Ganderbal · Kashmir
Naranag & Gangbal Lake
An old temple village at the trailhead for the Harmukh trek, ending at the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol.
Naranag & Gangbal Lake is a moderate trek in Ganderbal, Kashmir, reaching 3,570 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground from Srinagar and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Naranag & Gangbal Lake
The one thing not to miss
Gangbal Lake
A large lake under Harmukh, with Nundkol just below it.
- 2Naranag templesRuined stone temples at the trailhead, more than a thousand years old.
- 3TrunkholThe high pasture above the tree line on the way up.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Srinagar to Naranag
See the old stone temples and stay the night.
Day 2
Naranag to Trunkhol or Gangbal
A long, steep climb through pine forest to the meadows.
Day 3
A day at Gangbal and Nundkol lakes
Under Harmukh.
Day 4
Down to Naranag, and drive to Srinagar
Hard on the knees.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Kashmir's classic high-lake trek outside Sonamarg, with 8th-century Naranag temple ruins at the start.
Why not
Steep forest climb on day one and rough camping above the treeline.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest permit and ID for checkpoints.
- Guide
- Required in practice.
- Safety
- Check current J&K travel advisories before booking.
- Phone & internet
- None after Naranag.
Altitude
Naranag & Gangbal Lake reaches 3,570 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Kashmir →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Police control room, Ganderbal, Ganderbal.
All emergency contacts for Kashmir →What to pack for Naranag & Gangbal Lake
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,570 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 40 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,570 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest permit and ID for checkpoints.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone after Naranag.
- A postpaid SIMPrepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Ladakh or Kashmir. Only postpaid connections, or a prepaid SIM bought locally, will have signal.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Kashmir Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Srinagar
- Distance
- about 50 km
- Drive time
- about 2 hours
- Srinagar
- Ganderbal
- Kangan
- Naranag
The walk starts at Naranag village.
Live directions from Srinagar
Buses and shared taxis. Fly to Srinagar, or come by road from Jammu (about 250 km, 7–9 hours). A train now runs between Katra and Srinagar. Shared sumos and local buses leave Srinagar for most valleys.
Pickups & drivers
From Srinagar. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Naranag & Gangbal Lake yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Naranag & Gangbal Lake: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
The best months for Naranag & Gangbal Lake are June to September. May is possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
Naranag & Gangbal Lake is rated moderate. The trek is about 40 km in total, starting at 2,200 m and reaching 3,570 m.
How many days do you need for Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground, counted from Srinagar. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Naranag & Gangbal Lake cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹12,500 for 5 days, before the cost of getting to Srinagar.
How do you reach Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
By road: from Srinagar it is about 50 km, about 2 hours (Srinagar → Ganderbal → Kangan → Naranag). Fly to Srinagar, or come by road from Jammu (about 250 km, 7–9 hours). A train now runs between Katra and Srinagar. Shared sumos and local buses leave Srinagar for most valleys. The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
Permits: Forest permit and ID for checkpoints. Guide: Required in practice.
Is Naranag & Gangbal Lake suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is quiet in season. Check current J&K travel advisories before booking.
What should you pack for Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs, quick-dry t-shirts, 2–3, sun cap or hat, rain jacket or poncho. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
None after Naranag.
Will I get altitude sickness at Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
Naranag & Gangbal Lake reaches 3,570 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Naranag & Gangbal Lake?
Naranag & Gangbal Lake is not a good choice for first-time trekkers who are not reasonably fit, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,570 m. Also keep in mind: Steep forest climb on day one and rough camping above the treeline.
Close to Naranag & Gangbal Lake
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Kashmir Great Lakesabout 26 km
- Srinagar & Dal Lakeabout 29 km
- Gurez Valleyabout 31 km
More in Sonamarg & Sind valley
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