Route library · Camping · Camping
Delhi to Sattal — Lakeside Camping
Sattal, a few kilometres beyond Bhimtal, is a cluster of small lakes set in oak and pine forest at about 1,370 m. Lakeside camps offer tents, simple food and a very quiet base, with good birdlife at dawn. It is a gentler camping trip than the trekking camps higher up in the hills — a highway ride, a short hill road, and a night beside still water.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 610–670 km
- Riding time
- About 7 hours each way
- Nights
- One night works; two lets you add a walk around the lakes and Bhimtal
- Start point
- Delhi (via Moradabad, Kathgodam and Bhimtal)
- Highest point
- About 1,370 m at Sattal
- Difficulty
- Easy. Good roads, a short hill climb, and quiet forest lanes near the lakes.
- Surface
- Sealed road all the way; camp lanes near the water can be rough
- Best season
- March to June and September to November. Nights are cool; the monsoon brings rain and leeches on the forest paths.
The ride
Delhi → Moradabad → Kathgodam → Bhimtal → Sattal. The plains run is fast; the hill road from Kathgodam climbs about 25 km to Bhimtal, then a quiet forest road leads on to the Sattal lakes.
Camps at Sattal sit beside the water, with tents, a campfire in the evening and simple meals. Walk the forest paths around the lakes at dawn for birds, and visit Bhimtal, with its island café, on the way in or out. Nainital is a short ride on, and Pangot is further up; both have their own pages.
Day by day
Delhi to Sattal
Delhi → Moradabad → Kathgodam → Bhimtal → Sattal (7 hours). Reach the camp by mid-afternoon and settle in.
The lakes at dawn
Walk the forest paths around the lakes early for birds, then spend the day at the camp or ride to Bhimtal.
Camp to Delhi
Back down through Bhimtal and Kathgodam. Leave by mid-morning to stay ahead of the return traffic.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is easy on the plains highway — Moradabad, Rampur, Rudrapur and Haldwani all have pumps.
- Fill up at Haldwani or Kathgodam; there are few pumps beyond Bhimtal.
- Camps offer tents and simple meals. Confirm what is included, and bring your own sleeping bag if you are not sure.
Road & conditions
Sealed throughout. The Delhi–Moradabad–Rampur–Haldwani highway is fast with the usual truck and toll-plaza slowdowns; the climb from Kathgodam to Bhimtal is a good hill road, and the last stretch to Sattal is a narrow forest lane. Fog and rain can come in quickly, and there can be minor slips in July–September.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- Fine on a well-maintained 150–200cc commuter.
- Fuel gap
- Longest dry stretch is short — a normal tank covers it with margin.
- Spare fuel
- None needed for this route.
- Emergency & logistics
- District hospitals within an hour or so; full mobile coverage; mechanics in every town. A short, low-stakes ride.
Best time to ride
March to June and September to November are the working windows. October–November is clear and cool; May–June is warm and busy. Winter is cold. The monsoon brings heavy rain, leeches and damp — not good for camping.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: a warm layer and a sleeping bag if the camp does not provide one, binoculars for the birds, and insect repellent for the lakeside evenings.
Ride this with a group
Want to ride Sattal with a briefed group? Send an enquiry, or check the rides page for the next outing.