Alpather Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake that is situated at the twin peaks of Apharwat, and Gulmarg at an elevation of 4500 meters (14700 feet). Alpather lake is an offbeat place in Kashmir that is a well-kept secret. It is known as the Frozen Lake, which is due to its nature of being frozen from November until mid-June. The place resembles the famous Lake Louise of Canada and can be visited for a one-day trek from Gulmarg. Alpather lake makes for a perfect trekking and ice-skating site for all those who love the mountain lakes.

How does the trek start?

The trek towards this beautiful lake starts from the meadows of Gulmarg which are about 50 kilometers away from Srinagar city. The trek is definitely not a cakewalk and not for the faint-hearted ones. You need to be prepared properly for this trek. Trekkers need to start their journey from Gulmarg in the early morning. The first stop one gets en route to the trek is Seven Spring which is also known as Kangandori. This was not so hard to reach Seven Spring from the ground of Gulmarg. You can meet lots of tourists on the way and would be the easiest part of your trek. After reaching Seven Spring, The next stop is Khilanmarg. After a long trek of about 8 hours and 7000 feet, you finally reach Alapather Lake.

Should one hire a guide for the trek?

Yes, one is required to hire a guide for this trek, as trekking in Kashmir is very different from the other parts of India. There is not a specific way for this lake from the seven springs. We need to make our own. We need to walk on snow, opposite the floating waterfall and rockery stones. I prefer you to hire a local guide for safe trekking to Alpather Lake in Gulmarg, Kashmir.

Tips for Alpather Lake Trek

• Always Carry a Tent and Sleeping Bag. The weather in Gulmarg changes instantly. you should always carry a tent while going on a trek like this.
• Keep in mind to carry Your Rain Coat and Warm Jacket. One can find warmth in the Gulmarg ground area but once you reach the upper side, you will find the temperature minus as well.
• It is essential to carry a Sunscreen Lotion, The sunlight in the snow is really harmful. It is advised to carry a sunscreen lotion of SPF 40+.
• Never go alone on a trek ensure that you always go with a group of experienced guides.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit and see this lake in the liquid state is during the summers. July-September is the perfect time for visiting Alpather Lake and spending some good quality time in nature.

AlpatherLake has the perfect setting for nature photography and has made this place a favorite among nature lovers as well as photographers and also one of the top lakes in Kashmir.