Ratti Gali Lake Trek
Ratti Gali Lake has become a famous tourists destination for its exquisite. Moreover, a view of two lakes known as Chotti (small) Ratti Gali lake and Bari (larger) Ratti Gali Lake, with a water splashing waterfall named Ratti Gali waterfall, has made it the must-visit place in beautiful Neelum Valley.
It is a beautiful and imaginary scenic point, with all-natural views like a glacial lake in the feet of snow-capped high mountains, with pinkish and blueish flowers on a velvet-like lush green meadow, and cool breeze is playing music in your surroundings, making it a paradise on earth.
Moreover, the multi-colored, cold, and transparent water of the Ratti Gali Lake is adding to the marvelous beauty of this place. Pakistan is a country known as a tourists country as Pakistan has a number of tourists destinations to attract tourists.
Chhoti Ratti Gali Lake and waterfall
Rati Gali Lake, situated in the middle of high glacial cliffs, and its water, falls below its discharge point, giving rise to a beautiful and large waterfall. And in the same place, a short distance away, due to this waterfall, another small but charming lake is formed which is called Chhoti Rati Gali Lake.
Both of these spots can be seen during the hiking trek to Rati Gali Lake. Due to the distance, this waterfall looks small, but when approached, its size and beauty are clear.
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Where is Ratti Gali located? (Hiking Track)
Ratti Gali Lake is an alpine glacial lake located at an elevation of 3683 m (12083 ft) in the Neelum valley district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It takes 2.5 hours trekking to get there from its base camp. It is a very elegant lake in terms of its amazing scenic views.
How do I get to Ratti Gali Lake?
It is 18 km away from the Dowarian village or town in Neelum valley district, of Azad Kashmir administrated by Pakistan. By hiring a four-by-four Jeep that cost about Rs. 6500 (35 Dollars) in tourism season you can reach to Ratti Gali base camp, it is about 15 km away from Dawaria that takes about 3.5 hours to reach.
Then major activity to reach Ratti Gali Lake starts, that is hiking trek. It is about 2 to 3 km away on an upward track from Ratti Gali base camp that you can easily complete in about 2 hours. You can hire a horse ride as well at R. 500 (3 Dollars) to get there, without any discomfort.
How to reach Ratti Gali Lake from Islamabad/Muzaffarabad?
To reach Ratti Gali Lake from Islamabad you have to travel about 130 km. Start your journey on Murree Express Highway (E-75), then from Kohala interchange take S-2 (Kohala-Muzaffarabad Road).
By traveling on this road you will not enter in urban areas of the beautiful Murree hill station, it will save your time and your arrival to Muzaffarabad would be in about 4 hours. You can hire a taxi, or bus to get there as both services are available easily.
Muzaffarabad to Ratti Gali Lake
Once you reached Muzaffarabad a beautiful capital city of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan your next destination should be Dowarian village in the Neelum district that is about 140 km away from Muzaffarabad.
It takes more than 5 hours to reach Dowarian from Muzaffarabad, not due to any bad condition of the road, but its scenic landscapes and sharp turns can cause to slow down your speed.
Moreover, it is a paved and beautiful road with a number of splendid views from Muzaffarabad to Dowarian. From Dowarian you can easily hire a jeep to get to Ratti Gali Lake as I mentioned above. during this distance, you can visit Chilehana village a crossing point at Loc.
Can we camp at Ratti Gali Lake?
Yes, you can camp at Ratti Gali Lake, if weather conditions are suitable and you have enough sources to spend a night there.
But it could be one of your coldest nights ever to be spent because as I mentioned above Ratti Gali Lake is an alpine glacial lake and the atmosphere can be far worst than your imagination at night.
So I recommend you to stay and camp there in Ratti Gali base camp, there are enough facilities at a nominal price.
Is Ratti Gali open?
Ratti Gali remains open for tourism from May to September, but the best time to visit Ratti Gali lake is from the end of June to the end of August Because most of its snow goes vanished due to hot weather and it shows all its splendid resplendent.
Ratti Gali Lake photo gallery
