Route library · Weekend · Mountains
Delhi to Bhimtal & Sattal
Bhimtal and Sattal are a cluster of small lakes in the forest just south of Nainital — Bhimtal the larger, with an island temple, and Sattal a chain of seven smaller lakes ringed by oak and pine that has become one of the better birding spots in the Kumaon foothills. Both are close enough to Nainital to add on, but calm enough to be a destination in their own right.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 600–640 km
- Riding time
- 7–8 hours each way — the shortest of the Kumaon lake-country rides
- Nights
- One night is enough for both lakes
- Start point
- Delhi (via Kathgodam)
- Highest point
- About 1,370 m at Sattal
- Difficulty
- Easy. Gentle hill roads, short distances between the lakes, nothing technical.
- Surface
- Good sealed road throughout, including the short forest lanes between Bhimtal and Sattal
- Best season
- October to June. Winter is cold and clear; spring is mild; the monsoon fills the lakes but blurs the views.
The ride
Delhi → Rampur → Kathgodam → Bhimtal, a shorter and gentler climb than the ride to Nainital itself, since you turn off before the last, busiest stretch. Bhimtal's lake has a small island with an old temple and a modest aquarium; the town around it is workaday rather than touristy.
Sattal is a short ride further into the forest — seven small lakes linked by walking trails, popular with birders for its mix of resident and migratory species through the cooler months. Naukuchiatal, the nine-cornered lake, is an easy add-on if you have a spare hour.
Day by day
Delhi to Bhimtal
Delhi → Kathgodam → Bhimtal (7–8 hours). An easier climb than the Nainital road. Settle by the lake.
Sattal and the forest lakes
Short ride to Sattal, a walk around the seven lakes, and Naukuchiatal if there's time. Back to Bhimtal or Delhi in the afternoon.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is easy the whole way — Rampur, Rudrapur, Kathgodam and Bhimtal all have pumps.
- Bhimtal and Sattal both have guesthouses and forest-lodge-style stays across budgets.
Road & conditions
Sealed and in good condition throughout — this is one of the gentler rides in the mountain section. The plains stretch to Kathgodam is straightforward, and the short climb to Bhimtal is easier than the road on to Nainital proper. Weekend traffic is lighter here than on the main Nainital road, since most tourist traffic bypasses the lakes for the bigger town.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- Fine on any road-legal commuter.
- Fuel gap
- Longest dry stretch is short — a normal tank covers it with margin.
- Spare fuel
- None needed for this route.
- Emergency & logistics
- The nearest well-equipped hospital is the valley/district town, one to two hours off; signal is patchy above the bazaar; carry the group lead's number and an emergency card.
Best time to ride
October to June is good. Winter (November–February) is the best birding window at Sattal and gives the clearest air. Spring is mild and green. The monsoon fills the lakes nicely but brings haze and occasional slips on the forest lanes.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: binoculars if you have them, for Sattal. Nothing technical.
Ride this with a group
We run Bhimtal & Sattal as an easy one-night lake-country weekend — a gentle first hill ride with the group.