A local guide to driving in Kashmir in snow: which roads stay open, the Tangmarg-Gulmarg 4x4 and chain rule, black ice, fitting snow chains, self-drive vs a local driver, and where to check road status each morning.
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Quick Answer: Driving in Kashmir in snow is possible but needs a 4x4 or snow chains, early starts and daily road checks. Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are reached through winter, but after fresh snow police often allow only 4x4s or chained cars above Tangmarg. Mughal Road and Zojila close for winter. Most visitors are safer with a local driver.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Kashmir's winter roads are beautiful and unforgiving. A road that was dry at breakfast can be glass by four o'clock, and a single overnight snowfall can turn the Tangmarg-Gulmarg climb into a queue of cars fitting chains. We drive these roads every winter. This guide is what we tell friends who want to do it themselves.
It covers which roads stay open, the rules you will meet, the gear you need, and when the honest answer is: let someone local drive.
Driving in Kashmir in snow at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Snow season | December to February, with early snow possible from October (it fell on Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam on 14 and 15 October 2026) |
| Roads open in winter | Srinagar to Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg (through the Z-Morh tunnel) and the Jammu-Srinagar highway, subject to snow |
| Roads closed in winter | Mughal Road and Zojila (Srinagar to Ladakh) |
| Vehicle | 4x4 or AWD with winter tyres; carry snow chains |
| Daily check | J&K Traffic Police advisories and our winter road closures guide |
| Plan with Via Kashmir | Winter cabs with experienced drivers |
Which roads stay open in Kashmir in winter?
- ✓Srinagar to Gulmarg: about 39 km to Tangmarg, then 13 km of climbing road to Gulmarg. Open through winter, but the upper stretch is often restricted to 4x4s or chained vehicles after snow.
- ✓Srinagar to Pahalgam: open in winter; the last stretch beyond Pahalgam town, towards Chandanwari and Aru, is often snowbound.
- ✓Srinagar to Sonamarg: reachable in most weather through the Z-Morh tunnel, but beyond Sonamarg towards Zojila the road closes for winter. See our Sonamarg winter guide.
- ✓Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH-44): open most days but can shut for a day or more after heavy snow around Banihal and Ramban, and traffic is sometimes one-way on alternate days.
- ✓Mughal Road and Zojila: closed for winter. Mughal Road was briefly shut by the season's first snow in mid-October 2026.
Related reading: Zojila Pass: Road Conditions, Winter Closure and the New Tunnels
What is the 4x4 and chain rule on the Gulmarg road?
After fresh snowfall, police at Tangmarg often stop two-wheel-drive cars without chains from going up to Gulmarg. Only 4x4s, or cars fitted with chains, are allowed. Local chain fitters wait at Tangmarg in winter, and taxis switch to 4x4s. The rule is announced day by day, so check before you set out.
A sentence every winter driver in Kashmir should remember: in snow, the road decides your timetable, not your booking.
How to fit snow chains
- Practise once at your hotel before you need them, in daylight, on a flat surface.
- Stop on a straight, flat stretch well off the road, with hazard lights on.
- Lay the chain flat behind or in front of the drive wheels, untangled, hooks facing out.
- Drape it over the tyre, connect the inner fastener first, then the outer one, and tension it.
- Drive 50 to 100 metres slowly, stop and re-tighten.
- Keep below about 30 to 40 km/h with chains, and remove them on clear tarmac.
What makes snow driving in Kashmir dangerous?
- ✓Black ice. Early mornings and after 4 pm, shaded bends and bridges freeze into clear ice. Slow down well before them.
- ✓Steep descents. Use a low gear and engine braking, not the brake pedal, on the way down from Gulmarg.
- ✓Short daylight. In December it is dark by about 5.30 pm. Plan to be off mountain roads by then.
- ✓Parked and stuck vehicles on narrow stretches, especially at Tangmarg on busy days.
- ✓Fog in Srinagar on winter mornings, which slows traffic and flights.
Local tip: keep the fuel tank at least half full, carry water, snacks, a blanket and a charged phone, and never let the engine idle for long in deep snow with the exhaust blocked.
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Self-drive or a local driver in winter?
| Self-drive | Local driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Experience with snow and ice | Depends on you | Drives these roads every winter |
| Chains and rules | You fit them and check advisories | Driver handles both |
| Stress | High on steep, icy stretches | Low, you watch the scenery |
| Flexibility | Full | High, with a good driver |
| Best for | Experienced snow drivers in a 4x4 | Most visitors, families and first-timers |
If you have driven on snow and ice before and hire a 4x4, self-drive in Kashmir is a wonderful way to see the valley; see self-drive Thar in Kashmir and self-drive car rental. If you have not, take a local driver for the mountain days and drive yourself only in Srinagar.
What should you carry in the car?
- ✓Snow chains that fit your tyres, and gloves to fit them.
- ✓A torch, a small shovel and a tow rope.
- ✓Warm clothes, a blanket, water and snacks.
- ✓A phone charger, offline maps and your hotel's number.
Want a 4x4 and a driver who knows the snow? We plan winter transfers end to end.
Plan winter transport →Via Kashmir runs winter local cabs with drivers who know the Tangmarg climb and the Sonamarg tunnel road, and plans verified hotels, houseboats on Dal and Nigeen and Kashmir packages around daylight and road status. Tell us your dates and we will plan each driving day.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drive in Kashmir in snow?
Yes, if you have a 4x4 or chains, drive slowly, start early and check road status each morning. If you have never driven on snow or ice, a local driver is safer for mountain roads.
Do I need a 4x4 to reach Gulmarg in winter?
Often, yes. After fresh snow, police may allow only 4x4s or cars with chains above Tangmarg. On clear days normal cars can sometimes go up.
Which roads close in Kashmir in winter?
Mughal Road and Zojila (the Srinagar-Leh road) close for winter. The Jammu-Srinagar highway can shut temporarily after heavy snow.
Where can I check Kashmir road status?
Check the J&K Traffic Police advisories each morning, ask your hotel, and read our winter flights and road closures guide for the main routes.
Can I hire snow chains in Kashmir?
Yes. Chain fitters wait at Tangmarg and other snow points in winter, and many rental cars carry chains. Check they fit your tyres before you set off.
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