When people travel to Kashmir, they usually plan it for Srinagar, Gulmarg and Sonmarg. These are the destinations that are always on mind when planning a trip to Kashmir. But what if I tell you that the true heavenly side of this state is found in its hidden corners? The Kashmiri villages which may not be popular enough to attract a lot of tourists, but are a true paradise of nature.
So let me take you through the 5 such villages of Kashmir which may not be easy to reach but once you are there you will never want to come back.
YUSMARG — A Meadow of my Dreams
Located at a distance of 50 km from Srinagar, Yusmarg feels like a fairytale of meadows. Horses graze in slow motion over endless green lands. The breeze smells of pine and untouched skies.
Yusmarg is a remote village full of greenery during the summers and becomes a snowy wonderland during winters. You wouldn’t find a very strong mobile network here. But despite being an offbeat destination in Kashmir, it offers beautiful stay options in the form of govt owner and locally run Cottages.
One such cottage was Whispering Valley Resort with Lake View – a dreamy stay from where I could view the whole of the village right from the outdoor area.
There’s no crowd here and only calmness of pure nature where you can do nothing but soak in and meditate. Yusmarg also has some nearby trails that lead you to Doodhganga River or Nilnag Lake and many other treks, tucked away like a secret between dense forests.
Every walk in Yusmarg feels like you’re meandering through a painting — except, it’s real, and it’s breathing.
Why Yusmarg? Because it teaches you that sometimes travel is just about doing nothing.
KERAN VALLEY — A Border that pushes all borders of natural beauty
Keran, also known as the last village of Kashmir, is actually a fence-free border where you can see the other side of the world – Pakistan. Lying quietly along the Line of Control, the valley shares more than just a border — it shares language, culture, and the same beautiful river, the Kishanganga.
The village is build on the banks of gushing River Kishanganga so you can sit beside the river for hours here and enjoy the vastness of nature.
This village of kashmir also speaks about its unfornature past where wars happened and which left some abandoned wooden houses in the valley, where nobody lives. However, currently, you can find some good homestay/guesthouse options here where you can plan a night stay – solo or in a group and enjoy the starry nights.
There is also a small market at the entrance of the valley where you will find quite warm-heated and welcoming culture where you shall be offered kahwa along with some stories of the past.
What moved me most in Keran? Watching kids wave at the border posts like they were sending greetings across invisible lines drawn by history.
GUREZ VALLEY — The Wild Child of Kashmir
Gurez isn’t a place — it’s a revelation. Remote and rugged, it’s been embodied by the Habba Khatoon peak, named after the poetess-queen of Kashmir, whose legend still echoes and you will get to hear so many stories around it while roaming around the valley.
The journey to Gurez is not easy — sharp roads, uncertain signals, army checkpoints. But beyond that lies a land carved in mythology and raw magic. The Dard-Shina people here are among the kindest I’ve met, living simply amidst snow-fed streams and barley fields.
Sunsets in Gurez don’t set — they linger. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the elusive Markhor or just lose yourself in the stories locals whisper around wood-fired kitchens.
I stayed in the Cocoon in Markoot village. This is one such remote village of Kashmir which is actually quite facilitated with a vibrant market full of variety of shops selling all essential and non-essential items. In fact, I saw quite well equipped parlours, tailor shops and an authentic bakery with its own manufacturing space.
Also, you will get quite a fine mobile network available here.
Why Gurez? A perfect melange of raw natural beauty and a vibrant human settlement.
DOODHPATHRI — The Valley of Milk
The name means “Valley of Milk,” and trust me, Doodhpathri lives up to it. It s a meadow full of all shades of green, and the gushing Shaliganga River looks like a stream of milk flowing across the rocky paths.
Doodhpathri isn’t showy. It doesn’t scream for attention. It’s the kind of place that lets you lie down, watch clouds play, and forget what urgency feels like.
I found a shepherd there who offered me a kashmir-special veg roll, without expecting anything in return. “Yahan sab mehmaan hai,” he said. “Everyone is a guest here.”
And that’s Doodhpathri — simple, surreal, and soul-soothing.
Why Doodhpathri? Go on a day’s outing from Srinagar to witness the quieter side of Kashmir
Final Thoughts
In a time when travel often feels like a checklist, these places reminded me what it means to feel a destination — not just visit it. Kashmir has many faces, but the one I saw in Yusmarg, Keran, Gurez, and Doodhpathri felt like its most honest smile.
So, if you’re yearning for something untouched — something that still holds the aroma of pine, poetry, and people — pack your bags, ditch the itinerary, and head to the unspoken Kashmir.
Because sometimes, the most beautiful places aren’t marked on the map — they’re hidden in plain sight, waiting for those who wander not for escape, but for connection.
Girlgoingplacess 
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