The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of India’s most stunning high-altitude trails, often called a “walk through paradise.” Spanning around 75 kilometers over 7 days, this trek takes you through rolling meadows, alpine forests, and beautiful chain of turquoise glacial lakes.

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of India’s most stunning Himalayan treks, often called a “dream trek” for nature lovers. Stretching over 70–75 km, it takes around 7–9 days to complete and passes through some of the most breathtaking alpine landscapes in the Kashmir Valley. The trail starts near Sonamarg and ends at Naranag, showcasing around seven pristine high-altitude lakes such as Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangbal, and Nundkol, each framed by snow-capped peaks and lush meadows.

Trekkers encounter vibrant wildflower carpets, glacial streams, and scenic valleys that change hues with every turn. The moderate to difficult route demands good fitness but rewards travelers with unmatched beauty and serenity. The best time to go is from July to September, when the snow has melted and the meadows are in full bloom. The Kashmir Great Lakes trek truly captures the untouched charm of Kashmir’s alpine wilderness, offering an unforgettable mix of adventure, peace, and natural splendor.

Highlights of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

High-altitude lakes: Throughout the trek, you will be lucky to witness some of the most mesmerising lakes of Kashmir valley including Vishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Kishansar Lake, Nandkol Lake, Gangabal Lake and many like theses. You even get the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to camp by the shores of some of these water-bodies. The setting that the ambience there provides is so soothing that it takes all the stress away. A popular activity to do here is lying under the vast sky and stargaze. The Kashmir trek to the Great Lakes is a soul-stirring adventure through meadows, ridgelines, and mirror-like lakes reflecting the beauty of the Himalayas.

Adventurous Passes: Trekkers also cross three high-altitude passes in this trek such as Gadsar Pass, Zajbal Pass and more. Gadsar Pass is the one of the highest points of the trek and gives you a peek of the Vishansar Valley and the twin lakes. Mount Harmukh with Gangabal and Nandakol lakes are to be seen from the Zajbal Pass. You have to be extra careful while crossing these passes. 

Landscapes and Valleys: Starting from the Sonamarg Valley, where you acclimatise before the trek, you also get the chance to trek in other stunning valleys and through gorgeous meadows as well. The pristine beauty here is unparalleled. Some of them included Gadsar Valley, Satsar Valley, Gangabal Valley etc. These are some favourite camping spots among travellers. 

Best time to do Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek In June: 

As summer commences in Kashmir from June, Kashmir Great Lakes trek is a must thing to do during June. It is important to know that the trek is possible in the later days of june as per the rules of Department of Tourism Jammu and Kashmir The sun is out and about the whole day, keeping it warm and balmy. The temperature hovers between 15°C to 25°C and drops to a minimum of 10°C, making the nights a bit colder. 

There is little to no sign of rainfall in June in Kashmir which keeps the trekking trails dry and easily trekkable. You will see crystal clear views in the absence of fog too. There are chances of sunburn and heatstroke so, keep hydrating yourself. Drink water frequently even when you are not thirsty. Wear cotton clothes by the day and keep some woollens to be comfortable at night. Trekking without a trek leader can be dangerous, so you can take help from trek operators in Kashmir for an unforgettable experience.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek In July: 

July is the peak month for Kashmir Great Lakes trek as the pleasant weather makes all the long walking tolerable and enjoyable. The month of July also marks the onset of Monsoon season in the valley. It does not rain heavily here unlike the rest of Northern India. You will experience light drizzling and occasional rainfall at the end of the month. 

It does not hamper your plans in any way as the routes remain traceable and not slippery. The temperature is around 15-25°C, same as that of june but you will feel refreshness in the air with the moisture present. Kashmir Great Lakes trek is crowded this time of the year. 

Carry a raincoat to be dry when it rains. Wear clothes that are quick-dry and not very thick. Keep everything in a spacious and waterproof backpack. 

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek In August:

Kashmir Great Lakes trek can be done easily in August as the climate remains convenient as per the difficulty of the routes. The monsoon season is at its peak in August and occasional rainfall is experienced on some days. 

You will witness a surreal side of nature and the trek in the monsoons. Being in a place that is absolutely cut from the rest of the world and getting drenched in the middle of nowhere is a whole other experience. The temperature remains flexible between 20°C to 30°C, keeping the weather enjoyable. Keeping a raincoat is important and your clothes should be quick-dry ones. The month will surely give you memories of lifetime and an unforgettable time of Kashmir Great Lakes trek. 

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek In September: 

Saying goodbye to the monsoons, September marks the beginning of Autumn season in the valley. Another month to plan a memorable trip of Kashmir Great Lakes trek, you will be astonished seeing the beauty of those pine forests, ready to shed leaves. The ground of the routes seem like a golden carpet with brown and yellowish leaves falling all around. 

While trekking in the Himalayas, you will see magical shades of hues, casting over valleys, meadows, lakes and lofty mountains. The crispness can be easily felt in the air. Fluctuating between 15°C to 25°C , temperature in September remains mild, keeping the climate moderate and enjoyable. The weather, generally, gets very unpredictable. It is neither too hot nor too cold. 

There are no signs of rainfall in the month of September and snow is not seen around too. Little snowfall can be experienced in the high-altitude regions of the valley. 

Carry enough thermals and winter jackets as September contains chilly nights. 

Difficulty level of Kashmir Great Lakes trek

For straight 8 days, you have to trek 15 kilometres in 6-7 hours to cover a total distance of around 70 kilometres. The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is long for sure but the real challenge is the altitude gain that trekkers experience. There are alpine lakes that we have to reach. There are three passes that are at a higher altitude than the other. The altitude goes from 2,730 m in Sonamarg to 4,200 m in Gadsar Pass, which is the highest point of the trek. The high-altitude sickness with symptoms of headache, stomach aches, vomiting makes it even more challenging and rough. If you are planning to go on this trek alone then it can be a bit risky in the absence of a trek leader, that’s why many travel companies like Cliffhangers India in Kashmir arrange these activities for the tourists.

Day Wise difficulty level of Kashmir Great Lakes trek 

Day 1: The first day doesn’t involve any trekking. You have to complete a 3 hour drive from Srinagar to Sonamarg. Here, you acclimatise well before starting the trek. The basecamp lies in Shitkadi, a beautiful village which also offers some scenic views. You will be camping here for the sake of acclimatisation. The trek leader gives a detailing of the upcoming days and you should listen to the instructions very carefully. 

Day 2: The actual Kashmir Great Lakes trek starts from here. We have to trek for around 7 hours, covering a distance of 9 kilometres from Sonamarg to Nichnai. The trek involves gradual ascend. Aside from the distance to be covered, you do not face much difficulty. However, you do have to walk beside a river canal and through a forest, so that could be a real bummer. Apart from that, you are greeted by mesmerising views throughout the journey. 

Do not overpace yourself on the second day only. Keep your energy for the next few days. 

Day 3: The journey from Nichnai to Vishansar Lake is of moderate level. You have to walk a longer distance today with 13 kilometres to be covered in 6 hours. Throughout the day, you have to keep a steady pace to reach the lake before it starts getting darker. Crossing the Nichnai Pass involves rocky and steep descents that might be a bit rough to navigate. The routes are a bit tricky too with snow on one side and rugged mountain ranges on the other. 

Starting in the morning, you will reach the camp by evening. 

Day 4: The fourth day of Kashmir Great Lakes trek is the longest and most challenging day of the entire journey. Trekkers have to trek for 16 kilometres and that too only in 8 hours. The day would be physically tiring and demand all the energy. It will start from Vishansar Valley to Gadsar. The thing that adds to the difficulty and makes it the most toughest day is the altitude we have to get to. Gadsar Pass is at an altitude of 4200m, which is the highest altitude of the trek. It will start early in the morning and you will reach the camping site by evening. The trails are very sharp and narrow and you have to be very cautious especially when crossing Gadsar Pass. Take every step very carefully. Hydrate yourself from time to time.  

Day 5: After a challenging day, the next day from Gadsar to Satsar is easier with only one hour of ascending and then you smoothly enter the Satsar Valley, which is a piece of cake. The total distance is a bit long, that of 12 kilometres to be covered in 5-6 hours but the easy walk on the lush meadows makes it tolerable. The region is quite isolated and not much civilization is seen but what you will see is the seven lakes dotting the region that are interconnected to each other. 

Day 6: The second last day of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek starts from Satsar towards Gangabal. Truth to be told, the gradient would be moderate to difficult at a given point. 

Firstly, crossing boulders and trekking in rocky terrains, you will reach the Zajbal Pass. After that follows a sharp ascending for 3 hours and then a long descending of the same duration. You will see a blend of ascends and descends in the trek on this very particular day. 

Before reaching the Gangabal Lake and Nandkol Lake, you will have to walk in a narrow meadow and then some ups and downs take you further. The total distance to be covered is 9 kilometres in 5 hours. 

Day 7: On the very last day of Kashmir Great Lakes trek, it starts from Gangabal to Naranag, a beautiful village. It would be a challenging day, with rough gradients. The trek starts with gradual descent and then a sharp descent takes you to the forest. You trek in the forest for half an hour and then reach Butsheri Top. A 3-hour steep descent follows up from here which is the challenging part of the day. It will be quite hard on your legs, even on a straight route. A last hard descent towards the Naranag will take you there. 

Day 8: Say goodbye to Naranag and leave for Srinagar. 

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a breathtaking journey through nature’s finest creations. With its crystal-clear lakes, lush meadows, and majestic peaks, it offers an experience that feels almost otherworldly. For those seeking adventure and tranquility in equal measure, this trek is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ 
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.