Alpather Lake lies at 3,843 m in a high cirque just below the Afarwat ridge, a forty-minute walk from the upper Gondola station. The route follows a broad path across snowfields and boulder slopes; in early summer you will almost certainly need to cross patches of firm snow.
The lake remains frozen well into June. When it finally thaws it becomes a vivid, cold blue surrounded by snow-streaked ridges — one of the most beautiful alpine scenes in Kashmir. In good weather you can see Nanga Parbat from the lakeside.
The walk is straightforward but the altitude is serious: allow time to acclimatise at the Gondola's upper station before setting out, and bring a windproof layer. Ponies are available from Kongdori for those who prefer to ride.