Great Lakes Trek

The Great Lakes Trek or Kashmir Great Lakes Trek commercially known as Sonamarg-Vishansar-Naranag Trek^[1] is an alpine himalayan high-altitude trek in the Kashmir Valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.^[2] This is the most famous trek in Kashmir. The trek is usually completed in 6-7 days and is rated as moderate-difficult in terms of terrain and trail difficulty. The trek is an absolute treat and worth every effort as one gets to see new alpine lakes, mountain peaks, passes, meadows and glaciers almost every subsequent day.^[3]

Great Lakes Trek
Twin lakes of Vishansar and Krishansar seen from Gadsar Pass.
Length	Approx. 42 miles (68 km)[1]
Location	Central Kashmir Valley
Designation	Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Trailheads	East: Sonamarg West: Naranag
Use	Hiking
Highest point	Gadsar Pass, 13,750 ft (4,190 m)
Lowest point	Naranag, 6,982 ft (2,128 m)
Difficulty	Moderate
Season	June to September
Sights	Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lakes, Gangabal Lake, Nundkol Lake
Hazards	Cold nights Warm sunny days Occasional rainfall

View of the twin lakes of Vishansar and Kishansar clicked from Gadsar pass.

Itinerary

The trek can be started from both, Sonamarg and Naranag but is generally considered to be easier if started from Sonamarg. If started from sonmargh, one does a base camp at a place called table top or 'Shaukdari'. Its a 6-7 hours trek from the point where the car leaves you and a good spot for a base camp as its inhabited by the local Gujjar-Bakarwal population and there is plenty of firewood available.

The second day is a long trek to the twin lakes of Vishansar-Kishansar via the Nichnai pass. There is a possibility of finding mobile network reception at the pass on bsnl network.

References

1. "Great Lakes Trek". Kashmir Treks. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
2. "Kashmir Great Lakes Trek". IndianExpress.com. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
3. "Kashmir Great Lakes Trek - Trek the Indian Himalayas". Indiahikes. Retrieved 31 July 2021.