Location: situated at the foothills of Mount Haramukh
Attractions : The twin lakes of Gangabal and Nandakol look stunning when viewed from Zach pass on the hills opposite side. It is definitely worth the effort, try and hike up as high as possible, higher you go, better is the view!
If there are shepherds around with their flock, the lake is great for fishing but one needs a permit from Srinagar.
On a clear day, the view of Nandakol lake at the base of Harmukh peak towering to a height of over 5000m is fantastic.
You can make this a trip on horse/pony from Narnag. .
Major Tourist Activity:
Trekking and fishing
.
How to Reach?
The Gangabal lake is approached from Srinagar 45 kilometres by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag and then a trek of 15 kilometres upslopes leads to the lake, which can be covered by a horse ride or by foot. The shepherds and gujjars can be seen during the trek with their flocks of sheep and goats. Another trek (25 kilometres long) leads to the lake site from Sonamarg via the Vishansar Lake crossing the Nichnai pass[10] ( 4100 meteres). It can also be accessed through a trek from Bandipore via Arin.
Gangabal Lake Trek
(6 Nights/7 Days)
The trek to the lake Gangabal takes place in an alpine environment, (cut crossing) with meadows, (cut from) and huts of Gujjars – Himalayan nomads - with their herds crossing through two passes (cut steeps of) over 4,000 m to get to the lake Gangabal, the sacred Hindu lake and place of pilgrimage.
Day 1:
Srinagar-Sonamarg-Nichniai. Travel by car to Sonamarg, 2740 m. Start trek.
Day 2:
Nichniai to Vishansar.
Day 3:
Vishansar-gadasar.
Day 4:
Gadasar-Mangandub, 3505 m.
Day 5:
Mangandub-Gangabal.
Day 6:
Day for relaxation and catching trout.
Day 7:
Gangabal-Naranag-Srinagar-Kangan. Kangang-Srinagar travel by car.
Place Description
It is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake, home to many species of fish, including the brown trout.
The lake has a maximum length of two and a half kilometres and maximum width of one kilometre. It is fed by precipitation, glaciers and springs. The lake water outflows to a nearby small lake ( Nundakol) and then via Wangath nallah to Nallah Sindh The trout fishes are present in the lake
The Gangabal lake is approached from Srinagar 45 kilometres by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag and then a trek of 15 kilometres upslopes leads to the lake, which can be covered by a horse ride or on foot. The shepherds and gujjars can be seen during the trek with their flocks of sheep and goats. Another trek (25 kilometres long) leads to the lake site from Sonamarg via the Vishansar Lake crossing the Nichnai pass ( 4100 meteres). It can also be accessed through a trek from Bandipore via Arin.