Gangabal Lake, Kashmir

Traveller — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:31:42 +0000

The Harmukh Lake (also known as the Gangabal Lake) is located at the peak of the Harmukh mountain ranges. The camp site (Nundkhul) near the lake (located at a height of 3570m) has facilities for wood, water, and trout fishing (The local fisheries guard will help the trekker in identifying the best locations and on choosing the most effective ‘flies’). The pleasure of a camp fire in the evening in the mountain air is incredible, and so is sleeping in tents in such a location. The lake also serves as one of the sources of the Jhelum river.
The lake is reachable through a trek through the beautiful mountains, you get to see lakes, walk along ridges, through pine forests, etc. The overall experience is a great one, one that will give you fond memories. This is the description (link) of a trek starting from Sonmarg (with a local guide with you; trust me, it will be well worth your while to have a local guide with you). Once you are done with Gangabal Lake, you will then proceed in a 19 km trek to Naranag from where you can either go to Srinagar, or continue onto Leh. The trekking season is from July to October while the fishing season extends from March to October.
Gangabal Lake is also a site that is sacred to Hindus.

Different places to travel » Campfire

Gangabal Lake, Kashmir