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Kashmir, famously known as the “Paradise on Earth,” becomes a magical winter wonderland when its high-altitude lakes freeze. Each frozen lake in Kashmir, surrounded by towering snow-covered peaks, is surreal, with expansive ice fields, no human sounds, and a sensation of complete peace. To reach these lakes in winter takes grit, the right equipment and often a multi-day slog through knee-deep snow. But for the brave hearts who do, the sight of a frozen Kashmiri lake is worth the chill. If you’re a trekker, photographer, or nature lover, these frozen terrains are bound to offer an unrivalled experience.
10 Frozen Lakes In Kashmir During Winter
Each frozen lake in Kashmir tells a different story with its breathtaking beauty. Explore the following stunning lakes.
1. Gadsar Lake
Photo: Mehrajmir13 / Wikimedia Commons
Gadsar Lake is one of the enchanting high-altitude lakes that get completely frozen in winter, transforming it into a beautiful phenomenon of snow and ice. Perched at 3,600 meters, it is inaccessible for much of the year, frozen solid except in summer when it thaws to some degree. In winter, the lake is one solid mass of ice, melding beautifully with the peaks around it that are laden with snow. The Gadsar Trek is one of the most beautiful yet most difficult routes in Kashmir that is part of the Great Lakes Trek. During the frozen months, the lake lies eerily still with no ripples, no reflections, just an expanse of solid ice.
Location: Near Sonmarg, on the Great Lakes Trek route
Nearby Attractions: Vishansar Lake, Zoji La Pass, Baltal Valley
Access Difficulty: Requires a strenuous multi-day trek, no direct roads
2. Tarsar Lake
Photo: Alfaaz Aabid / Wikimedia Commons
Exploring the frozen Tarsar Lake, which is a breathtaking lake in the Aru Valley, it becomes barren during the winter period. Situated at an altitude of 3795 meters, it is a beautiful but relatively less visited frozen lake in Kashmir. The crescent-shaped lake remains frozen from December to March; ice sheets have even occasionally persisted into April. Surrounding Tarsar are vast meadows that turn into a snow-covered paradise in the winter. Tarsar is a popular trek in the summer, but in the winter it’s a whole different journey.
Location: Anantnag district, near Aru Valley
Nearby Attractions: Marsar Lake, Lidder River, Aru Valley
Access Difficulty: Moderate to difficult trek
3. Vishansar Lake
Photo: Critical koshur / Wikimedia Commons
Known as the “Lake of Vishnu,” Vishansar Lake is a glacial lake and remains completely frozen in winter months when it turns into a still frozen plane. At an elevation of 3,710 meters, this lake forms an important part of the popular Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. The frozen form of Vishansar is a treasured view, with the lake covered in plates of thick ice and the nearby peaks filled with dense snow. In the heart of winter, during the brief months of January and February, the surface is firm enough to walk on, but the freezing winds mean that it’s hard.
Location: Near Sonmarg, on the Great Lakes Trek
Nearby Attractions: Krishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Nichnai Pass
Access Difficulty: Requires trekking, no road access
4. Gangabal Lake
Photo: Irfanrulz / Wikimedia Commons
Nestled at the foot of Mount Harmukh, Gangabal Lake is one of Kashmir’s most sacred and unspoiled high-altitude lakes. In winter, it becomes a huge sheet of frozen lake in Kashmir, reflective of the towering snow-capped peaks surrounding it. With an altitude of 3,575 meters, the Kashmiri Hindus hold the lake in high regard as a spiritual counterpart of the Ganges. The winter trek to Gangabal is challenging and trekkers have to walk on icy paths while dealing with subzero temperatures and knee-deep snow. Once the lake is frozen solid, its surreal beauty is magnified by the valley’s silence.
Location: Ganderbal district, near Naranag
Nearby Attractions: Nundkol Lake, Mount Harmukh, Naranag Temple
Access Difficulty: Requires a strenuous trek, deep snow in winter
5. Alpather Lake
Photo: Sahid Vaidya / Wikimedia Commons
Alpather Lake is located near the famed Gulmarg ski slopes. This high-altitude lake is frozen for approximately seven months of the year at an altitude of 4,390 m, from November to May. Amidst the lofty Apharwat Peak, the lake offers a jaw-dropping frozen view. It is a more accessible remote frozen lake in Kashmir, and you can trek to Alpather from Gulmarg or take a pony ride in summer. Winter visits are permitted only for expert trekkers and skiers. In the coldest months, the delicate falls that spill into the lake freeze midstream, resulting in breathtaking ice sculptures.
Location: Near Gulmarg, under Apharwat Peak
Nearby Attractions: Gulmarg Ski Resort, Khilanmarg, Apharwat Peak
Access Difficulty: Moderate trek from Gulmarg, ski route available
6. Nundkol Lake
Photo: Mehrajmir13 / Wikimedia Commons
Tucked away at the foot of Mount Harmukh is Nundkol Lake, a hidden winter wonderland that stays a frozen body of water from November until April. Situated at an altitude of 3,500 m, this lake is adjacent to Gangabal Lake. Here, the winter landscape is stunning, with frozen blue-white ice crust pans over the lake, while the towering Harmukh peak looms in the background like a protector. During the winter, an extreme challenge awaits, as it is an extensive trek over snow-stained meadows and frozen ridges.
Location: Ganderbal district, near Gangabal Lake
Nearby Attractions: Gangabal Lake, Mount Harmukh, Naranag ruins
Access Difficulty: Strenuous winter trek requires experience in high-altitude hiking
7. Krishansar Lake
Photo: Mehrajmir13 / Wikimedia Commons
During winters, you can find beautiful frozen Krishansar Lake, the twin lake of Krishansar Lake, along the Great Lakes Trek. Sitting at 3,710 meters, it remains buried under tons of snow and ice from between November and April. A vibrant blue in summer, the lake becomes a massive flat ice field in winter as it blends into the snow-blanketed surroundings. Unlike any other frozen lake in Kashmir, Krishansar is bordered by towering cliffs on either side, giving it an even more secluded feel in winter.
Location: Near Vishansar Lake, part of the Great Lakes Trek
Nearby Attractions: Vishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Nichnai Pass
Access Difficulty: Multi-day trek required, high risk of avalanches in winter
8. Sheshnag Lake
Photo: Photos Worldwide / Wikimedia Commons
Visited on the Amarnath Yatra route, Sheshnag Lake is a glacial lake that takes the form of a frozen wonderland during the harsh Kashmiri winters. The lake is named for the mythical multi-headed serpent Sheshnag and rests at an altitude of 3,590 meters. It is a revered pilgrimage site in summer but inaccessible in winter by heavy snowfall. From December, thick ice coats the lake, with mountains surrounding it creating a dramatic frozen picture. Satellite imagery has documented its frozen changeover, a transformation in which sheer sheets of white cover the body of water, making it undetectable in wide-angle views.
Location: Near Pahalgam, along the Amarnath Yatra trail
Nearby Attractions: Amarnath Cave, Panchtarni, Pahalgam
Access Difficulty: Highly challenging in winter, extreme weather conditions
9. Marsar Lake
Photo: Alfaaz Aabid / Wikimedia Commons
Twin to Tarsar Lake, Marsar Lake is a mysterious frozen paradise, shrouded in thick mist and snow. Situated at an altitude of 3,790 meters, this high-altitude lake is frozen for a good part of the winter and disappears into the snowy landscape. Marsar, unlike Tarsar, is much more elusive and has the title of the mysterious lake. In summer, the lake is drifting with fog, while winter brings a dangerous landscape of shifting ice. According to local folklore, Marsar is haunted, and villagers in nearby Aru Valley try to stay away from it.
Location: Anantnag district, near Tarsar Lake
Nearby Attractions: Tarsar Lake, Dachigam National Park, Aru Valley
Access Difficulty: Highly challenging due to unpredictable terrain and thick snow
10. Satsar Lakes
Photo: Mehrajmir13 / Wikimedia Commons
The Satsar Lakes are a sequence of seven interlinked high-altitude lakes that become frozen solid in the depths of a Kashmiri winter. Found at an elevation of 3,600 meters, these lakes are spread out over a massive valley and are covered in snow between December and March. Summer itself is fed by melting glaciers that drain into the lakes, while in winter the lakes are a network of ice patches that sometimes stitch together and form a single solid mass. The area is rugged and it is difficult to reach the Satsar Lakes in winters, with deep snow making the trek extremely strenuous.
Location: Near Sonmarg, along the Great Lakes Trek
Nearby Attractions: Gadsar Lake, Zoji La Pass, Naranag
Access Difficulty: Requires a multi-day trek, extreme winter conditions
Kashmir’s frozen lakes provide a shining example of nature’s airy magnificence. With everything from the easily accessible lakes close to Gulmarg to the remote lakes on the Great Lakes Trek, each frozen lake in Kashmir has its beauty and challenges. For adventure seekers, solitude seekers, or photography enthusiasts, these frozen wonders are worth the trek. So plan your trip with TripXL and hike through unspoiled nature.
Cover Photo: Rajarshi MITRA / Wikimedia Commons
