Naranag Travel Guide – Wangath Temples & Gangabal TrekDuke Kashmir Travels
Naranag is a village and archaeological site in Ganderbal district, Kashmir, India. It lies about 50 km from Srinagar under Mount Harmukh, and it holds a group of 8th-century stone temples.
It is the least developed of the valley's day-trip destinations and the most rewarding for anyone who walks.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Distance: about 50 km from Srinagar, 8 km beyond Kangan; roughly 1.5 hours.
- What it is: Wangath temple ruins and the trailhead for Gangabal and the Great Lakes.
- Best time: May to September. The trek season is short.
- Time needed: half a day for the temples; two days minimum for Gangabal.
- Nearby: Sonmarg is 30 km on up the Sindh valley.
What is at Naranag?
A temple complex in grey stone, and the start of the Gangabal trail. The Wangath temples date from the 8th century and stand in two clusters beside the river, their blocks massive and undressed — the same building tradition as Martand.
From the village the path climbs to Gangabal and Gadsar, part of the Kashmir Great Lakes circuit. Gangabal is a hard day up and a day back, and a pilgrimage site in its own right.
Can you trek to Gangabal from Naranag?
Yes, and this is the standard approach. The climb from Naranag to Gangabal gains around 1,300 m and takes six to eight hours for a fit walker, so it is done as an overnight with a camp at the lake rather than a day return.
The season runs from late May to September. Guides, ponies and camping equipment are arranged in the village or through us in advance.
How do you get to Naranag from Srinagar?
About 50 km through Ganderbal and Kangan, then 8 km up a side road. The turn is at Kangan on the Sonmarg highway, which makes Naranag easy to combine with Sonmarg on the same day if you start early.
Book Naranag with Duke Kashmir Travels
We are a J&K Tourism-registered agency (JKTA00003978) operating in Kashmir since 2011. Naranag is a half-day add-on to a Sonmarg trip, or the trailhead if you are trekking with us. See the Kashmir tour ideas page.
Insider tip from our local team
If you are trekking to Gangabal, arrange ponies in Naranag the evening before rather than on the morning of the climb, and start by 6 am — the last two hours to the lake are exposed and unpleasant in afternoon weather.