Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Guide 2026: Is It Open, the Route and How to Plan for 2027

01Is the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Open?

Following the Pahalgam attack and the security review that came after it, a number of trekking routes in Kashmir, including the Great Lakes circuit through Gadsar, Krishansar, Vishansar, Satsar and Gangabal, were reported closed in 2026. By mid-2026 several established operators were reporting their KGL batches for the season as cancelled or on hold while official permission remained pending, and local operators were publicly asking for the route to be reopened.

We did not find an official notice confirming a 2026 reopening. Treat the trek as not confirmed open until the J&K Tourism Department or the district administration in Ganderbal says otherwise, and until your operator can show you written permission for your dates.

02The Trek at a Glance

• Start: Shitkadi, near Sonamarg; end: Naranag, near Kangan
• Duration: 7 to 8 days on foot
• Distance: roughly 70-75 km
• Highest point: Gadsar Pass, about 4,200 m (roughly 13,750 ft)
• Other passes: Nichnai Pass and Zaj Pass
• Season, when open: July to mid-September
• Difficulty: moderate to difficult; long days at altitude

03The Route and the Lakes

The trek climbs from Shitkadi through maple and birch forest to the meadows of Nichnai, then crosses Nichnai Pass into the valley of Vishansar lake. The twin lakes of Vishansar and Krishansar, seen together from the climb to Gadsar Pass, are the most photographed view on the trek. Beyond Gadsar the route descends past Gadsar lake to the Satsar lakes, crosses Zaj Pass, and reaches the twin lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol below Mount Harmukh before the long descent to Naranag.

In good weather the meadows are full of wildflowers and grazing flocks belonging to Gujjar and Bakarwal herders, who move up to these pastures in summer.

04Checkposts and Permissions

Even in normal years, the KGL route passes security checkpoints, including an army post on the way to Gadsar, where identities and permits are checked. Trekkers have needed to carry original government ID and to be registered through an operator or the relevant authority. In periods of heightened security, those requirements tighten and can change at short notice.

This is one of the main reasons to trek KGL with an established, registered operator rather than independently: they handle registration and stay in contact with local authorities about route status.

05How Hard Is It?

KGL is not a first Himalayan trek. The days are long, often 10-16 km, with several days crossing passes or spending hours above 3,500 m. The descent to Naranag is steep and hard on the knees. Weather can turn quickly, with cold rain and wind at the passes even in August.

If you are planning for 2027, use the waiting time well: do a shorter Himalayan trek first, such as Kedarkantha or Hampta Pass, and train for long back-to-back days.

06Planning for When It Reopens

• Watch official sources: J&K Tourism and the Ganderbal district administration
• Choose operators with a long KGL record and clear refund or transfer policies
• Keep travel bookings to Srinagar flexible until permits are confirmed
• Buy trek insurance that covers cancellation and evacuation
• Keep a backup Himalayan trek in mind for the same dates

07What to Pack (When You Go)

• A sleeping bag rated to around minus 5 degrees Celsius
• Waterproof jacket and trousers; rain at the passes is common
• Warm layers, gloves and a cap
• Original government photo ID and copies
• Trekking poles for the steep descents