Venna Lake

Venna Lake (the iconic 28 acre man made freshwater lake and leisure promenade built in 1842 by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj, the Raja of Satara) in the hill station of Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, stands as Maharashtra's supreme mountain lake resort.

Fringed by towering pine, oak, and chinar trees along the main Panchgani Mahabaleshwar road just 2 km from the town center, this 180 year-old water reservoir is the recreational hub of the hill station.

It's the home of brightly painted wooden rowboats and pedal boats gliding across calm mountain waters, pony and horse rides trotting along the paved lakefront perimeter, bustling lakeside food stalls serving fresh strawberries with whipped cream and hot roasted corn cobs (bhutta), and an intensely joyous, deeply refreshing highland ambiance filled with the laughter of families, cool evening mist rolling over the water surface, and the aroma of spiced tea and fried pakodas.

It represents a rich Maharashtra 19th century royal engineering heritage apex, hill station recreation, and family vacation tourism where mountain boating, Lingmala waterfall hikes, Kate's Point vistas, and Mahabaleshwar travel circuits unite in Venna Lake.

Located on Mahabaleshwar Road, it sits 2 km from Mahabaleshwar Bus Stand, 16 km from Panchgani, 60 km from Satara Railway Station, 120 km from Pune International Airport (PNQ), 4 km from Lingmala Waterfalls, and 260 km from Mumbai, easily reached by car, auto rickshaw, or state transport bus.

Row Boating, Pedal Boating & Horse Riding

The lake features a fleet of well maintained paddle boats and traditional wooden rowboats operated by local boatmen who handle visitors across the 28 acre lake framed by green pine woods.

Along the perimeter, trained pony handlers offer scenic horseback rides for children and adults under shaded pine canopies, while a mini amusement zone offers toy trains and carousel rides.

Truth is, pedaling into the middle of the lake at dusk as thick white fog sweeps down from the hills and lamps light up the food promenade will give you the quintessential Mahabaleshwar feeling.

Strawberries & Cream, Lingmala & Kate's Point

The Lakeside Chaat Chowpatty: The bustling food stalls serve bowls of sweet Mahabaleshwar strawberries layered with rich whipped cream, hot charcoal roasted corn (bhutta), bhelpuri, and crispy onion bhajjis.

Lingmala Falls & Kate's Point: Located within 4 to 6 km of the lake, visitors can explore the 600 foot Lingmala cascade and Kate's Point offering canyon views over Balakwadi Dam.

Venna Lake & Mahabaleshwar Recreation Day Plan

The Highland Leisure & Boating Circuit: Morning visit to Kate's Point, Echo Point, and Needle Hole Rock (8:30 AM to 10:30 AM) -> forest walk to Lingmala Waterfalls to view the 600 foot upper cascade (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM) -> strawberry lunch and wood fired pizza at Mapro Garden (1:30 PM to 3:00 PM) -> return to town for shopping at Mahabaleshwar Town Market for pure honey and leather footwear (3:30 PM to 4:45 PM) -> arrive at Venna Lake for a 1 hour rowboat or paddle boat ride (5:00 PM to 6:30 PM: watch sunset mist drift over the water) -> enjoy horse riding along the shore followed by a street food feast of strawberries and cream, roasted corn, and masala chai (6:30 PM to 8:30 PM).

Visiting Code & Conduct: Life jackets are compulsory on all rowboats and paddle boats; evening hours from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM are the most crowded, so arrive early for shorter boating queues; keep lake banks clean by using designated trash bins.

After enjoying a boat ride on Venna Lake, visit Lingmala Waterfalls, take in the views at Kate's Point, or explore Mapro Garden.