Sattal meaning ‘Seven lakes’ in Hindi is a collection of seven interconnected freshwater lakes, located in the Kumaon Lake region, around 22 km from Nainital, in the State of Uttarkhand. The seven lakes of Sattal are Panna Tal or Garud Tal, Nal-Damyanti Tal, Purna Tal, Sita Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal and Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal.
It is located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 ft and surrounded by pine and oak forests near the foothills of the Himalayas. Sattal is known for its unspoilt natural beauty, a large portion of the forests here being protected, hence making it a great place for nature walks and butterfly watching. The rugged mountainous region offers several trekking, rappelling and rock climbing opportunities for the adventure lovers. You can also go kayaking on the lakes. There are also plenty of boatmen who take tourists around the lakes at a moderate fee.
Some of the places of interest are the Butterfly museum built by Frederic Smetacek at Jones Estate, which has over 2,500 butterfly and moth specimens and 1,100 species of insects that are found in this region. There is a spectacular natural spring of fresh water arising out of dense oak forest west of Sattal called Subhash Dhara which is worth visiting.
Dr Stanley Jones (1884-1973), the evangelist and missionary adapted the concept of the Indian ashram to Christianity and established the first Christian Ashram at Sattal in 1930. The ashram is not on tourist map, but the place is ideal for connecting to God, nature, meditation and relaxation. St. John’s Church is part of this ashram and showcases a mixed colonial architecture. There is also a Sattal Christian Ashram chapel situated nearby. It was established in 1930 to introduce Christianity into the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand
Best time to go: March to June, September to December
Distance: 320 km from Delhi
How to Reach:
By Train: Nearest Railway Station is Kathgodam, 34 km away
By Road: Journey time-6 ½ hrs. Take NH 24 to Rampur via Hapur, Gajraula, Joya Moradabad, NH 87 to Ranibagh via Rudrapur, Haldwani and Kathgodam, district road to Sattal via Bhimtal.
