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About
The Bodpathri Lakes Trek stands out as a remarkable journey through Kashmir’s majestic meadows and alpine lakes, offering a landscape that’s truly unparalleled. This trek, located in the Pir Panjal Range, surpasses even the famed meadows of the Great Lakes trek in terms of pristine beauty and vastness. It marks our first foray into the Pir Panjal Range treks over the past decade, an area once closely monitored by the army and considered restricted.
Recently opened to trekkers, the trail begins at Doodhpathri, a lesser-known gem in Kashmir, launching a captivating adventure through the region.
Spanning a moderate difficulty level, the Bodpathri Lakes Trek enchants trekkers with its sheer tranquility and stunning vistas over six days. Wander across wide expanses of vibrant meadows, encounter numerous alpine lakes, and enjoy the coolness of forest shades.
This trek not only showcases a panoramic view of the Pir Panjal range, including peaks from Sunset to Trattakoti, but also allows trekkers to discover six mesmerizing alpine lakes, with Bodsar and Pamsar lakes being among the highlights. Damamsar lake also competes in beauty with Kashmir’s other famed alpine lakes.
Embark on a Himalayan traverse across lush grasslands and pristine lakes, all under the watchful gaze of the towering peaks of the Pir Panjal range. Picture yourself amidst expansive meadows that seem to blend seamlessly into the mountains beyond.
One of the trek’s unique aspects is its serenity. Remaining largely off the beaten path, it offers a tranquil experience away from the bustling crowds found on other trails in Uttarakhand and Kashmir, ensuring a special and intimate connection with nature.
Highlights of the Bodpathri Lakes Trek
The Bodpathri Lakes Trek is renowned for its expansive meadows that stretch endlessly, seamlessly blending into the Pir Panjal Range. Unlike any other, these vast meadows host serene flocks of grazing sheep and goats, with shepherd settlements dotting the landscape. The trek begins in the mesmerizing meadow of Doodhpathri, adorned by the flowing Dhoodhganga river, and concludes amidst the renowned meadows of Tosamaidan.
A highlight of this trek is the enchanting alpine lakes scattered throughout the region, with six standout lakes offering stunning camping spots. These lakes, set against the backdrop of the Pir Panjal valley, provide a quintessential Kashmir trekking experience, combining the tranquility of vast meadows with the beauty of alpine lakes.
How Difficult is Bodpathri Lakes Trek?
The Bodpathri Lakes Trek ranges from easy to moderate in difficulty, making it suitable for fit beginners. It encompasses a variety of terrains including meadow trails, rocky boulder areas, river fordings, as well as uphill and downhill paths. Certain challenging days, especially those involving exploration of alpine lakes and ridge ascents, can be expected. While no technical mountaineering skills are necessary, it's important for participants to be in good physical condition. Even those without prior trekking experience can complete this trek, provided they exercise caution during tricky sections like boulder navigations and river crossings. Be prepared for the ascents and descents, particularly on the final day, as they can be strenuous.
Best Time to do Bodpathri Lakes Trek
The perfect window for undertaking the Bodpathri Lakes Trek spans from July to September, coinciding with the monsoon's grasp over much of India. This period in summer provides the most suitable conditions for the trek. In contrast, the trek is off-limits during winter due to heavy snowfall. Starting from October, as autumn progresses, the paths become inaccessible because of snow accumulating at higher elevations. Similarly, during the spring months from March to May, the trek remains unreachable with snow still present in the higher areas.
How to Reach
Starting your journey to the base camp of the Bodpathri Lakes Trek involves traveling from Srinagar to Doodhpathri, which is approximately a 2-hour drive. Here’s how you can reach the starting point of the trek:
- Air Travel: Srinagar Airport serves as the nearest airport for those embarking on this trek. Upon arrival, you’ll need to hire a private taxi directly to Doodhpathri, as shared cab services are not available from the airport.
- Train Travel: For those preferring rail, the Jammu Railway Station is the closest major railway hub, connecting to various parts of India. From Jammu, you can catch a shared taxi or a bus to Srinagar. Once in Srinagar, continue your journey to Doodhpathri by cab.
- Road Travel: If you’re coming by road, your initial aim is to reach Kashmir. Upon reaching, navigate towards the Budgam district, following the roads leading to Doodhpathri. The roadways from Srinagar to the base camp are in good condition, ensuring a smooth drive.
