A lake among the hills
Saputara Lake is the scenic centrepiece of the hill station — a calm, attractive lake set among the hills, ringed by gardens, a lakeside promenade and viewpoints. Boating is the main draw, with paddle boats and rowboats for hire, and the lake is especially pretty in the cool of the morning and evening, when its still water mirrors the surrounding green slopes and sky.
The lakeside, with its gardens, food stalls and gentle bustle, is the social heart of Saputara — a relaxed place to stroll, sit and unwind in the cool hill air. By day, families drift across the water in brightly painted boats; by dusk, the promenade fills with walkers catching the last of the light.
It is the calm centre of the hills — a hill lake to circle slowly, loveliest in the early morning and at sundown, when the water lies perfectly still and the green slopes double in its surface.
Saputara Lake — the calm, green-ringed centre of the hill station.
The water at the centre of a hill station
The lakeside promenade, the social heart of Saputara.
Saputara Lake sits at the very heart of Gujarat's only hill station — the feature the whole resort gathers around.
Brightly painted paddle boats and rowboats are the lake's chief draw, for hire through the day.
Trim gardens and a walkable promenade ring the water, with viewpoints and food stalls along the way.
The lakeside is where the town comes together — to stroll, sit and unwind in the cool hill air.
Reasons to make the time
Hill lake
Calm & pretty — a still hill lake ringed by green slopes.
Boating
Paddle & row boats for hire across the water all day.
Gardens
Lakeside green — trim gardens and a walkable promenade.
Still water
Mirrors the hills — the surface doubles the slopes and sky.
Food stalls
Gentle bustle — snacks, corn and chai along the lakeside.
Dawn & dusk
Loveliest hours — soft light and perfectly still water.
What to look for inside
THE LAKESaputara Lake
Calm hill water — the scenic, social centre of the resort.
THE SETTINGGreen hills
All around — wooded slopes that rise straight from the shore.
PROMENADEThe lakeside walk
A gentle loop of gardens, viewpoints and food stalls.
BOATINGPaddle & rowboats
Brightly painted boats for hire through the day.
GARDENSLakeside green
Trim, shaded gardens that ring the still water.
GOLDEN HOURDawn & dusk
The loveliest hours, when the water lies perfectly still.
How to spend an hour or two
Go boating
Paddle or row across the lake — the classic Saputara thing to do, best in the cool hours.
Walk the promenade
Loop the lake on foot, past gardens, viewpoints and food stalls all the way round.
Relax by the water
Find a bench or patch of garden and simply pause — a calm break in the hill air.
Come at dawn/dusk
Time your visit for sunrise or sunset, when the light is soft and the water still.
Enjoy the gardens
Wander the lakeside green — trim, shaded and made for an unhurried stroll.
Soak the hill air
Cool and fresh year-round, the climate alone is reason to linger by the lake.
Grab a snack
Try roasted corn, chaat and chai from the stalls that line the lakeside.
Catch the still morning
Arrive early, before the boats stir the surface, for the lake's most mirror-like calm.
Saputara Lake — the relaxed heart of the hill station.
A pretty hill lake
Saputara Lake is the scenic, social centre of the hill station — a calm lake ringed by gardens and a promenade, busy with paddle and rowboats, mirroring the green hills at dawn and dusk. It is the relaxed heart of Saputara.
There is little to do here but slow down: hire a boat, circle the water on foot, and let the cool, fresh hill air do the rest. The lake is at its loveliest in and just after the monsoon, when the surrounding slopes are at their greenest.
See what else is nearby in our guide to the Dangs.
The hill station’s lake
Boating & a promenade
Lakeside gardens
Loveliest at dawn & dusk
When to go
Misty, green and full of waterfalls — the Dangs at their most beautiful.
Cool, clear and pleasant, with comfortable days and sharp lake reflections.
Cooler than the plains — Saputara's hill air makes it a welcome summer escape.
⏰ The Dangs are loveliest in and just after the monsoon, when the hills are green and the waterfalls full.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Green in monsoon
- Cool through winter
- Pair with Saputara
- Lakeside is free
- Boating is ticketed
- Loveliest dawn/dusk
- Family-friendly
Getting there
By Air
Surat airport is the nearest, about 120 km away, with onward taxis up into the hills.
By Rail
The Bilimora–Waghai narrow-gauge line and Waghai railhead serve the Dangs from the plains.
By Road
Saputara and Ahwa are the road hubs; the lake sits right at the centre of Saputara town.
At Saputara Lake
WATER & HILLS
The hill station's lake — still water framed by green slopes
What to shoot
The lake — its still water, ringed by gardens and the green hills beyond.
Detail
The boats — bright paddle boats and rowboats make easy splashes of colour.
Best time
Still morning — before the boats stir the surface, for mirror reflections.
Best light
Dawn & dusk — soft, low light over calm water and wooded slopes.
Know before you go
More to see close by
4Anjan & Padmadungari
Hidden waterfalls and forest eco-trails
HILL STATIONSaputara
Misty hill station in the green Sahyadris
Hatkeshwar Mahadev
A hill Shiva shrine above Saputara
PILGRIMShabari Dham
Where Shabari awaited Lord Rama
WILDLIFEPurna Sanctuary
Dense forest of leopards & birds
WATERFALLGira & Girmal
Gujarat’s mightiest cascades, in full monsoon roar
Where to eat near Saputara Lake
THALIGujarati Thali
Meals on the plains route — unlimited thalis on the way up and down.
FARSANDhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks — light Gujarati farsan to nibble through the day.
STREETSaputara stalls
Corn, snacks & chai — lakeside stalls for a warm, simple bite.
Tribal Dangi fare
Nagli rotla, bamboo shoots & forest produce — taste the local Dangi kitchen.
Saputara Lake FAQ
What is Saputara Lake?
Saputara Lake is the scenic centrepiece of the hill station — a calm, attractive lake set among the hills, ringed by gardens, a lakeside promenade and viewpoints. Boating is the main draw, with paddle boats and rowboats for hire, and the lake is especially pretty in the cool of the morning and evening, when its still water mirrors the surrounding green slopes and sky.
Where is it?
Saputara, in The Dangs — Gujarat's only hill station, in the far south-east of the state.
Is there an entry fee?
The lakeside is free to visit; boating is charged separately, by the boat or by time.
When should I visit?
Monsoon for greenery and waterfalls; winter for cool, clear days. Summer is pleasant too, being cooler than the plains.
What's nearby?
Saputara town, the Dangs' waterfalls and forests, Sunset Point, Gira Falls and Pampa Sarovar are all close by.
How long does it take?
One to two hours is enough for a boat ride and a loop of the promenade.
Related places across Gujarat
RITUALNarmada Aarti
Evening river worship on the banks
PALACENilambag Palace
A Gohil royal residence, now a heritage hotel
FAIRMadhavpur Mela
Krishna-Rukmini’s celebrated spring wedding fair
5Dudhimati River
A serene stream winding through tribal country
WILDLIFEForest Safari
Spot deer, birds & the odd leopard
RIVERNarmada Backwaters
Calm reaches near Sardar Sarovar
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026