Alpather Lake Trek – The Path Less Explored

We stood there on the frozen ground in awe, not able to believe the scene in front of us. Gigantic mountains blanketed in snow encircled the snowscape with a frozen lake lying in the valley below. The snow on the ground glistened like little jewels under the luminous sun. Not a single sound except the whooshing wind and no soul in sight other than the two of us and our guide. It felt as if heaven had manifested itself in front of us. This is how Alpather Lake or the Frozen Lake greeted us for the very 1st time at the onset of Winter.

Bewitched by its beauty, we decided to return again last Summer.  And it presented itself in a different yet equally magnificent form. Partially thawed, its emerald water complemented the white snow. And the path leading to the lake was dotted with wild flowers and little shrubs of different colours. 

Read on to know everything about this trek from Gulmarg. As we have visited in both seasons, you will find all aspects of this trek for both Summer and Winter. 

About Alpather Lake

Alpather Lake is a small yet scenic alpine lake lying at the foothills of the twin Apharawat Peaks. The lake is situated at an altitude of 14400 feet and stays frozen for more than half the year. That is why it is more popularly known as the Frozen Lake among locals. While the frozen lake in Winter presents an ethereal snow-covered view, Summers brings out the enchanting emerald Lake into life with the otherwise stark landscape flecked with wild flowers.

The lake can only be reached by trek from Gulmarg. As it is an offbeat place and is visited by very few people, the serenity it offers is unparalleled. But it is not just the charm of the lake, but the journey that makes it the experience of a lifetime.

Is Alpather Lake trek difficult?

Trek to Alpather Lake may not be very difficult, but it is not easy too. I would rank it as MODERATE which needs a bit of physical fitness. Most part of the trek route is steep and is strewn with boulders. 

Especially in Winter, it is easy to get out of breath every few steps while climbing the steep uphill path.  Having said that, we do not hike regularly and this was our 1st trek in the mountains, that too in Winter. Yet we could manage it with the help of our guide. In Summer the trek felt relatively easier.

Know before you take a guide

You can take a guide from Gulmarg itself or find one at the Phase 2 Gondola station.

Guides charge very high for this trek, around INR 2500 or even more (official charge is INR 1300). You need to bargain, but it does not come down a lot. This time a guy quoted INR 4000 for the trek from Phase 2 station and we finally agreed for INR 2000 including the tip.  

If you take the guide from Gulmarg, they tend to push for the activities at Gondola Phase 1 and Phase 2 due to their commission. Unless it is peak winter when the sledge or skiing path is already smoothened, avoid the activities. As part of our Winter visit (during December 1st week), there was not enough snow both in Phase 1 and 2. So the Skiing as well as Sledge ride were absolutely scary and uncomfortable. Sush even hurt his back during the sledge ride.

Guide Details

We had two different guides in Winter and Summer. They both were apt and helped us all through the trek. But given to choose, I would recommend the person who accompanied us in Summer. He is from one of the mountain villages and is a very humble person. What we liked more about him was he was not too greedy and did not bother us for more money after the trek was over which normally others do.  Here is his contact detail. Read the full article Here….