Bangus Valley: A Tranquil Haven for Tourists
Where Scenic Views and Serene Vibes Await Every Traveller
Bangus Valley is more than just a destination it provides visitors a chance to reconnect with nature (Photo: Roshan Shehab)
Bangus Valley in Kupwara is a peaceful retreat for anyone looking to relax or explore. Its stunning landscapes and tranquil vibe make Bangus more than just a destination, providing visitors a chance to reconnect with nature and recharge.

Bangus Valley is more than just a destination it provides visitors a chance to reconnect with nature (Photo: Roshan Shehab)
Bangus Valley, a stunning and tranquil destination in Kupwara district, situated about 100 km north-west of Srinagar, the valley is easily accessible by several routes, with the Handwara-Mawer route being the most commonly used.
The exploration of Bangus Valley begins long before you reach the heart of it. As you leave Handwara behind, the world around you slowly transforms. The roads narrow, winding through dense forests and small, peaceful villages. It feels like the land itself is gently pulling you away from the rush of modern life, into something quieter, something timeless. The air grows fresher with every turn, and with each mile, you feel yourself moving into a place where time seems to slow down, where the noise of the world fades away, and nature takes over.

Bangus Valley is easily accessible by several routes, with the Handwara-Mawer route being the most commonly used (Photo: Roshan Shehab )
Your first stop is Reshwari, the gateway to Bangus Valley. Located between thick forests and streams, this village feels almost suspended in time. The air is fresh, and the pace of life here is so slow it feels like the rest of the world has forgotten about this place. The simple beauty of Reshwari is calming, as if the village has always been here, untouched by the rush of modern life. It is a place that invites you to slow down, take a deep breath, and listen to the quiet around you. From Reshwari, you can already see the vastness of Bangus Valley, that lies ahead, waiting to be explored.
From Reshwari, the trail leads you toward Lokut Bangus, a small yet breathtaking meadow surrounded by towering mountains and dense forests. The land here feels alive, with green grass that stretches endlessly, dotted with wildflowers in a spectrum of colors. The silence here is profound, broken only by the soft sound of streams winding through the valley. The streams are fed by the snowmelt from the mountains, their crystal-clear waters flowing gently over rocks, carrying the fresh, cool energy of the highlands. Walking through Lokut Bangus, you get the sense that this place is untouched by time. The mountains, silent and distant, stand guard over the meadow, offering a quiet kind of strength.

The night sky here is unlike anything you may have ever seen (Photo: Roshan Shehab)
Continuing on from Lokut Bangus, you make your way deeper into the valley, towards the larger, more expansive meadows of Bodh Bangus or Large Meadow. Here, the scale of the land takes your breath away. The green stretches on as far as the eye can see, dotted with wildflowers that paint the landscape in vibrant colors. The mountains, towering in the distance, provide a constant, silent presence, their snow-capped peaks gleaming in the sunlight. The air feels fresher here, cleaner, as though you’re breathing in something ancient. There is a stillness in Bodh Bangus that is hard to describe, a silence that fills every corner of the valley.
The further you go into the meadow, the more the sounds of nature become your only companions. The rustle of leaves, the distant calls of birds, the sound of water, the soft whisper of the wind through the grass, all of it comes together in a quiet symphony. It is a place that asks nothing of you except to simply be. The world around you slows down, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you feel truly at peace.
But Bangus Valley is not just beautiful, it is also a sacred spot. Scattered throughout the valley are holy springs like Ram Kund, Seeta Kund, Lakshman Kund and Hanuman Kund and these are series of springs in MeyalHarie side and are considered sacred by Hindus.

Bangus Valley is not just a places to rest or capture as it is believed to have healing powers (Photo: Roshan Shehab)
These are not just places to rest or capture as they are believed to have healing powers. People come to these springs to cleanse their spirits, seek blessings, or connect more deeply with the land. The water is clear and cool, and standing by one of these springs, you can feel the energy in the air—something calming, something ancient that fills you from the inside.
One of the most moving moments of the journey is visiting the shrine of a Muslim saint tucked away in the valley. The shrine is humble, but it carries a deep spiritual weight. The saint’s teachings have shaped the lives of those who live here, and his presence still lingers in the valley. Standing by the shrine, you can feel the reverence in the air, a reminder that faith, nature, and history are intertwined in this place. The shrine, known as Ziarat-i-Dood Baba Sahib, is located on one side of Nilwan Maidan or Nidori Grass Land. Nilwan is home to numerous narrow mountain passes, locally called “gallis”
For those who want to truly immerse themselves in the valley’s tranquility, camping in one of the meadows is an unforgettable way to experience it. With permission from the local authorities, you can pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars. The night sky here is unlike anything you may have ever seen, clear, vast, and full of stars that seem to stretch on forever. The air is cool and crisp, and the only sounds are the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife. Lying in your tent, looking up at the stars, you feel time slow down. The quiet is so profound that for once, nothing else matters except the peace of the valley.

In Bangus Valley the air is cool and crisp, and the only sounds are the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife (Photo: Aadil Akbar)
If camping is not for you, staying in a Dokha, a traditional shepherd’s hut, offers another way to experience the valley. These huts, built with stone and wood, have been used by herders for generations. Inside, there is warmth and comfort, a stark contrast to the cool mountain air outside. Sitting by the fire, you can hear the valley’s quiet whispers, reminding you of the timeless connection between the people and the land.
As you venture deeper into Bangus Valley, you come across Nilwan Grassland, a marshy meadow surrounded by thick forests. This is home to the Gujjar community, who have been living and grazing their flocks here for generations. Watching the shepherds move through the tall grass with their animals, you can feel the deep connection they share with this land—a bond that has endured through centuries.
Finally, you reach Drangyari Kupwara, a peaceful spot at the base of Nattishanner Gali. The view here is breathtaking, with forests full of wildlife and the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. Drangyari feels like the heart of the valley, a place where the land’s true spirit is on full display.