Alpathar Lake is an alpine lake about 13 kilometres from the Gulmarg meadow, lying below the Apharwat peaks and frozen for much of the year. Kashmiris call it the frozen lake. The ice starts breaking up in March and slabs float on the surface well into the warm months, which is exactly what most visitors come to see.
Duke Kashmir Travels is a Srinagar travel agency, registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011. We plan Gulmarg stays that allow a day for this walk; Kashmir packages start near ₹6,350 per person, two sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- About 13 km from the Gulmarg meadow, under the Apharwat peaks.
- Frozen through winter; ice begins to break in March and floats on into summer.
- Three ways in: the gondola and a walk, a motorable approach, or a full trek.
- Not accessible in deep winter, when snow closes the route.
- High ground — take it slowly and carry warm layers whatever the date.
- Best combined with a night in Gulmarg rather than a day trip from Srinagar.
How do you reach Alpathar Lake?
Take the gondola to the upper station and walk in, drive as far as the motorable approach allows, or trek the whole way from the meadow.
The gondola shortens the day considerably and is what most visitors use. Whichever way you go, treat it as a mountain outing rather than a stroll: the ground is rough, the weather turns fast and there is no shelter at the lake.
When can you see the lake?
Late spring to early autumn. The surface is frozen solid through winter and the route is closed by snow.
March and April are when the ice breaks and the floating slabs appear. By late summer the lake is open water ringed by bare rock and snow patches on the peaks above.
What should you carry?
Warm layers, windproof outer, proper shoes, water and sunglasses. There are no facilities at the lake.
Guides and ponies can be arranged in Gulmarg for the walk. Anyone who has just arrived from the plains should give themselves a day at Gulmarg's altitude before attempting it. See Kashmir tour ideas for Gulmarg itineraries that leave room for this.
Booking this with us
The agency behind this guide, Duke Kashmir Travels, was registered with the J&K Department of Tourism in March 2011 (JKTA00003978) and joined IATO in 2016. More on the paperwork is on our About Us page.
Tell us when you are travelling and how many of you there are, and a costed itinerary follows. Reach us on +91 9018 44 0000, at info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or through the contact page.
About the founder
The agency was started in Srinagar in 2011 by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, who owns it to this day, helped found the JK Tourism Council, and reads every destination guide before it goes up. His LinkedIn profile is here.