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Kashmir, famously known as the “Paradise on Earth,” becomes a magical winter wonderland when its high-altitude lakes freeze. These frozen lakes 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.
15 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: Gurez tehsil, Bandipore district, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Vishansar Lake, Zoji La Pass, Baltal Valley
Suggested Read: Famous Lakes In Jammu And Kashmir
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, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Marsar Lake, Lidder River, Aru Valley
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: Sonmarg, Ganderbal district, Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Krishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Nichnai Pass
Suggested Read: Largest Lake In Kashmir
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, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Nundkol Lake, Mount Harmukh, Naranag Temple
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: Baramula District, Foot of Apharwat Peaks, Tangmarg, Baramulla District, Jammu & Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Gulmarg Ski Resort, Khilanmarg, Apharwat Peak
Suggested Read: Lakes In Jammu
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. It is also one of the best places to visit in Kashmir.
Location: CW9P+679, Forest Block, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Gangabal Lake, Mount Harmukh, Naranag ruins
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: Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Vishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Nichnai Pass
Suggested Read: Wular Lake 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: Amarnath, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Amarnath Cave, Panchtarni, Pahalgam
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, as mentioned in any Kashmir travel guide.
Location: Pulwama, Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Tarsar Lake, Dachigam National Park, Aru Valley
Suggested Read: Manasbal Lake In Kashmir
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, each of these frozen lake Kashmir is 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: Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Gadsar Lake, Zoji La Pass, Naranag
11. Nilnag Lake
Photo: Suhail Skindar Sofi / Wikimedia Commons
Nestled in the lush meadows near Yusmarg, Nilnag Lake becomes a tranquil, icy expanse among the frozen lakes in Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by snow-blanketed pine forests and rolling hills, the lake’s turquoise waters freeze into a striking sheet that mirrors the solitude and serenity of its alpine setting. The journey here is famous for gentle treks through pristine landscapes, offering photographers and winter hikers unmatched views and peaceful silence. A local legend links Nilnag to Lord Shiva, adding a spiritual dimension to this blue haven.
Location: Nilnag Lake, Gund Shamus Yusmarg Road, Charar E Shrief, Budgam District, Jammu Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Yusmarg Meadows, Doodhpathri, Tosa Maidan
Suggested Read: Offbeat Places In Kashmir For Experiencing Raw And Unfiltered Beauty
12. Anchar Lake
Photo: Imad Clicks / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
One of the best places to visit in Kashmir, Anchar Lake transforms each winter into a captivating, frozen realm that few travellers get to witness. This vast water body, bordered by reed beds and willow groves, is a haven for migratory birds which add life to snow-laden banks. Locals use the frozen stretches for playful winterscape walks or to simply enjoy the quiet beauty unique to this place. Anchar’s proximity to old city neighborhoods offers glimpses into everyday Kashmiri life, blending urban activity with moments of frozen tranquility.
Location: Soura, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Nigeen Lake, Hazratbal Shrine, Shalimar Bagh
13. Peer Brahmsar Lake
Photo: Faraz Sufi / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Tucked away in the untouched vastness of the Pir Panjal range, Peer Brahmsar Lake freezes solid beneath shimmering peaks during the chilliest months. This hidden gem remains a place of pilgrimage and folklore, believed by locals to hold spiritual power. Hikers traverse steep snowy slopes to reach its icy basin, where stillness and mountain air inspire contemplation. The lake’s mirrored surface reflects towering summits and azure skies, casting a spell of magic that rewards both spiritual seekers and adventure lovers. Visiting Peer Brahmsar in winter is an invitation to find peace in Kashmir’s wildest high-altitude beauty.
Location: Forest Block, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Chiranbal Meadows, Zajinar River, Halan Village
Suggested Read: Wular Lake In India
14. Sarbal Lake
Photo: Azam Khan / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Sarbal Lake lies quietly near the famous Baltal Valley, offering an ethereal spectacle in winter when its waters freeze amid dramatic Himalayan scenery. The approach is a trekker’s delight, winding through snow-dusted pine forests and open meadows that glitter under the cold sun. Though relatively unknown, Sarbal’s isolation provides the rare luxury of private, breathtaking views. The frozen surface glistens with vibrant alpine light, and visitors often marvel at its untouched, haunting allure. For those who make the journey, winter at Sarbal Lake means profound solitude, wild landscapes, and a sense of being truly off the grid.
Location: 2W6P+VWV, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Brari Peak, Dragg Meadow, Dedbal Base Camp
15. Tulian Lake
Photo: Raqueeb Mir / Wikimedia Commons
Tulian Lake is a sapphire jewel, often cloaked beneath thick ice and snow during the Kashmir winter. Set between towering grassland slopes and rocky outcrops, its high-altitude position rewards trekkers with grand, panoramic vistas. As the lake freezes, it forms crystalline patterns which glitter in the sharp sunlight, creating a mesmerising mosaic against the stark white setting. Tulian’s isolation promises peaceful reflection, and stories abound of shepherds and wanderers who find inspiration in its unspoiled grandeur. With few crowds and pristine views, visiting Tulian Lake is pure winter magic, one of the best things to do in Pahalgam.
Location: Tulian Lake, Pahalgam, Anantnag District, Jammu & Kashmir
Nearby Attractions: Betab Valley, Chandanwari, Mamaleshwar Temple
Suggested Read: Lakes In Pahalgam
Frozen lakes in Kashmir 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
