Nundkol Lake or Nund Kol which is also known as Kalodaka Lake located in Jammu and Kashmir attracts a number of national and international tourists for the natural beauty.
Location of Nundkol Lake
Nundkol Lake is an oligotrophic alpine lake situated in the Kashmir Valley, in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Geography of Nundkol Lake
Nundkol Lake lies at the foothills of Mount Haramukh (5,142 metres). Gangbal Lake which is bigger and at higher elevation lies 1.5 km to the north of the lake. Surrounded by the lush green meadows, the banks of the Nundkol Lake serve as the camping site during the summers. Naranag is the nearest settlement and serves as the base camp for trekking to the lake.
Formation of Nundkol Lake
Nundkol Lake is formed from the glacial fall. Nundkol Lake is fed by Gangabal Lake and the melting glaciers of the Mount Haramukh. It gives rise to Wangath Nallah, the major right tributary of the Sindh River.
Nundkol Lake in Winter Months
During the winter, Nundkol Lake freezes and is covered by heavy snow. In the summers, the basin of the lake is surrounded by a sheet of alpine flowers. The geum, blue poppy, potentilla and gentian are relatively common. Hedysarum flowers are found in late spring throughout the area around the lake. Nundkol Lake is stocked with trout among of which is the brown trout. The fishing is permitted to the licensed anglers.
Attraction in Nundkol Lake
The alpine meadows of Trunakhul and Badpathri in Nundkol Lake attract most to the tourists. It lies at the halfway point of this two-day trek to the lake. An alternate trek starts from Chattergul village, 10 km to the west of Naranag which leads through the meadows of Mahlish. The lake can also be accessed through Bandipora and the five-day trekking starting point is Arin. The tourists prefer Naranag trek and return via Gadsar Lake, Vishansar Lake and Sonamarg region of Jammu and Kashmir to cover most alpine lakes of the area.
Visiting Information
Nundkol Lake is accessible only during the summer; during the winter, the treks in Nundkol Lake are closed because of the heavy snowfall. Nundkol Lake can be reached from Srinagar of Srinagar District in Jammu and Kashmir, via a 65 km motorable road which leads through Ganderbal District and Wayil to the Naranag trekking camp.
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