Aharbal is located in the western part of south Kashmir in district Kulgam in the mountainous Pir Panjal region. It is about 28 km from district headquarters Kulgam. The place is bestowed with a beautiful landscape and enthralling beauty. Amid lush green forests and the echoes of river Veshaw, the beauty of Aharbal gets multiplied. The roaring sound of Aharbal waterfall is enchanting to the listener. The water of the fall tumbles down from a height of about 25 metres through a rocky narrow gorge about 7 metres wide. It provides a magnificent view owing to the volume of water that falls down.
Aharbal is easy to reach from district Shopian as well through the Shopian-Sedow road. Now another access to Aharbal is through the Shopian-Reshinagar bridge, a bridge of the finest design built over the river Veshaw. River Veshaw is an important tributary of the Jhelum river.
Aharbal literally means the place of dread or fear. Although it is beautiful, it is equally fearful due to the tough rocky surfaces and the very deep gorge through which river Veshaw flows. The route passing from Aharbal waterfall to Gurwatan is very narrow and runs above the gorge parallel to river Veshaw. It has been carved out of rocky surfaces and there is a threat of landslides during heavy rains.
The physical infrastructure developed by the department of tourism is worth appreciation. Well designed huts were put in place in a brief time. Earlier the place was in a devastated condition. The parks at the site are spacious but there is scope for beautifying them. The Aharbal Development Authority is doing a commendable job by keeping the place clean and pollution-free.
Aharbal is the base camp for trekking to Kousarnag, Mahinag, Indrasar, etc. The river Veshaw is full of trout fish. Here fishing is carried out after obtaining permission from the fisheries department.
Tourists from length and breadth of J&K visit Aharbal during summers. However, foreign tourists are few and far between, perhaps due to being unaware of the place and also for lack of proper guides. The department of tourism needs to upgrade the spot along modern lines and develop the hotels so that foreign tourists can visit the place in huge numbers. This will boost the economy of this backward region. One such step can be to provide boarding and lodging facilities in Shopian and Kulgam and transport from these towns. Aharbal is also endowed with many medicinal plants. Here the tourism department in collaboration with the agriculture department can work for promotion of medicinal plants on pilot project basis, which will enrich the local economy.
The waterfall region needs to be guarded well as there have been many cases of accidents and suicides. The weathering of rocks near the waterfall has put people at risk of drowning. The deteriorated state of the spot needs to be developed so that it becomes safe and beautiful.
Aharbal is considered as a beautiful picnic spot. A visit to Aharbal is both mesmerising and enjoyable. One is lost in nature, the cold breeze refreshing to the mind and soul. Sun rays kissing the surface of river Veshaw reflect the alpine canopy in its totality and provide an enthralling view, difficult to forget but easy to remember. The charm is added by nomads who visit the steppes of Kungwatan and Kousarnag for cattle rearing. They travel in caravans, adding a picturesque sight round the summer season.

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Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat