About Lolab Valley

Lolab valley, locally known as ‘Wadi-e-Lolab’ is known for its fruit orchards, lake, springs and lush rice fields. Lolab can be easily reached by road. Travelers staying in Srinagar can easily reach Lolab by a local bus or hire a taxi. Poets like to refer to Lolab as a true destination and as “land of love and beauty”. Lolab valley is 5km wide and 26 km long. It is located at a distance of 120 kms from Srinagar in Kupwara district. Lolab is a combination of three valleys, Potnai valley, Brunai valley and Kalaroos valley. There are beautiful Nagmarg meadows, which separate Lolab from Bandipora district.The headquarters of Lolab is situated at Sogam. It is said that Sogam was very densely populated a long time ago, when Kashmir valley was still a lake called “Satisar”. Travelers visiting Lolab also visit the resting place of a famous saint Kashyap reshi, which is located at a distance of 1 km from village Lalpur. A spring called Lavnag can be found nearby. The spring is three feet deep and has crystal clear water. Gauri spring is another major spring in the area. Government has taken several steps to maintain Lolab Valley to its pristine beauty. Lolab valley is in the northern district of Kupwara of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Being very close to India’s most disputed border, Kupwara unfortunately ignites a lot of fear. But things are changing now. Lolab valley is studded with natural beauty and warm, hospitable locals minus the throngs of tourists. This part of Kashmir is as virgin as it gets.The Lolab Valley is a Himalayan sub-valley and forms the north-western corner of the Kashmir Valley formed by the Lahwal River in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The entrance to the valley lies 9 km (5.6 mi) north of Kupwara town and the centre of the valley lies 114 km (71 mi) northwest of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an oval-shaped valley 15 miles (24 km) long with an average width of 2 miles (3.2 km). The Lolab Valley is situated within the jurisdiction of Sogam, a block of Kupwara. It is bordered by the Kashmir Valley to the south and the Neelum Valley to the north, and is separated by Nagmarg meadows from Bandipore to the east. It is formed by the flow of Lahwal River, which flows from east to west. The Lolab Valley is home to many ancient springs, and is covered with dense forests of pine and fir. Fruit trees such as apple, cherry, peach, apricot and walnut are common in the valley, which is known as "the fruit bowl of Jammu and Kashmir". The valley has several natural landmarks and tourist spots, such as the caves of Kalaroos. The main towns in the Lolab Valley are Sogam, Kalaroos, Kigam, Lalpor, Tekipora, Chandigam, Kandi and Muqam. The Lolab Valley has two division POUTNAI and BRUNAI, the areas included in POUTNAI are chandigam, etc. In BRUNAI are kuligam, cheepora, varnow, etc. Like other valleys in the region, Lolab Valley is also home to many Himalayan wild animals, which include Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, ibex, markhor, hangul and musk deer.[6][citation needed] Lolab Vally is adjacent to Neelum Valley, and separated by the Line of Control.The Valley has seen many armed combats which has resulted in the displacement of many wild animals. HOW TO REACH The Lolab Valley is well connected by road to Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and Srinagar Airport. A bus takes three hours to cover a distance of 114 km and leads through the towns of Sopore and Kupwara. In Lolab Valley, there are a few tourist huts and many camping site. It has the potential to become one of the best tourist destinations in Kashmir.