Kashmir's waterfall that hits pause every winter
Most waterfalls have one job: fall. Drung waterfall, near Tangmarg, takes the winter off. When temperatures drop below zero, the water freezes mid-tumble into a wall of giant icicles, and suddenly half of India wants a selfie with it.
Here is everything you need to know, in four lines:
What it is: a waterfall in Drung village, Tangmarg, on the way to Gulmarg, that freezes in deep winter.
When it freezes: usually from mid-December to January, the coldest stretch of the Kashmiri winter. February can still deliver.
How to get there: drive from Srinagar to Tangmarg, then take a taxi or a fun ATV ride to the falls.
Is it open? Yes. It reopened to tourists at the end of November 2025 after a security-related closure. Always check the latest status before you go, and we're happy to do that for you.
Now let's get into the details, including how to dodge the crowds and get the photo everyone else misses.
Where is Drung waterfall?
Drung waterfall is in Drung village, at the foot of Gulmarg in the Tangmarg area of Baramulla district, north Kashmir. Locals also call it Drang. Here's how far it is from the places you'll probably be staying (Kashmir Life, Village Square):
From Srinagar: about 42 km
From Tangmarg town: about 3 to 3.5 km
From Gulmarg: about 16 km
That makes it an easy add-on to any Gulmarg trip. You pass Tangmarg on the way up anyway.
Fun fact to impress your travel group: according to Kashmir Life, Drung isn't a purely natural waterfall. Its water is released from the reservoir of a nearby hydropower station, and it flows down the Ferozpur stream (Kashmir Life). So technically, you're looking at a frozen waterfall that was also doing a day job.
When does Drung waterfall freeze? Month by month for 2026-27
The best time to see Drung frozen is mid-December to January. Kashmir Life describes December to January as the months when the waterfall freezes into ice (Kashmir Life).
November 2026: "Warming up to the cold" The water is still flowing, but mornings get frosty. Come for the quiet and the autumn colours, not the ice.
Early December 2026: "The first icicles" Icicles start forming as nights drop below zero. In early December 2025, right after Drung reopened, visitors were already admiring its frozen cascades (Kashmir Despatch).
Mid-December 2026 to January 2027: "Showtime" This is peak frozen season. By mid-December 2024, the frozen falls were drawing thousands of tourists a day (Greater Kashmir). Chillai Kalan, Kashmir's 40 coldest days, starts on 21 December and keeps the ice in top shape.
February 2027: "Bonus round" Don't write February off. PTI photographers captured a frozen Drung waterfall on 10 February 2022 (Morung Express/PTI). Expect more melting in the afternoons, though.
March to May 2027: "Full power" The ice is gone, but this is when the waterfall flows at its fullest and the meadows around it turn green (Kashmir Life). It's a different, louder kind of beautiful.
Heads-up for this winter: the weather department expects a milder, drier winter in 2026-27 because of El Niño. The good news is that Drung needs cold, not snowfall, so it can still freeze in a low-snow year. A full freeze is never guaranteed, though, so keep it flexible in your plan.
How to reach Drung waterfall from Srinagar and Gulmarg
The route is simple: Srinagar to Tangmarg, then Tangmarg to Drung. The fun part is choosing how you do the last 3 km.
Step 1: Srinagar to Tangmarg Tangmarg is on the main road to Gulmarg. In winter, roads can be icy and snowy, which is why Kashmir Life advises against taking private vehicles (Kashmir Life). Leave the snow driving to a local driver who does it every day.
Step 2: Tangmarg to Drung (pick your ride)
Option 1, the classic: a taxi from Tangmarg. A return trip from the Tangmarg taxi stand to the frozen falls has usually cost around Rs 1,500 to 2,000 (Village Square). That figure is from 2023, so expect it to be a bit higher now, and agree on the fare before you set off.
Option 2, the thrill: an ATV ride. Local ATV riders from Tangmarg run 14 km rides to the frozen cascades. Tangmarg's riders' association has 87 ATVs (Kashmir Despatch). It's bumpy, chilly and very fun. Fix the price and the route before you hop on.
Option 3, the easy way: your own cab for the day. Book a Stay Pattern cab from Srinagar or Gulmarg and do Drung and Gulmarg together. No changing vehicles, no bargaining at the taxi stand, and your bags stay warm in the car.
The smart combo: leave Srinagar early, see Drung in the morning while the ice is at its best, then carry on 16 km up to Gulmarg for the Gondola in the afternoon.
Things to do at Drung waterfall in winter
Drung looks like a 10-minute photo stop, but most people end up staying for hours. Here's how to fill your time.
Get the icicle photo. Stand back for a wide shot of the whole frozen wall, then go close for the details: icicles longer than your arm. Go in the morning, before the crowds fill the frame.
Ride an ATV through the pines. It's the most fun way to arrive, and it doubles as an adventure activity.
Try a sledge ride. Local boys offer sledge rides near the falls (Village Square). It's undignified and joyful in equal measure.
Drink something hot. Roadside stalls near the falls sell steaming tea, and small snack shops keep a fire going (Village Square). Ask for kahwa, Kashmir's saffron-and-almond green tea. Holding a hot cup next to a frozen waterfall is the whole vibe.
Find the ancient temple. Near the waterfall stands an old Hindu temple that locals believe was built by the Pandavas, and there are more ancient ruins in the area known as Pandavlary (Kashmir Life).
Play in the snow. If there's been snowfall, Drung turns into a giant snowball arena. Bring spare gloves.
Keep going to Gulmarg. With Gulmarg just 16 km up the road, you can pair the frozen falls with a Gondola ride or a ski lesson on the same day.
7 tips before you visit Drung waterfall
Check it's open before you go. Drung was closed for several months in 2025 because of security concerns, and it reopened at the end of November 2025 (Kashmir Despatch). Access rules can change, so confirm a day or two before. Message us and we'll check for you.
Go early. Mornings mean fewer people, firmer ice and better photos. By the afternoon, the crowds and the sun both show up.
Admire the ice, don't climb it. Frozen waterfalls look solid but can crack, and big icicles can break off. Take your photos from a safe distance and keep children close.
Wear boots with grip. The ground around the falls is often icy. Your new white sneakers will not survive, and neither will your dignity.
Carry cash. Tea stalls, sledge rides and ATV riders mostly work in cash, and mobile signal can be patchy.
Keep it flexible. Weather decides how frozen the falls are on any given day. Build Drung into a Gulmarg day rather than making it the only plan.
Leave nothing behind. Take your wrappers and cups back with you. Drung's magic is that it still feels untouched, so let's keep it that way.
Where to stay near Drung waterfall
Most visitors rush in from Srinagar, take a selfie and rush out. Stay nearby and you get the falls in the quiet hours, when it's just you and the ice.
Right at the waterfall
Marina Drung by Stay Pattern: stay at Drung waterfall itself. See the icicles before the day-trippers arrive, and enjoy the calm once they've left.
Up in Gulmarg (16 km away)
Gulmarg Woods by Stay Pattern: cottages near the Gulmarg Gondola, each with its own dining hall. Do Drung in the morning and the Gondola in the afternoon.
Shaw Inn by Stay Pattern: a cosy Gulmarg base for snow days.
In Srinagar (about 42 km away)
Lake Avenue by Stay Pattern: facing Dal Lake on Boulevard Road at Nishat, with hot and cold AC in every room.
Wood Venture Residency by Stay Pattern: in the city centre, with airport transfers and local sightseeing.
Harmukh Houseboat by Stay Pattern: a heritage houseboat on Nigeen Lake for a classic Kashmir night.
A simple 3-night winter plan
Night 1, Srinagar: arrive, take a shikara ride and warm up with kahwa.
Night 2, Marina Drung: reach Drung by afternoon and catch the frozen falls the next morning before the crowds.
Night 3, Gulmarg: head 16 km up for the Gondola, snow play or a ski lesson.
Drung waterfall: frequently asked questions
Where is Drung waterfall? In Drung village, in the Tangmarg area of Baramulla district, north Kashmir. It's about 42 km from Srinagar, 3 km from Tangmarg and 16 km from Gulmarg.
When does Drung waterfall freeze? Usually from mid-December to January, the coldest part of the winter. It can still be frozen in early February in a cold year.
Is Drung waterfall open in winter 2026-27? Drung reopened to tourists at the end of November 2025 after a security-related closure. Access rules can change, so check the latest status a day or two before your visit.
Does Drung need snowfall to freeze? No. It needs sub-zero temperatures, not snow. That makes it a great backup plan in a low-snow winter.
How much does it cost to visit Drung waterfall? You mainly pay for transport. A return taxi from Tangmarg has cost around Rs 1,500 to 2,000 (2023 rates), and ATV riders set their own prices. Agree on the fare before you start.
Can I visit Drung waterfall and Gulmarg on the same day? Yes. Drung is just off the Gulmarg road, 16 km below Gulmarg. See the falls in the morning and ride the Gondola in the afternoon.
What is the best time of day to visit? Early morning. The ice is firmest, the light is soft, and the crowds haven't arrived yet.
Plan your frozen waterfall trip
A frozen waterfall is the kind of thing you see once and tell people about for years. Time it for mid December to January, go early in the morning, check it's open, and stay close enough to beat the crowds.
Stay Pattern, an award winning hotel and travel management company in Kashmir, can plan the whole winter trip for you: Marina Drung right at the falls, Gulmarg stays for the snow, and a cab to connect everything. Call or WhatsApp us on +91 9622 333330, or book at staypattern.com
