Kashmir travels best as a hub-and-spoke: base in Srinagar and drive out to a different valley each day. The distances aren't huge, but the roads climb and the scenery does the rest — every drive out of the city ends somewhere that looks unreal. Here's how the circuit runs.
Srinagar sits at the centre of it all, which makes it the natural base — Dal Lake and the old city to come back to, and day-drives radiating out to the meadows and mountains. From here the three classic spokes are Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg, each a different flavour of the valley.
The road to Gulmarg climbs to the high meadow; Pahalgam follows the Lidder through pine and pasture; Sonmarg heads toward the glaciers and the high passes beyond. These are mountain roads — scenic, winding, occasionally slow with weather or traffic in season — so they reward early starts and an unhurried pace rather than a packed schedule.
In summer the drives are green and gentle; in winter, snow makes Gulmarg a destination in itself and can affect the higher roads. Spring brings blossom and tulips, autumn the gold. Whenever you go, weather can change a plan on the day, so build in flexibility.
As with any trip to a sensitive region, check current local advisories close to your dates and travel with people who know the ground and the roads. This isn't cause for alarm — it's the same ordinary preparation any good mountain trip deserves — and it's exactly the kind of thing a supported trip takes off your hands.
One base, several unforgettable drives. Travel the Kashmir circuit with GoRaahi, with the routes, the timing and the local knowledge handled — so your only job is the view.
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