Photo · Critical koshurModerate
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Shitkadi · Ganderbal · Central Kashmir- 56.7 km
- Distance
- 6–8 days
- Duration
- 4,092 m
- Highest
Important to know
High altitudeThis trek reaches 4,092 m. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,500 m. Gain height slowly and turn back if symptoms start.
WildlifeGraded moderate risk. Keep food sealed at camp and give animals room on the trail.
Route
Point to point. The walk finishes somewhere other than where it started, so there is no way back on the map.
AMS zone > 3,500 m
2,294 m56.7 km · GPX-measured4,088 m
Along the route
- NaranagDestinationkm 0.3 · 2,351 mTrek finishes at Naranag village, near the temple ruins.
- Nundkol LakeCheckpointkm 10.8 · 3,543 mSits at the foot of Mount Harmukh at about 3,505 m, joined to Gangabal by a short stream.
- Gangabal LakeCheckpointkm 11.3 · 3,567 mThe largest and last of the great lakes, at about 3,567 m below Mount Harmukh. The final camp before the descent to Naranag.
- Satsar LakesCheckpointkm 19.5 · 3,660 mSatsar means 'seven lakes' — a cluster of small alpine pools at about 3,610 m. How many are visible depends on the season.
- Gadsar LakeCheckpointkm 31.5 · 3,633 mReached after the trek's highest crossing at Gadsar Pass. Snowmelt-fed and ringed with wildflowers in summer; about 3,600 m.
- Krishansar LakeCheckpointkm 36.5 · 3,888 mThe second of the twin lakes, a short climb above Vishansar on the way to Gadsar Pass. About 3,710 m.
- Vishansar LakeCheckpointkm 38.2 · 3,700 mFirst of the twin lakes, reached after crossing Nichnai Pass. Camp sits on its shore at about 3,710 m.
- Shitkadi, SonamargStartkm 55.7 · 2,738 mTrailhead near Sonamarg where the Kashmir Great Lakes trek begins.
Distances are measured along the track from the road head.
Photographs
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Gear checklist
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About this trek
Season window
Best windowSeptember
Getting there
2,351 mTrailhead
About 34 km from Srinagar as the crow flies — the road is longer.
Directions to the trailheadTrekker 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.