Most Beautiful Lakes in Azad Kashmir: A Complete Guide
Azad Kashmir is blessed with some of the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan. Turquoise alpine pools, calm forest lakes and vast reservoirs dot the land. High peaks, wildflowers and pine forests frame their shining waters. Ratti Gali, Chitta Katha and Banjosa rank among the very finest. This guide gathers the most beautiful lakes in Azad Kashmir. It ranks the top lakes for the curious traveller planning a trip.
This guide offers a general overview. Details and figures vary between sources.
Quick answer: Azad Kashmir is famous for its stunning lakes. Most beautiful are Ratti Gali Lake with its turquoise water and wildflowers, plus the high, remote Chitta Katha Lake. Shounter Lake and the hidden Hans Raj and Kala Sar lakes reward the adventurous. For gentler beauty, Banjosa Lake near Rawalakot the vast Mangla Lake near Mirpur, plus Subri Lake near Muzaffarabad are easy to reach. Zalzal Lake in Hattian Bala adds a natural wonder. Most alpine lakes are best visited from July to September.
Ratti Gali Lake
Ratti Gali Lake is the most famous and beautiful alpine lake in Azad Kashmir. Turquoise water rests high among the peaks at around 3,700 metres. Red and pink wildflowers ring the shore through the summer months. A rough jeep ride from Dowarian and a short trek reach the lake. Many travellers rate it the finest single sight in the whole area.
Chitta Katha Lake
Chitta Katha Lake is a stunning high lake set deep in the Shounter area. It rests at around 4,100 metres among the highest lakes in the area. Snow capped peaks and bare slopes frame its clear white water. A long jeep ride from Kel and a hard trek reach the shore. Fit and adventurous trekkers rate it a true reward for the effort.
Shounter Lake
Shounter Lake is a lovely glacial lake in the green Shounter Valley near Kel. Calm water rests in a broad valley ringed by snow peaks. Wild irises and meadows line the shore through the summer. A jeep ride from Kel reaches the lake with little trekking needed. Its easy access and peaceful setting make it a favourite for camping.
Banjosa Lake
Banjosa Lake is a pretty man made lake ringed by pine forests near Rawalakot. Calm water mirrors the surrounding hills in a peaceful, scenic setting. Small boats can be hired to drift across the surface. Lakeside walks and picnics make it a favourite with families and couples. Its cool, fresh air offers a restful escape from the plains.
Hans Raj and Kala Sar Lakes
Hans Raj and Kala Sar are hidden alpine lakes beyond Ratti Gali in the Neelum area. Clear high water rests among lonely peaks far from the crowds. Few visitors reach these remote lakes a reward for the keenest trekkers. Wildflowers and bare slopes surround their quiet, mirror like shores. Adventurous walkers prize them for their solitude and untouched beauty. A long trek beyond the Ratti Gali base camp reaches this lonely corner.
Mangla Lake
Mangla Lake is a vast reservoir near Mirpur, formed by one of the great dams on earth. Blue water spreads wide behind the huge Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River. Boating, water sports and old forts such as Ramkot ring its shores. A long shoreline and open water make it a popular recreation spot. Families enjoy its boats, jet skis and lakeside picnics.
Subri Lake
Subri Lake is a calm, pretty lake near Muzaffarabad, easy to reach from the city. Still water rests among gentle green hills close to the capital. A short drive brings visitors to its quiet, scenic shore. Boating and lakeside strolls make it a relaxing half day trip. Its closeness to Muzaffarabad adds to its appeal for a quick outing.
Zalzal Lake
Zalzal Lake is a natural lake in the Hattian Bala area, formed by a landslide. A great slip of earth blocked a stream and created this quiet body of water. Green hills and forest surround its calm, mirror like surface. A short trip from the main road reaches this unusual natural wonder. History and nature lovers alike find it a fascinating stop. Its name recalls the earthquake that reshaped these hills years ago.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most beautiful lakes in Azad Kashmir? Azad Kashmir is home to many beautiful lakes, ranging from high alpine pools to gentle forest lakes. Most famous is Ratti Gali Lake, celebrated for its turquoise water and wildflower meadows. Other stunning alpine lakes include the high Chitta Katha the glacial Shounter Lake, plus the hidden Hans Raj and Kala Sar lakes. For easier beauty, Banjosa Lake near Rawalakot the vast Mangla Lake near Mirpur, plus Subri Lake near Muzaffarabad are all lovely and accessible. Zalzal Lake, formed by a landslide near Hattian Bala adds a natural wonder to the list.
Which is the most beautiful lake in Azad Kashmir? Ratti Gali Lake is widely regarded as the most beautiful lake in Azad Kashmir, plus one of the finest in all Pakistan. Its brilliant turquoise water, fed by glacial melt and ringed by red and pink wildflowers in summer, creates a truly breathtaking scene. Set high among the peaks at around 3,700 metres, it rewards the rough jeep ride and trek needed to reach it. That said the higher Chitta Katha Lake and the peaceful, pine ringed Banjosa Lake also have many admirers, so the finest lake is partly a matter of personal taste.
How do you reach the alpine lakes? Most of the alpine lakes of Azad Kashmir are reached by a combination of a rough jeep ride and a trek, starting from villages in the Neelum Valley. Ratti Gali, for example is reached from Dowarian by a jeep track to a base camp, followed by a short trek. Chitta Katha and Shounter are reached from Kel. A rough approach it is with demanding treks, so a four wheel drive jeep and a local guide are strongly recommended. By contrast, Banjosa, Mangla and Subri lakes are easily reached by car on good roads.
When is the best time to visit the lakes? A prime window to visit the alpine lakes runs from July to September, when the snow has melted enough to open the jeep tracks and trails. August is often the finest month, when the water is at its most vivid and the meadows are covered in wildflowers. Outside this window, heavy snow freezes the high lakes and blocks the routes. A gentler set the lower lakes such as Banjosa, Mangla and Subri stay open across a longer season from spring to autumn. They make a good choice outside the peak summer months.
Are the lakes suitable for families? Some lakes in Azad Kashmir are very family friendly, while others suit only adventurous travellers. An easy set the accessible lakes such as Banjosa, Mangla and Subri are perfect for families. They offer boating, picnics and gentle walks on good roads. A tougher tier the high alpine lakes such as Ratti Gali, Chitta Katha and the hidden Hans Raj and Kala Sar lakes involve rough jeep rides and treks. These suit older children and fit adults rather than young families. Choosing lakes to match your group and pace makes for the best experience.
Shining waters of Kashmir
These lakes hold the shining waters at the heart of Azad Kashmir. Turquoise alpine pools, calm forest lakes and vast reservoirs dot the land. High peaks, wildflowers and pine forests frame their beautiful waters. Ratti Gali, Chitta Katha and Banjosa rank among the very finest. Few lands hold so many stunning lakes within so small an area. Come to discover the most beautiful lakes this paradise has to offer.
You may come for the turquoise water the pines or the peace. These shining lakes reward the curious traveller time and again. You can trek to the wildflower shores of the high Ratti Gali Lake. You can drift by boat across the calm water of Banjosa Lake. You can camp beside the glacial waters of Shounter beneath the stars. Come to discover the most beautiful lakes in Azad Kashmir.
