There are two routes to reach the cave of Baba Amarnath.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 Route: Registrations for Amarnath Yatra 2026 have started. Arrangements have been made to issue permits for devotees both online and offline. The yatra will start from 3rd July and will end on Rakshabandhan day on 28th August 2026. Every year lakhs of devotees participate in the two-month long Amarnath Yatra and travel a long distance to reach the cave of Baba Amarnath. There are two routes to reach Baba Barfani’s cave.
The first route is connected to Baltal in Ganderbal district of Kashmir and the second route reaches Amarnath cave via Pahalgam in Anantnag district. It depends on the devotee which route he chooses. However, most of the devotees choose the Pahalgam route to reach there for darshan.
Which route how long?
1- 48 kilometer journey in the first route
To reach the cave of Baba Amarnath one has to choose one of two paths. The first route is Pahalgam route. If we reach the cave through this route, we have to travel a long distance of 48 kilometers. If you choose the 48 kilometer route, the journey starts from Pahalgam and there are many stops on the way. Like Chandanwadi comes after 14 kilometers from Pahalgam. After this, we reach Panchtarni via Pissu Top, Joji Bal, Nagakoti, Sheshnag, Warbal, Mahagunas Top and Pabibal. Sangam halt is after 3 kilometers from Panchtarni. From here one has to travel 3 kilometers to reach Amarnath cave. On an average, it takes 4 to 5 days to complete this entire journey.
Pahalgam route is long and beautiful. This includes steep climbs like Pissu Top and Mahagunas Pass. Facilities like langar (community kitchen) and tents are available on the way.
2- 14 kilometer journey through another route
The second route of Amarnath Yatra starts from Baltal. In this 14 kilometer long route, the journey starts from Baltal and goes to Amarnath cave via Domali, Barari and Sangam halt. This route is much shorter than the Pahalgam route, but the path is not easy.
Due to the steep climb in the Baltal route, it is not easy for the devotees to reach the cave through this route. Deep ditch on the road can also increase difficulties.
How many days does the journey take?
If devotees choose the 48 km long Pahalgam route to reach the cave, then it takes an average of 4 to 5 days to complete the journey. Whereas, if you choose the 14 kilometer long Baltal route, it takes two days to reach the cave. However, for those devotees who cannot undertake the long journey on foot, other means including helicopters are available.
The advance registration for annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will begin today via online and offline modes across 554 designated bank branches in the country.
🔸The Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28 on Raksha Bandhan.
🔸Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) pic.twitter.com/pcSQCSrCgT
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) April 15, 2026
Devotees aged between 13 to 70 years will participate in the yatra.
According to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Chairman and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the annual Amarnath Yatra will start from July 3 and end on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. This year this pilgrimage will last for a total of 57 days. Devotees between the age group of 13 to 70 years can go on the pilgrimage. RFID cards will be mandatory for all pilgrims, while mass accident insurance cover has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. To ease the journey, disaster management systems have been improved with widening of tracks, better bridges and deployment of mountain rescue teams and security forces on both the Baltal and Nunawan routes.
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