Best treks in Kashmir
Naranag & Gangbal Lake, Tulian Lake and Tarsar Marsar lead a list of 6. Every trek in Kashmir in this guide, from the easiest to the hardest.
Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.
- 1Kashmir · GanderbalNaranag & Gangbal LakeModerate; 3,570 m, about 40 km, 4–5 days.An old temple village at the trailhead for the Harmukh trek, ending at the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Steep forest climb on day one and rough camping above the treeline.
- 2Kashmir · Pahalgam, AnantnagTulian LakeModerate; 3,800 m, about 30 km, 4–5 days.A small glacial lake at 3,800 m above Aru, usually done as an overnight camp from Pahalgam.Best months: Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: The trail is faint and unmarked in places; only viable June to September.
- 3Kashmir · Aru, PahalgamTarsar MarsarModerate; 4,000 m, about 48 km, 7 days.Twin alpine lakes ringed by snow peaks, quieter than Great Lakes.Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Short season; weather turns fast on the pass.
- 4Kashmir · Gulmarg, BaramullaAlpather LakeModerate; 4,100 m, about 22 km, 3–4 days.A high alpine lake above Gulmarg, reached on foot or pony past Khilanmarg and the Apharwat ridge.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Only accessible roughly June to September; snowbound the rest of the year.
- 5Kashmir · Sonamarg, GanderbalKashmir Great LakesDifficult; 4,200 m, about 72 km, 8–9 days.Seven days over high passes between turquoise alpine lakes — often called India's most beautiful trek.Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Long days, three passes around 4,000 m, and a short July–September window.
- 6Kashmir · Aru, AnantnagKolahoi GlacierDifficult; 4,300 m, about 55 km, 6–7 days.A hard trek from Aru up the Lidder valley to the largest glacier in Kashmir, under Kolahoi peak (5,425 m).Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Rough, unmarked in places, and only viable in a narrow July–September window.
Treks in Kashmir: quick answers
Best treks in Kashmir: which are the top picks?
Naranag & Gangbal Lake, Tulian Lake and Tarsar Marsar come first of 6 places. Every trek in Kashmir in this guide, from the easiest to the hardest.
Which of these is the easiest?
Naranag & Gangbal Lake, in Kashmir: it reaches 3,570 m and needs 4 days on the ground.
Which is the cheapest?
Naranag & Gangbal Lake, at about ₹2,500 per person per day on the ground.
Which goes the highest?
Kolahoi Glacier, at 4,300 m.