Kandol Lake’s temperature will go down to a bone-chilling -4°C today. Yet, despite the weather, this large lake in the picturesque valley of Swat, continues to attract adventure lovers and students on winter break.

Also known as Kundal, the lake is located at the height of about 9,950 feet above sea level in the lap of Hindu Kush range. It lies to the north of Utror valley at a distance of about two kilometres; roughly 19 kilometres away from Kalam valley.

From Swat’s Laddu area, the glacial lake can be reached in about an hour and a half.

The trek to the lake itself is replete with scenes worth capturing; the thick forests, gushing streams and small waterfalls will have photographers constantly reaching out for their DSLRs or camera phones.

Bakhtiyar, a tourist from Saidu Sharif, was quite taken by the lake's splendour and beauty. “The serenity, the natural beauty and the surroundings are all luxuries the lake offers,” he told Dawn. He insists that this should be on the travel bucket list of all tourists, trekkers and nature lovers.

Yahya Khan, a trekker from Mingora area, had heard similar never-ending praises of the getaway; he finally decided he had to see it for himself.

The lake clearly did not disappoint.

“Both the location of the lake and its trek have refreshing effects on the visitors. The emerald green water in the stream running from the lake [makes one] feel high serenity,” he said.

Despite its natural charm and growing popularity, however, attention needs to be paid to developing the tourist spot. While Kandol is one of the nearest lakes in Swat, which can be accessed with relative ease, the trek is not without its problems.

Reaching the spot was easier prior to the 2010 floods that damaged the original trek route. The current alternative trek too is far from perfect. Tourists complained about the bumpy trek and stressed that the government must pay attention to it.

“The original trek was easier and shorter,” Sardar Zeb from Shangla valley told Dawn.

These minor hiccups notwithstanding, nature enthusiasts maintain that coming to the spot is worth the effort.

Zeb, who had previously visited the Kandol, is back for more. “The beauty of the lake is beyond comparison; one can feel closer to the heavens [here],” he said.