MINGORA: Located at about 11,500 following a long and stunning hike in Swat valley and nestled amid snow capped alpine peaks, Daral Lake in Swat valley holds transcendental beauty for nature lovers.

The scenic Swat valley, which was once known as Uddiyana (Garden), has every luxury on the offering for tourists, researchers, historians, archaeologists and nature lovers.

The valley lies in the lap of Hindu Kush-Kakakoram-Himalaya range and houses some of the most stunning lakes, forests, meadows, waterfalls, streams and rivers, and more.

Located on the confluence of Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges in Bahrain valley, Daral Lake can be accessed through different routes.

It can be accessed after climbing for four hours from Bahrain. Alternatively, it can be reached from Sidgai Lake to the northeast after two hours of rigorous trekking or tourists can also find their to the lake from Lalku valley after a six hours long trek.

The fourth route is from Gabina Jabba which is the most charming route full of colourful flowers, lush green meadows, thick forests, streams and trickles of crystal clear water.

“The trail is beautiful, full of nature, blended with small colourful flowers, roaring streams of unadulterated water, lush green pastures with animals grazing here and there, big and small glaciers and dense forests,” said Khalil Jibran, a lecturer in Malakand University.

Though the trail is tiresome but trekkers forget the labour after seeing all these natural beauties, he added.

“We started our journey from Lalku valley through Gabina jabba. We had to spent a night on the way before reaching here,” said Etizaz Ali Jan a medical student who was part of a group of trekkers.

The weather is very cold here as we can see several glaciers and snow around us, said Ali.

The amoeba shaped lake is an illustration of pristine beauty surrounded by sky touching mountains with panoramic views.

Other members of the group said they were amazed by the very first scene of the gorgeous lake.

“This is really a beautiful and stunning lake giving an exhilarating view after a rigorous climb. The lake is calm and serene but mysterious and striking. I feel like I am in paradise,” said Shah Ashagar Khan, an engineering student who had been dreaming to see the lake for a long time.

Among the visitors were some people who said they wanted to escape the mundane life and spend sometime amid nature and serenity.

“When I sense the need of taking shelter from the busy life, I go to some far off place in search of inner satisfaction. Here I find solace and spirituality which I need the most,” said Amjad Ali Sahaab, a local journalist and writer.

The lake entails some interesting myths too: some locals believe that the lake is an abode of angels while others say there is a huge treasure of gold but guarded by supernatural entities with golden rollers.

“Once, two men decided to take out gold from the lake. The one, who had knowledge of extracting the gold, told the other to observe silence during the process of taking out the gold. But the second man forgot to observe silence and called the first man when he was about to reach the gold. The moment he spoke the golden rollers started rolling cutting the man into pieces,” Zahir Khan, an elderly man narrated the myth.

Other myths reveal that a golden horse comes out of the lake which can be seen only by those people who have supernatural powers.

The visitors urged the provincial government to provide facilities to the tourists so that people from different areas of the country can visit it.

“This is the responsibility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism department to give facilities of toilets, drinking water and also make proper trail for the tourists which will not only boost tourism but will also help locals,” said Mohammad Ayoub a trekker and teacher.

— All photos by the writer.