Gangabal Lake lies at the foot of Mount Harmukh in Ganderbal district, about 2.5 kilometres long and reached on a 15-kilometre walk from Naranag. It is the largest of the Harmukh lakes and one of the sacred sites of the valley. The walk in from Naranag climbs steadily for most of a day, and almost everyone camps.
Duke Kashmir Travels runs the road legs and the stays either side for groups walking to these lakes. Registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011, we quote Kashmir packages from about ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- About 2.5 km long and roughly 1 km wide, at the foot of Mount Harmukh.
- Fifteen kilometres on foot from Naranag, the usual base.
- Drains into Nundkol Lake and onward to the Sindh river.
- Brown trout live in the lake.
- Meadows of wildflowers surround it through the short summer.
- Harmukh is a sacred mountain; an annual pilgrimage comes to this basin.
How do you reach Gangabal?
On foot from Naranag, about 15 kilometres of steady climbing through forest and meadow, usually taken as a full day with a camp at the lake.
Ponies carry loads for most groups. The alternative approach crosses from Sonmarg over the high meadows, which is the line the Kashmir Great Lakes trek follows. Either way it needs a guide, tents and proper clothing.
What is at the lake?
Open water under Harmukh's snow face, grazing meadows, and Nundkol a short walk below. Nothing else — no huts, no shops.
Trout are present and the water is very cold. The Harmukh basin holds religious significance in Kashmiri tradition and sees a yearly pilgrimage, so late summer can be busier than the emptiness suggests.
When is the season?
June to September. Snow closes the approach and the lake ices over outside those months.
Nights are cold even at the height of summer, and weather can turn within an hour. We arrange the transfer to Naranag and rooms either side; the walk itself belongs to a mountain operator. See Kashmir tour ideas.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels works out of Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar, registered as JKTA00003978 since 2011, IATO allied member since 2016 and a TAAK member. See About Us for the rest.
Share your travel dates and group size and we will price the trip around this stop. Phone +91 9018 44 0000, write to info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or open the contact page.
About the founder
Founder Rayies Ahmad Zargar opened Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011, sits in TAAK, co-founded the JK Tourism Council, and signs off the guides on this site. Find him on LinkedIn.