Ratti Gali lake

Ratti Gali is a small alpine lake set high in the Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir. Snow and glacier melt feed it, and for a few summer months the water sits clear below bare ridges.

The lake lies above the village of Dowarian, on the western side of the Neelum Valley. A rough jeep track climbs from the valley floor to a trailhead, and a short walk continues to the water. The season is short. Snow can linger into June and returns in October, so most visits fall between early June and late September.

How the day goes

1. MorningLeave DowarianStart early from Dowarian. The jeep track is rough and slow, and the climb takes a few hours in good conditions.
2. MiddayWalk to the lakeFrom the trailhead, a path climbs gently across open ground to the lake shore. Allow an hour or more for the walk.
3. AfternoonAt the waterSpend time by the lake. The water is cold and the ground can be boggy. Clouds often build after midday.
4. Late afternoonReturn to DowarianDescend to the trailhead and take the jeep back down. Aim to reach the valley floor before dark.
5. EveningStay in the valleyOvernight stays are usually in Dowarian or further along the Neelum Valley. Camping near the lake is possible but cold.

Where it starts

The trip starts at Dowarian, a village on the Neelum Valley road south of Kel. From Dowarian, a local jeep climbs to a trailhead below the lake, and a path continues on foot.

The lake and its setting

Ratti Gali sits in a shallow bowl on the western side of the Neelum Valley, at an altitude usually given as around 3,700 metres. The lake is fed by snowmelt and small glaciers above it. In summer the water is clear and cold, and the surrounding slopes are open grassland dotted with rocks. There are no trees at this height.

The lake is not large. A path runs along part of the shore, and the walk around the water takes less than an hour. The ground can be soft and wet, especially after rain. The setting is quiet, with wide views across the valley to the ridges on the eastern side.

Water and weather

The lake is frozen for much of the year. It usually clears by late June and begins to freeze again in October. Even in midsummer, air temperatures at the lake are cool, and cloud can move in quickly. Snowfall is possible outside the main season.

Getting to Ratti Gali

The usual route leaves the Neelum Valley road at Dowarian, a village south of Kel. From Dowarian, a rough jeep track climbs for several hours to a trailhead below the lake. The track is steep in places and crosses side streams. Local drivers know the route and are usually hired in Dowarian.

From the trailhead, a footpath continues uphill to the lake. The walk is not long but the altitude makes it slower than the distance suggests. Allow an hour or more each way, and carry water. In poor weather the path can be muddy and slippery.

Permits and advice

Parts of Azad Kashmir near the Line of Control can require a No Objection Certificate (NOC), and rules change. Check current official advice before travelling. The Neelum Valley road itself is generally open in summer, but landslides can close it after heavy rain.

Season and practicalities

The practical season for Ratti Gali runs from early June to late September. Before June, snow may block the track and the path. After September, early snow can return. July and August are the warmest months but also the wettest, and afternoon cloud is common.

There are no shops, restaurants or accommodation at the lake. Everything needed for the day should be carried from Dowarian or further down the valley. Mobile phone coverage is limited and unreliable above the valley floor. A local guide is often hired for the walk, particularly in poor visibility.

What to expect

Facilities are minimal. The trailhead may have a small tea stall in season, but this is not guaranteed. Toilets are not provided. Visitors should take all rubbish back down the valley. The lake is a fragile environment and the season is short.

Frequently asked questions