Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: The High Mountain Route

The Kashmir Great Lakes (KGL) trek covers a distance of 75 kilometers, starting at Shitkadi near Sonamarg and ending at Naranag in the Ganderbal district. The trail crosses three mountain passes above 13,000 feet: Nichnai Pass (13,100 ft), Gadsar Pass (13,750 ft), and Zaj Pass (13,000 ft). You will camp next to five alpine lakes: Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Gangabal.

Day-by-Day Route Breakdown

Day 1: Shitkadi to Nichnai (11 km, 6 hours)
The trek begins at Shitkadi (elevation 7,800 ft), located 4 km from Sonamarg town. The trail climbs steeply through pine forests and birch trees for 4 hours before flattening out along the Nichnai stream. You will camp at Nichnai (11,800 ft).

Day 2: Nichnai to Vishansar Lake (12 km, 6 hours)
You will ascend from Nichnai to the Nichnai Pass (13,100 ft) over a rocky path. After the pass, the trail descends into a meadow and follows a stream to Vishansar Lake (12,011 ft). The camp is located 500 meters below the lake outlet.

Day 3: Vishansar to Gadsar Lake via Gadsar Pass (15 km, 7 hours)
The route climbs past Krishansar Lake to the Gadsar Pass (13,750 ft), the highest point of the trek. The descent from the pass is steep and requires walking on snow patches until late July. You will pass Yamsar Lake before reaching the camp at Gadsar Lake (10,750 ft).

Day 4: Gadsar to Satsar (12 km, 5 hours)
The trail ascends from Gadsar through a meadow to an army checkpost. Personnel will check your physical Aadhaar card. Past the checkpost, you will cross a boulder field to reach the Satsar lakes (12,000 ft), a group of seven small interconnected tarns.

Day 5: Satsar to Gangabal Lake (9 km, 6 hours)
You will climb over a ridge to the Zaj Pass (13,000 ft). From the pass, Gangabal Lake and Nundkol Lake are visible on the valley floor below. The trail descends steeply over rocks to the campsite at Nundkol Lake (11,500 ft) at the base of Mount Harmukh.

Day 6: Buffer / Rest Day at Gangabal Lake
This day is used for rest or excursions to the main Gangabal Lake, located a 20-minute walk from Nundkol. The lake is stocked with trout. You must show your pre-purchased angling permit if checked by forest guards.

Day 7: Gangabal to Naranag (11 km, 6 hours)
The final stage runs from Nundkol past the tree line to the Butsher ridge. The descent from Butsher to Naranag (7,400 ft) is a steep, dusty 4-km drop down a forest trail. The trek terminates at the ancient Naranag temple ruins.

Trek Difficulty & Fitness Reality

The KGL trek is classified as Difficult. The main challenges are the long daily walking distances (up to 15 km) and the steep ascents over Nichnai and Gadsar passes. The descent from Gadsar Pass involves walking on loose gravel and snow. You must be able to jog 5 km in 30 minutes to have sufficient cardiovascular fitness for this route.

Best Time for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

The trekking window is open from July to September. Before July, the Gadsar Pass remains blocked by deep winter snow, making the crossing impossible without technical mountaineering gear. In September, temperatures drop below freezing at night, and early snowstorms can close the route. July and August offer the greenest meadows but also bring occasional rain showers.

How to Reach the Starting Point

Drive from Srinagar to the Shitkadi trailhead (80 km northeast) via the Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH1D). The drive takes 2.5 hours. Hire a private cab from Srinagar for approximately ₹3,500, or take a shared taxi from the Parimpora stand to Sonamarg and walk to the Shitkadi camp site.

Permits and Guide Requirements

You must obtain a forest department permit and register your group details at the Shitkadi forest office. Carry five physical photocopies of your Aadhaar card and passport-size photographs. You will present these at the army checkposts in Shitkadi, Gadsar, and Naranag. Hiring a registered local guide and using mules for baggage is mandatory under local tourism rules.

What Makes KGL Different

Unlike other treks in Kashmir that focus on a single valley, KGL is a traverse trek that crosses three distinct mountain ridges. This allows you to see five large alpine lakes in a single journey, with Mount Harmukh (16,870 ft) visible during the final stages.

Practical Tips

• Water Sources: Fresh water is available at all campsites from local streams. Use chlorine tablets or a portable filter before drinking.
• Mobile Network: Mobile signal ends at Shitkadi and only returns when you reach the road head at Naranag. There is no connectivity during the 6 days of the trek.
• Medical Access: The nearest hospital is in Kangan, 15 km from Naranag. Carry a personal first-aid kit with altitude sickness medication (Diamox).