Nature · Yusmarg, Kashmir
Down to the Doodh Ganga for a riverside picnic
Below the Yusmarg meadow, a path drops through pine forest to the Doodh Ganga, which tumbles white over rocks on its way to the Jhelum. It is the easiest walk in Yusmarg and the best picnic spot, especially for families.
Photo: Suhail Skindar Sofi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsFrom the edge of the meadow, ask a stall owner or pony handler to point out the path to the river. It drops through pine forest for 20–30 minutes, steep in places, to grassy banks above the water. The Doodh Ganga, the milk river, gets its name from the white water churning over boulders.
Find a flat bank well above the water for a picnic. The sound of the river and the shade of pines make it the coolest place in Yusmarg on summer afternoons. Watch for wagtails and dippers on the rocks, and look up for eagles over the ridges.
The river is fast and cold, so do not wade or let children near the edge. The walk back up is steeper than it looks; allow time and rest often. In June and July the river is at its fullest from snowmelt. Take all rubbish back to the meadow bins or to Srinagar.
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Photo: Suhail Skindar Sofi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
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Questions
Before you book
How far is the Doodh Ganga from the Yusmarg meadow?
A 20–30 minute walk downhill through pine forest, a little longer coming back up. Paths are not marked, so ask locals for the way and wear shoes with grip.
Is it safe to go into the Doodh Ganga?
No. The river is fast, very cold and full of slippery boulders. Enjoy it from the bank, and keep children well back from the water.
Can we cook or light a fire by the river?
Avoid it. Forest fires are a risk in dry spells and rules may prohibit open fires. Bring a packed lunch and a flask of kahwa instead, and leave nothing behind.