How long is Choharnag Lakes Trek?

8.1 km, typically walked in 2–4 hours.

Choharnag Lakes Trek · Kashmir Explorer

Important to know

High altitudeThis trek reaches 3,991 m. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,500 m. Gain height slowly and turn back if symptoms start.

Route

Play route

Way out
Shared · both ways
Way back

Directions

3,664 m8.1 km · GPX-measured3,990 m

Along the route

6 points

Margan Top road headStartkm 0.0 · 3,664 mThe trail leaves the Margan Top road here at about 3,660 m and climbs west up the open grassy slope towards the lakes.
Choharnag Lake 1Checkpointkm 2.1 · 3,933 mThe first of the four lakes, a small tarn just west of the trail as it levels out onto the lake plateau.
Choharnag Lake 2Checkpointkm 2.8 · 3,938 mThe largest of the Choharnag lakes, with clear blue water and a rim of stone. The trail runs along its eastern shore before looping round the southern end.
Choharnag Lake 3Checkpointkm 3.1 · 3,918 mA smaller lake tucked just below the south end of the main lake, where the trail turns back north along the western shore.
Choharnag Lake 4Lake · Turn back herekm 5.7 · 3,985 mThe highest of the lakes at close to 4,000 m and the goal of the walk. Rest here, then turn for home: the way back drops past the other lakes to the Margan road.
Back at Margan Top road headEndkm 8.1 · 3,664 mThe walk finishes where it began, back on the Margan Top road.

Distances are measured along the track from the road head.

Photographs

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Gear checklist

gear

Daypack 20-30 L with rain cover
Water bottles 2 x 1 L or hydration bladder
Packed lunch and high-energy snacks
Trekking poles (pair)

safety

Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm
UV-protection sunglasses
Government photo ID

medical

First-aid kit (ORS, painkillers, blister patches, antiseptic)

0 of 13 packed

About this trek

Choharnag is a cluster of four alpine lakes strung along a rocky basin just above Margan Top in Anantnag district, reached by a short but steady climb from the pass road. The largest lake is ringed by stone and holds strikingly clear blue water, with meadows and scree slopes rolling towards the Warwan valley. The walk itself is brief, but you start above 12,000 ft, so the thin air is the real challenge — go slow, carry warm layers and plan for a clear morning. Best done from late June to September, typically as a day trip via Daksum or combined with a night in Warwan.

Season window

Best windowJuly — September

Depends on the Margan Top road opening, usually from late June; September brings the clearest skies and fewest visitors.

Getting there

Starting pointMargan TopAnantnag, Kashmir

3,664 mTrailhead

About 74 km from Srinagar as the crow flies — the road is longer.

Directions to the trailhead

Trekker reports

No trekker reports yet. Conditions on this route change week to week — if you walk it, a short report on pass snow and river levels helps the next group. Reports are posted from the Kashmir Explorer app.