5 Beautiful Lakes in Ooty

Let’s start our list of the beautiful lakes to visit in Ooty with Ooty’s namesake, the Ooty lake. Calling this lake, surrounded by eucalyptus trees, beautiful will be an understatement. Along with the greenery around, the Nilgiri mountain railway line that runs from one side of the lake adds more charm to the lake. Once you have soaked in its natural beauty, you can indulge in the fun activities organised around the lake. You can go boating on a paddle, row or motorboat (charges vary). Or you can rent a cycle and go around the periphery. Horse rides are also available if that’s something you would like to try.

If you have some time left on your hand, there is a mini-train, an amusement park and also a garden for you to explore. After a fun-filled day, when you feel hungry, you will find many food stalls selling snacks and refreshments here. You can also go and eat in the canteen of the boathouse. Just remember, the lake remains open for visitors from 10 am to 6.3 pm. And you will need 2 to 3 hours to make the best out of your trip here. So, plan your trip to this spot on our list of top beautiful lakes in Ooty accordingly!

In the Silent Valley National Park, lying peacefully is one of the beautiful lakes in Ooty. The lake got its name from its emerald coloured water which looks calm and soul-soothing. Once you are at the lake, you can see the beautiful Nilgiri slopes. The surrounding dense forest and lush meadows make the lake even more charming. By now we know what draws nature lovers to this lake. Now let’s see what makes these lakes a favourite among bird lovers. A wide range of local aquatic and aerial birds call the lake their home. Come to the lake anytime between 8.30 am to 6 pm and you will get to see plenty of pretty birds!

After soaking in nature and all the bird-watching, time to indulge in some fun activities. There are great opportunities for mountain biking and trekking here. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can spend your time here fishing in the lake. A piece of advice here. Bring your family or friends with you and make a picnic out of it because this lake is quite a famous picnic spot in Ooty.

The next place on our beautiful lakes in Ooty to visit is this quaint spot encircled by mountains and vibrant flowers like rhododendrons and magnolias. Unlike its name and contrary to popular belief, this lake was not a result of an avalanche, rather it was formed by landslide. Now that we have cleared that, let’s see what else awaits us at the lake other than the flowers and mountains. The nearby waterfalls are a major attraction that enhances the overall aesthetics of the lake.

Visiting this lake is one of the most fun things to do in Ooty not only for nature lovers but also for adventure enthusiasts. The mountains around the lake have exciting trails perfect for trekking. There are many camping spots as well where you can stay the night and have a magical night gazing at the stars. Another activity that we will love to suggest is the forest safari. The forest department organises a safari (generally 2-hour long) and you can either opt for the bus or the jeep safari. No, we didn’t forget, the visiting hours are from 8 am to 6 pm.

After originating from Mukurthi Peak and travelling through mountains and waterfalls, the Pykara river comes to Ooty and creates this Pykara lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Ooty. The thriving green shola forest makes a picturesque background for the lake and also for pictures! The beauty of the lake blended with the pristine air will refresh you in seconds! And after feeling refreshed, it is time for you to take part in the exciting activities the lake has to offer!

Boating at the Pykara lake is quite fun, so you can start with that. After that, you can hike to the Pykara falls. Trust us, the hike will be worth the views! You can also spend your time at the boathouse digging into delicious food served by the restaurant here. And remember, you can visit the lake anytime between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The final Ooty lake name on our list has to be the Kamaraj Sagar. Because this lake nestled on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs is a fine example of nature’s allure. The calm blue water of the lake, the dense pine forest and the striking dam, all come together and elevate the lake’s charm to many folds. That charm is one of the reasons why this lake is one of the famous beautiful lakes in Ooty and why we insist you visit this lake during your trip.

Thinking what the other reasons are? The amazing opportunity to go boating at the lake, try horse riding and watch beautiful birds like peacocks, kingfishers, storks, herons, cranes and sunbirds as well as majestic animals like leopards, barking deer and Indian bison. Just visit the lake between 9 am and 6 pm and see how fun your visit becomes!

Not just in Ooty, these are among the most beautiful lakes in India. So, adding them to your Ooty travel guide will be a great idea!