The Gangbal lake is situated at the foothills of Haramukh Mountain in Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley and covers a total area of 167 hectares. Apart from being a very popular trekking spot, its a famous pilgrim site as well.  
 
Adjacent to Gangbal is another famous lake, the 'Nundkol lake'. Both lakes derive their source from glaciers of Harmukh which is the second highest peak of Kashmir valley and is visible from most of the places in the valley. The altitude of the peak is 5150 metres. Harmukh peak has been climbed many times and only last year it was been climbed by Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Hiking Cub (JKMHC).  
 
Gangbal is one of the important halting stations on the seven lake trek also known as the 'Great Lakes trek'. This trek, which is 65 kms long, is considered as the one the best in the entire Himalayas. The seven lakes trek involves crossing of 3 passes, each over 4000 metres high.  
 
The trek to Gangbal starts from Naranag where the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Buteshwara is located. This ASI monument is being frequented by tourists, pilgrims and archaeologists.  
 
Gangbal lake was stocked by Britishers with trout fish. Since then the brown trout, and rainbow trout thrives along with the native snow trout. The stream draining the Naranag valley joins river Sindh near Kangan. This stream is known as 'Kanaknaz Naala'.  
 
How to Reach?  
The Gangabal lake is approached from Srinagar 45 kilometres by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag and then a trek of 12.5 kilometres upslopes leads to the lake, which can be covered by a horse ride or by foot. The shepherds and gujjars can be seen during the trek with their flocks of sheep and goats. Another trek (25 kilometres long) leads to the lake site from Sonamarg via the Vishansar Lake crossing the Nichnai pass ( 4100 meteres). It can also be accessed through a trek from Bandipore via Arin.  
 
 
Best time to visit  - June to October.