At an altitude of 2,130 meter's above sea level, 96 km east of Srinagar. Pahalgam has many attraction of its own, pretty walks and rides and good fishing. Some of the margs above, as Baiserran and Khaimu are worth a visit. It is an excellent base, perhaps the best in Kashmir, for expeditions to the wider scenery of the higher mountains; Sona Sar, Shisha Nag, Amarthnath cave, Har Nag, Lidarwat and the Kolahoi glacier, afford some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery of the Himalayas.
             Pahalgam has within it no fewer than eight tiny villages, one of which is Mamal. There is a Shiva temple here, generally considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple dating to the 8th century
             Chandanawri, 16 km from Pahalgam, is the starting point of the Amarthnath yatra which takes place every year in the month of sawn ( July- August ). The destination is the Amarthnath cave, believed to be the abode of lord Shiva. Although the road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari   onwards the track becomes much steeper, being accessible on foot or by pony. 11 km from Chandanwari is the mountain lake of Sheshnag, after which, 13 km away is the last stop, Panchtarni. The Amarthnath cave is 6 km away from there. During the month of Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shivling which waxes and wanes with the phases on the moon.   
           Aru, the Wildlife Sanctuary is located close to Pahalgam. The best time to see animals is September to April and bird viewing from march to August. 
           Pahalgam is know as trekkers paradise and some of the popular treks from Pahalgam are to the Kolahoi Glacier via Aru, Satlanjan and Dudsar Lake, and to the high altitude lakes that dot the meadowland and mountain ridges between Pahalgam and Sonamarg. All the gears needed for trekking are available in the market.