This track was identified and mapped via high-resolution satellite imagery.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Sonamarg to Naranag
The classic Kashmir Great Lakes traverse, from the meadows of Sonamarg to the temple ruins at Naranag. The trail climbs past Shekdur and the Nichnai valley to Nichnai Pass, drops to the twin lakes of Vishansar and Kishansar, crosses Gadsar Pass at about 4,200 m, the high point, and continues past Gadsar and the Satsar lakes and over Zaj Pass to Gangabal and Nundkol under Mount Harmukh, before a long descent through pine forest to Naranag.
Trail Map
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Trail Profile
General Instructions
About 67 km one way over six or seven days, with roughly 3,000 m of climbing and three passes above 4,000 m. July to mid-September is the season; snow can linger on the passes into July. There are no villages between Sonamarg and Naranag: carry or hire full camping gear and food. Streams rise quickly after rain, so cross early in the day.
Weather check
Sampling Micro-Climate...
34.3023, 75.2965
Slide to preview conditions across the entire route • Point: 34.3023, 75.2965 @ 2671m
Quick Stats
Highlights
- Camp beside Vishansar Lake below the Kishansar ridge
- Look down on Vishansar and Kishansar together from Gadsar Pass
- See Mount Harmukh reflected in Gangabal Lake
- Watch shepherds move their flocks across the high meadows
- Walk the chain of Satsar lakes between Gadsar and Zaj Pass
Field Radio Protocol
VHF-UHF Communication
Propagation Telemetry
Ridge Line
92%Gorge Floor
18%Sector Relay: Sector Alpha Relay• 12-18 KM Range
Regulatory Compliance
VHF/UHF frequencies are for monitoring and emergency coordination only. Transmitting on these bands may require an Amateur Radio License or regional government permits. Check local telecommunications laws before operation.
Technical Analysis
Total Ascent
+2959 m
Total Descent
-3356 m
Ruggedness Index
Terrain Roughness Index
Vertical displacement per km. Typical range: 0 (Smooth) to 100+ (Extreme Mountain).
93.2
Tortuosity Index
Route Curviness Index
Ratio of actual path to straight line. Typical range: 1.0 (Direct) to 3.0+ (Switchbacks).
2.23
Gradient Distribution
Surface & Hydrology
Surface Spectrum Analysis
Includes only technical water fords where the vehicle actively enters a stream or riverbed. Permanent bridges are excluded from this count.
Difficulty Analysis
Difficulty is determined by a technical multi-vector analysis of elevation profile, surface quality, and topographic intensity.
Bounding Box (WGS84)
Point Spacing: 17.2 m • Engine: TrailX Precision GPX ANALYTICS v1.0.0
Reviews & Discussion0
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Plan this trip
Before you go: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Sonamarg to Naranag
Best time to go
Jul–Sep
July to September is the main window for the Great Lakes trek and the high passes, which are usually snowbound from late October into May or June. Spring and autumn suit lower valley drives.
Navigate it offline
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