Daep Sharif is a set of spring-fed pools and a shrine reached by a short walk from Kufri village in Soon Valley, and it is the closest thing the valley has to a hidden stop: most people who drive past on the way to the lakes have never heard of it. The walk in is about twenty minutes from the parking area, the water is clear enough to see the bottom, and the site is treated locally as a place of quiet significance rather than a tourist attraction. This guide covers the walk, what you'll find, and how to behave once you're there.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Near Kufri village, Soon Valley, Khushab district |
| Walk from parking | About 20 minutes, easy going |
| What it is | A series of spring-fed pools with a small shrine |
| Water | Clear and cold, suitable for wading or swimming in places |
| Best paired with | Kanhatti Garden, Khabeki Lake |
| Etiquette | Modest dress, quiet voices near the shrine, no littering in the pools |
What Daep Sharif is
Daep Sharif is a series of natural pools that cascade into one another, fed by springs that keep the water running even in dry weather, with the shrine itself set at the site. Beyond the main pools, the path continues to grazing ground used by local herders, where the pace of a visit slows further: there's little to do beyond sit, listen to the cowbells and take in a part of Soon Valley that sees far fewer visitors than its lakes. It's a small, low-key site rather than a landmark, and that's the appeal for anyone who has already done the more visited stops in the valley.
The walk in
From the parking area near Kufri, the path to Daep Sharif is about twenty minutes on foot, an easy walk rather than a hike, though the ground is uneven enough that decent shoes make a difference. Some visitors prefer to go with a local guide, since the route isn't signposted and it's easy to miss the turn where the path leaves the main track. Asking in Kufri or arranging a guide through a Soon Valley tour operator is worth doing if you'd rather not rely on a map.
The pools and the water
The pools at Daep Sharif are fed directly by springs, which keeps the water clear and noticeably cold compared with the open lakes elsewhere in the valley. Several of the pools are shallow enough to wade in, and swimming is possible in the deeper sections, though this is a place with local religious significance, not a public pool, so read the mood before jumping straight in and follow the lead of anyone else visiting.
Etiquette at the shrine
Daep Sharif combines a natural swimming spot with a working shrine, and the two need different kinds of respect:
- Dress modestly, particularly if you plan to be near the shrine itself rather than only in the water.
- Keep noise down close to the shrine, even if the pools further along feel more like a picnic spot.
- Don't leave rubbish in or around the pools; there are no bins, so carry everything back out.
- Ask before photographing anyone at the shrine or bathing in the pools.
- Follow local guidance on which pools are used for bathing and which are best left alone.
When to visit
Cooler months suit Daep Sharif better than the height of summer, when the walk in and the exposed grazing ground beyond the pools get uncomfortably hot. Spring adds greenery to the walk, and the spring-fed water stays cold and clear year-round, so the site doesn't depend on rainfall the way Soon Valley's saline lakes do.
Getting there
Daep Sharif is reached from Kufri village or the main Soon Valley road, with parking near the start of the walk-in path. There's no public transport to the site, so you'll need a private car to reach Kufri, and most visitors combine the stop with Kanhatti Garden and Khabeki Lake on the same day, since all three sit within a short drive of each other in the valley.
Is Daep Sharif worth the detour?
For anyone who wants to see a quieter side of Soon Valley beyond the well-known lakes, yes: the walk is short, the setting is genuinely peaceful, and it costs little extra time if you're already in the area. It won't suit a rushed itinerary, since finding the path and taking the walk at an unhurried pace is the point, and it isn't the stop to prioritise if your day in the valley is already tight. Our Soon Valley guide covers how to fit Daep Sharif into a fuller route, and our trip-planning guide can help with the wider Salt Range itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk to Daep Sharif?
About twenty minutes from the parking area near Kufri village, on an easy but unsignposted path. A local guide makes it easier to find the way.
Can you swim at Daep Sharif?
Yes, in parts of the spring-fed pools, though it's also a site of local religious significance, so follow local lead on where bathing is appropriate.
Is a guide necessary to visit Daep Sharif?
Not strictly, but the path isn't signposted and is easy to lose, so many visitors arrange a local guide through Kufri village or a Soon Valley tour operator.
What should you wear to visit Daep Sharif?
Modest clothing, particularly near the shrine itself, and shoes suited to an uneven twenty-minute walk rather than sandals.
When is the best time to visit Daep Sharif?
Cooler months, from autumn through spring, when the walk and the open grazing ground beyond the pools are more comfortable than in summer.
