AHARBAL WATERFALL in Kashmir – A Complete Travel Guide

Jammu & Kashmir

Aharbal Waterfall Kashmir

Last Updated on: May 16, 2024 

About this blog: We usually love to visit waterfalls. And Aharbal waterfall in Kashmir was no exception. We fell in love with this spectacular waterfall as soon as we set our eyes on it. This blog is about our experience of travelling to Aharbal Waterfall, an unexplored destination in Kashmir, how to reach there and other relevant information. Read on to know more.

I saw one picture of Aharbal Waterfalls. And I was totally mesmerized by it. So when we reached the entrance of the path that led to the waterfall, I could not just wait to walk down the trail towards Aharbal Waterfall.

Aharbal Waterfalls, Kulgam district, Kashmir

It is known as the Niagara of Kashmir. Although I am not quite keen on such names, Aharbal Waterfall is truly spectacular. Located in the Kulgam district of Kashmir, the waterfall seems to come straight out of a picture postcard. We had realized that Kashmir is full of surprises, and that too, pleasant ones. And the valley is much more than Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam, though all these places are heavenly and beautiful in their own rights. We travelled across Kashmir looking for unexplored destinations and found this beautiful waterfall.

Where is Aharbal located?

Aharbal, located at 7434 feet (2266 m) is a small hill station in Kashmir located in Kulgam district , about 70 km from Srinagar city. The place is known for the famous Aharbal Waterfall, also called “The Niagara of Kashmir”, because of the sheer volume of river that falls down.

IS KASHMIR SAFE FOR TOURISTS? READ MORE.

Aharbal Waterfall is formed when the Veshaw River falls 25 metres down a narrow rocky gorge of granite boulders. River Veshaw is a tributary of River Jhelum. After the drop, the river continues through the valley.

Landscape of Kashmir

Aharbal Waterfall – Our Experience

We were returning from Aru Valley and Pahalgam towards Srinagar and still had time at hand. Our friend who accompanied us throughout the trip suggested we visit Aharbal Waterfall. Well, he definitely gave us a few reasons on why we should visit Aharbal – the place is relatively unexplored by tourists. Mostly locals visit the waterfall and finally, the place is absolutely gorgeous.

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To be honest, he did not give us any reasons. We are always up and ready to explore lesser known places. So, we started from Pahalgam, crossed Anantnag and Sophian to finally reach Aharbal. As usual, the journey was quite scenic with mountains keeping us company. And the apple orchards at Sophian were absolute beauty!

Apple orchard at Sophian on the way to Aharbal

It was drizzling a bit when we reached Aharbal. Rain seems to have been a constant companion for the last few days. Infact, we could hardly explore Pahalgam as it was raining quite heavily the previous days. Nevertheless, after asking for directions, we reached Aharbal Waterfall.  We had by now realized that the social way of asking directions is best in Kashmir. Google Maps does not always give the best way to reach a place and we had learnt the hard way while looking for Kalaroos Caves in Lolab Valley.

Kashmiri boys playing cricket

There is a small ticket counter from where we had to get our tickets. The parking lot is just behind the counter. After getting our tickets, we followed the path that led to the waterfall. After walking a few metres, there was a small open area.

JKTDC Tourist Bungalow Aharbal Kashmir

At one end there was a flight of steps that led to the waterfall. On the opposite side, there was a big meadow and a Jammu and Kashmir Tourism building. There are tourist huts for accommodation, which you can book online. And beyond that, we could see the snow covered peaks of the Pir-Panjal ranges looming in the horizon. It was indeed a great sight.

Pir Panjal Range in Kashmir

To the Waterfall

But I was more excited to visit the waterfall. So we followed the steps and the trail leading to the waterfall. The Veshaw River kept us company as we walked towards the viewpoint. We could hear the sounds of the gushing river as we approached the viewpoint. And finally we could see the Aharbal Waterfall.

Unexplored Kashmir - Aharbal Waterfalls in Kulgam district

Aharbal Waterfall is a stunning one. The water gushing down from a height looks quite stunning. I have seen a number of beautiful waterfalls like the Tiuriahu Falls in Mizoram, the mighty Jog Falls and the several waterfalls in Cherrapunjee. Aharbal Waterfall is equally stunning. What it lacks in height, is compensated by the ethereally beautiful landscape of Kashmir.

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There were quite a number of locals at Aharbal Waterfall that day. Perhaps it was a holiday or a weekend that day. While travelling, we often seem to forget about weekdays and weekends. Does that happen to you as well?

Steps of Aharbal Waterfall

I loved the sound of the waters. It was pleasing to the ears, even though I could not hear what Agni was telling me from beside. I also enjoyed the caress of the water droplets on my face. This is one of the best things that I love about waterfalls.

Gorges of Aharbal Waterfall
Aharbal Waterfall - unexplored Kashmir

We spent some time at the viewpoint. The walking trail continues till the edge of the waterfall. The entire area is surrounded by fences and boundaries. As much as the waterfall is beautiful, it is also quite dangerous. A few lost their lives after slipping down the rocks to the water. Although there was a boundary, but a few daring young men found out some chink and went near the mouth of the waterfall. I could say it looked dangerous. Hope they knew what they were doing and were careful.

Beautiful landscape of Aharbal

Trekking trails from Aharbal Waterfall

We heard that there is a trekking trail from Aharbal that leads to Kausar Nag Lake and the beautiful Kungwatan meadows. Kausar Nag LAke is the source of River Veshaw. You will need 3-4 days if you want to attempt this trek. There are many beautiful trekking trails in Kashmir that we are usually not aware of. We went for one such trek, the Dumail trek in Naranag and it was totally worth it. Kashmir just kept on amazing us each day we spent there.

Meadows before Aharbal Waterfall

How to reach Aharbal Waterfall?

Aharbal is located about 75 km from Srinagar city. The distance obviously depends on the place from where you start. From Srinagar, you can hire a car to visit Aharbal Waterfall.  The route to follow is

Route 1: Srinagar – Nowgam – Pulwama – Keegam – Shopian – Aharbal Waterfall

Route 2: Srinagar – Pampore – Kakapora – Gangoo – Keegam – Shopian – Aharbal Waterfall

Both these routes take a similar amount of time. The last 15 km of the route is a steep climb.

If you are travelling to Aharbal Waterfall from any other destination (like we came from Pahalgam), you have to reach Sophian first, and then ask for directions towards Aharbal.

Mustard fields in Kashmir

Can I get shared cabs to Aharbal Waterfall?

Getting a shared cab to Aharbal Waterfall is difficult. For budget travellers, we would recommend to form a group and travel together. Shared cabs in Kashmir are mostly sumos and I don’t think that there are any direct shared sumos available from Srinagar to Aharbal.

You can get a shared sumo to Sophian and from there you have to ask about shared cabs to Aharbal. But getting it will be tough. Well, if you don’t get one, you just have to hitchhike.

Are there any buses from Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall?

There are no direct buses from Srinagar to Aharbal. If you have to take a bus, then you have to break your journey a number of times. First, take a bus from Lal Chowk in Srinagar to Shopian. From there, you have to look for shared cabs or have to hitchhike.

Aharbal Waterfalls Travel Guide

Which waterfall is known as Niagara of Kashmir?

Aharbal Waterfall, located in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir is known as the Niagara of Kashmir. The waterfall is located at an altitude of 2266 m above the sea level.

How much do private taxis from Srinagar to Aharbal cost?

A private taxi will take about Rs 2000-2500 for a day trip to Aharbal Waterfall from Srinagar, including the driver and fuel. For SUVs like Scorpio and Innova, it will cost about Rs2500, while smaller cars will cost around Rs1800-2000.

What is the best time to visit Aharbal Waterfall?

The best time to visit Aharbal Waterfall is between April and October. The place looks really gorgeous in autumn (September and October). This is the time when the leaves turn orange and the vistas look stunningly beautiful. Aharbal looks mesmerizing during the sunset in autumn.
You can also visit during the winter months, but the landscape will be a bit dull during this time. However, you will get snow all around.

Where to stay at Aharbal?

Since Aharbal is not yet developed fully for tourists, finding an accommodation is a bit difficult here. There is a J&K Tourist Bungalow where you can book a room online. When we went there in 2021, we saw a couple of homestays coming up. The place is usually visited as a day trip from Srinagar.

Is there any place to eat at Aharbal Waterfall?

There are no major restaurants or eateries. There were a few shops at the parking area from where you could get snacks, water and tea.

Are there any Banks and ATMs at Aharbal?

No, there are no banks and ATMs near the Aharbal Waterfall. The nearest ones are at Sophian.

Aharbal Unexplored Kashmir

We hope the information we provided about Aharbal was helpful to you. Kashmir is beautiful, both in scenic landscapes and in culture. Visit Kashmir with an open mind and you will be quite happy in the “Heaven on Earth”. If you have any questions about visiting Aharbal Waterfall or Kashmir, ask us in the comments below, or you can drop us a mail with your queries.

Did you find Aharbal Waterfalls beautiful? Let us know in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it with your family, friends and neighbours. 

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Aharbal Waterfall Travel Guide

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Agni Amrita Travel Blogger

Hey! we’re Agni & Amrita.

We have been travelling together since the last 15 years and writing independent and personal travel content since 2014. Travel is one of the best teachers and through this blog, we aim to share our experiences and travel tips. We encourage you to travel more and see the world through your eyes and not through filtered templates.

Find more about us.

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29 Comments

  1. Ambica Gulati

    I didn’t know about this waterfall. It looks like a really pristine place. What an awesone scenery.

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Aharbal Waterfall was quite picturesque.. Thank you for the comment.

      Reply
  2. Ramya Mishra

    This looks breathtakingly beautiful, Kashmir definitely looks like a postcard. I need to travel to that side, is it safe to travel to Kashmir? What about the security concerns?

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Kashmir is definitely safe to travel. We have a post on that topic as well. You can check that out.

      Reply
  3. Raksha

    Aharbal waterfall looks stunning. I have never visualised or heard about the waterfalls in Kashmir and it is so good to know. I will definitely add this one too to my list for Kashmir.

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Thank you Raksha!

      Reply
  4. Lancelot Quadras

    Wow. I mean the pictures can make no justice to what you actually saw. I can only dream of this beautiful view. Lovely trip this looks like.

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Thank you for the lovely comment.

      Reply
  5. Sandy N Vyjay

    We really love waterfalls, they have such an aura of serenity in spite of the sound of the gushing water. The Aharbal falls looks spectacular, the sight of the water cascading down amidst pristine settings is indeed breathtaking.

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Yes, Aharbal Waterfalls was quite beautiful.

      Reply
  6. Manisha Garg

    The waterfalls are so beautiful. From your pictures the water gives a milky look and feels milk is flowing down the hills.

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Thank you Manisha!

      Reply
  7. Priyal

    Kashmir is a very beautiful place. I haven’t been there but it’s my dream to go there once. Aharbal waterfall is looking a great place to visit

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Thank you Priyal!

      Reply
  8. Khushboo

    Aharbal Waterfall looks truly incredible! The Dumail trek in Naranag sounds lovely and I would love to explore these places during my next trip to Kashmir.

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Thank you Khusboo! I am sure you will like Kashmir.

      Reply
  9. Bedabrata Chakraborty

    So heartening that Kashmir is rising up again as one of the most beautiful destinations in India. recently some friends camped somewhere in Kashmir..

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Good to know about camping in Kashmir. Truly, the place is simply breathtaking.

      Reply
  10. Devon

    Beautiful place. What are entry ticket charges ?

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      It was INR 10 per head.

      Reply
  11. Arunabha Roy

    How far one has to walk from car park to reach Aharbal falls? Is it a difficult walk?

    Any idea whether one can drive up to Kousernag lake and Kungawatan?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      From Car Park to the Falls is hardly 5 minutes walk. There are stairs that you have to take.
      As for the rest, I think you have to trek upto Kausernag Lake and you can only reach upto a certain point in Kungawatan by car.

      Reply
  12. Arunabha Roy

    How long it takes to drive from Pahalgam to Aharbal?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      It took us around 3.5 hours. We stopped for photography breaks a few times.

      Reply
  13. Reashi

    Kashmir paradise on earth my home land aherbal

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Yes, indeed!

      Reply
  14. rajib sharma

    The waterfalls is looks amazing, your pictures are make me a virtual visit. You describe it so well. Keep it up

    Reply
  15. Swapan Chatterjee

    is it safe to stay a night at JKTDC Lodge. As I like to spent a night there

    Reply
    • Agni Amrita

      Yes, it is safe. The caretaker there is a decent person and also very helpful. However, we cannot guarantee if you will get electricity or not.

      Reply

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