Exploring the majestic glacial lakes in Kalam Valley

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Exploring the majestic glacial lakes in Kalam Valley

FAZAL KHALIQ

With the height of 12,565 feet above sea level Godar Lake provides a gorgeous trekking destination


MINGORA: Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Swat State in 1961, rightly, called it the Switzerland of the East as Swat is an abode of high mountains, green meadows, tall waterfalls and clear lakes.

The pastoral valley offers every luxury to nature lovers and adventure seekers, however, to explore its over 50 glacial lakes one has to trek on the narrow bends and steep cliffs.

Reaching Godar lake requires mental strength and endurance because the trail is dangerous and quite long.


Among them Godar Dhand is one of the most beautiful lakes, located in Kalam Valley. With the height of 12,565 feet above sea level, reaching the lake required mental strength and endurance because the trail is not only dangerous but also exasperating.

Half the way to Godar Lake there is a beautiful vast pasture known as Jabbato.


"When I started trekking to Godar lake with my friends I was happy but my excitement vanished when I saw a steep rock with a wooden ladder and a dangerous rock where one has to use all fours like a monkey. However, I collected strength of heart and mind and climbed it," said Abdul Rauf Khan, a resident of Mingora who reached the lake after trekking for nine hours.

"There was serenity and natural beauty on the pasture," Abdul Rauf Khan said about Godar Lake.


He said there was a beautiful vast pasture known as Jabba half the way to the lake with a stream of crystalline water flowing in a zig-zag manner and hundreds of animals grazing.

Trekkers make their way up the mountains to reach Godar Lake.

 

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"There was serenity and natural beauty on the pasture. From there we climbed another rocky hill and reach the lake after covering a 3 hours distance," he said.

About the wooden ladder on a steep rock in the middle of the trail to Godar Shehla Anjum, a Pakistani American writer, who lives in Alasaka said, "I think this is the kind of ladder that the Chinese monk Faxian also writes about in his book about his journey, and how he used a ladder to get down to the Indus River to cross it, as he made his way toward Uddiyana (Swat)."

Very few people manage to reach Godar lake due to its long and dangerous trail.


"This is an ancient design Faxian used this kind, or a similar ladder, way back in the early years the 5th century," she told Dawn.

Javed Ahmad a resident of Kalam who loves to explore the alpine lakes in Swat Kohistan said that majority of people who wanted to see the lake returned back due to its long and dangerous trail.

Godar Dhand Lake is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Kalam Valley.


"About 90 percent residents of Kalam have also not seen this lake. There is a chain of lakes after this lake as it starts from Godar to Dararro lake, Zahro lake, Tor Dhand or Black lake, Spin Khwar lake and the chain ends with Kandol lake," he said.

Bishigram Lake

Of the over 50 lakes, Bishigram Lake is the most majestic.

"Emerald coloured lake silhouetted against the blue sky has wow factor in it," said a trekker.

A view of the glacial lake Bashigram


The glacial lake is located in the alpine zone of Bashigram Valley near Madyan. Reaching a height of 11,500 feet Bishigram is a perfect spot to satisfy "summit fever" of adventure lovers.

Tariq Aziz a regular mountain climber who was sitting along the lake enjoying serenity of the site, said that he found respite from the struggles of the routine life by seeing here alpine peaks, glaciers and peaceful nature.

Bashigram Lake can be reached after five to seven hours of trekking from Kas village, Kalam.

The glacial lake is located in the alpine zone of Bashigram Valley near Madyan.


The enchanting Bashigram Lake can be reached after five to seven hours trekking from Kas village after traversing outstanding panoramic views and beautiful mud-made hamlets now and then.

The hard trek is worth the views at the glacial lake. Trekkers rest at the edge of Bishigram Lake


"We reached the incredibly charming alpine lake by trekking along the gushing stream, thick forest and some mysterious but attractive hamlets on the trail. Emerald coloured lake silhouetted against the blue sky has wow factor in it while the mountains around it giving a look of high wall," said Fazlullah a trekker from Manglore village,

A rest is necessary after reaching the water body — Bashigram Lake

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The enchanting Bashigram Lake can be reached after five to seven hours trekking.


He added that trekkers who come here must spend atleast two nights to properly take in the rich scenery.

Haji Badar a guide from Kas village said that the lake was not only popular with Pakistani trekkers but also by international tourists. "Last week I came with a couple from UK who seemed much impressed with the spot. They said the lake was one of the most beautiful in the world," he said.

However, some trekkers were sad to see plastic bottles in the lake and they urged the visitors to the lake not to pollute the natural beauty.

The trek to Bashigram Lake is surrounding by serene and outstanding panoramic landscape

Pine trees surround the mountains enclosing the lake

Bashigram Lake is located in the alpine zone of Bashigram Valley reaching a height of 11,500 feet

A majestic view near Bashigram Lake in Kalam Valley.