PESHAWAR, Jan 25 (APP): A fresh spell of snowfall transformed the lakes of Malakand and Hazara divisions into glittering winter wonderlands, drawing a surge of tourists who braved the cold to soak in nature’s icy splendor over the weekend.
From the legendary Saiful Malook Lake in Kaghan Valley to Ansu and Dudipath lakes in Upper Kaghan and famed Mahudhand lake in Upper Kalam, snow-covered shores, frozen trails and mist-wrapped peaks created postcard-perfect scenes that left visitors spellbound.
The dramatic hide-and-seek between the winter sun and drifting clouds above the towering Malika Parbat added to the magic at Saiful Malook, where the oval-shaped lake lay cloaked in snow, its crystal greenish-blue waters shimmering beneath a pale winter glow. The spectacle struck both eyes and hearts, offering tourists a rare blend of thrill, peace and quiet ecstasy.
Renowned for its folklore and fairy tales, Saiful Malook continues to transport visitors into a dreamlike realm. Spread over 1.06 square miles, with a depth of 113 feet and located at an altitude of 3,224 meters above sea level, the lake rewards travelers who endure the long and tiring journey from the plains with unmatched serenity and natural grandeur.
Named after the Persian prince Saiful Malook, the lake is fed by icy waterfalls cascading from the glaciers of Malika Parbat to its northeast. These frozen waters leave a lasting imprint on the souls of the hundreds of thousands of tourists and nature lovers who visit every year.
The romance of the lake is immortalized in the famous work “Saiful Malook” by renowned poet and historian Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, who narrated the legendary love story of Prince Saiful Malook and fairy princess Badri-ul-Jamala, believed to have blossomed during the prince’s visit to the lake.
“I have visited many lakes across Pakistan, but the gripping beauty, unique oval shape and clean greenish-blue water of Saiful Malook impressed me the most,” said Gulzar Rehman, a retired conservator of forest from Dir district, while speaking to APP.
Calling Saiful Malook his ideal tourist destination, he cited its folklore, breathtaking scenery and relatively better road connectivity. “This is my second visit. Families can easily come here, relax in its peaceful environment and then explore nearby lakes such as Ansu and Dudipatsar lake through jeep rides and horse trekking, which add to the fun and excitement,” he added.
Beyond Saiful Malook, the region boasts a treasure trove of alpine lakes that captivate adventure seekers. These include the tear-shaped Ansu lake, considered among the highest in the Himalayan region at 4,126 meters, Payala lake (2,895 meters), Pyala Lake (3,410 meters), Siri Lake (2,590 meters), Dudipatsar lake (3,800 meters) and Dudibach Star lake, each offering its own brand of wilderness and wonder.
“Saiful Malook is the identity of Pakistan,” Rehman said, expressing concern over garbage and polythene bags scattered by visitors. “It is the collective responsibility of the Kaghan Development Authority, Wildlife Department and district administration to keep these lakes clean and pollution-free.”
Citing international practices, he stressed the need to restrict vehicle access near lake premises and develop parking areas at a distance to protect fragile ecosystems from plastic pollution.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Ali Syed, General Manager of the KP Culture and Tourism Authority, told APP that Pakistan is home to numerous natural and man-made lakes, including Manchar Lake in Sindh, South Asia’s largest, as well as Paristan Lake in Skardu and Shimshal lake in Hunza, both located at elevations exceeding 4,200 meters, which attract large numbers of domestic tourists.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone hosts around 100 small and large lakes, including Karambar Lake, the world’s 33rd highest natural lake, accessible through the scenic Broghal Valley in Chitral.
Syed described Swat as a future tourism capital due to its snow-clad peaks, rivers, waterfalls, trout fish and expanding road infrastructure. He highlighted Mahudhand lake in Ushu Valley, Kalam, famous for brown and rainbow trout, camping facilities and serene surroundings, along with Spin Khwar and Kundal lakes.
Other notable destinations include Khanpur lake in Haripur for water sports and paragliding, Tanda Dam Lake in Kohat for ecotourism and Tarbela Lake for adventure activities. Several small dam lakes—Tanda, Jalozai, Kundal, Chatri and Jangza—have been selected for development as recreational sites.
He said snow blanked Mahudhand lake would be developed into a model ecotourism resort, with a mega project planned to build walking tracks, wooden boats, huts, parking areas and camping pods. Small and medium lakes in its vicinity will be interconnected through arch bridges to enhance the area’s natural appeal.
The KP government is also developing four Integrated Tourism Zones at Mankiyal, Thandiani, Ganool and Madaklasht with World Bank assistance of USD 70 million, alongside new road links to Swat and Hazara motorways. Additionally, jeepable tracks across 16 districts and new camping facilities aim to make these scenic lakes accessible year-round.
Salahuddin Khan, Divisional Wildlife Officer, said Saiful Malook lake, spread over 12,026 acres, has been declared a national park under the 1975 Preservation Act.
A project has been approved to construct a parking complex, entry gate, wildlife offices and acquire cleaning machinery to preserve its alpine ecosystem.
Under the national.Protected Areas Initiative, KP has become the first province to offer structured national park services, ensuring long-term protection of wildlife habitats while allowing people to responsibly enjoy nature’s winter marvels.