At 2,800 m on the road to Ladakh, Sonmarg — the 'Meadow of Gold' — is the last great valley before the mountains turn barren. Glaciers, the roaring Sindh River and alpine lakes make it a highlight in its own right.
Thajiwas Glacier
The star attraction is the Thajiwas Glacier, reachable by a short pony ride or hour-long walk from town. Snow lingers here even in summer, making it a favourite for first-time snow play.
Gateway to the high lakes
Sonmarg is the trailhead for some of Kashmir's most spectacular treks — Vishansar, Krishansar and Gangabal among them — and the starting point of the famous Kashmir Great Lakes route.
On the road to Ladakh
Beyond Sonmarg the highway climbs to Zoji La pass and on to Kargil and Leh. Even if you're not going further, the drive up to the pass viewpoints is dramatic. Note that Sonmarg is largely snowbound and closed in deep winter.
Key Takeaways
- Thajiwas Glacier is an easy half-day from town by pony or on foot.
- Sonmarg is the launchpad for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek.
- The valley is seasonal — accessible roughly April/May to October.
