule: if an operator offers either multi-day trek without mentioning a permit, that’s a red flag, not a bargain. Walk away and book with someone who handles it properly.