Venna Lake was created in the early 1840s by damming a stream on the plateau — the work is credited to Raja Appasaheb of Satara — and it has been the centre of holiday Mahabaleshwar ever since. It lies about 2 km from the bazaar on the road towards Panchgani, ringed by trees and low wooded hills.
Mornings are calm and misty; by late afternoon the lakeside is a fairground of boats, ponies, toy trains and food stalls selling roasted corn, corn patties, strawberries with cream and hot pakoras. It is not wilderness, but it is great fun — and the evening light on the water can be lovely.
Top things to do at Venna Lake
Take a boat out
Pedal boats, row boats and small covered boats are hired by the half-hour from the jetty. Rates are posted at the counter — they change, so check on the day.
Eat your way along the bank
Try a roasted bhutta (corn cob with lime and chilli), corn pattice and, in season, fresh Mahabaleshwar strawberries with cream. For a sit-down meal, head back to the bazaar.
Ride a pony round the lake
Horse and pony rides leave from the lakeside and are popular with children. Agree the price and the route before you get on.
How to get to Venna Lake
- From the bazaar: about 2 km — a 25-minute walk or a few minutes by taxi or auto.
- From Panchgani: the lake is on the main Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani road, so every bus and taxi passes it.
- On a tour: the guided Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani day trip from Pune includes a boat ride on Venna Lake.
Insider tips
- Come early morning for mist and quiet water, or around sunset for atmosphere.
- Boating may be suspended in heavy monsoon rain or strong winds.
- Weekends and school holidays (April–June, Diwali, Christmas) bring big crowds and traffic on the lake road.
- Use the official boat counter rather than touts, and keep an eye on the life-jacket rule for children.
Tours that include Venna Lake
These guided trips cover Venna Lake or combine easily with a visit:
Private day trip from US$145 per group Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani (Guided Full-Day Tour)
The most complete way to see both hill stations in one day from Pune. A private AC car with an English/Hindi-speaking driver-guide covers Panchgani’s Table Land and viewpoints, Mapro Garden and the strawberry farms, then Mahabaleshwar’s Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake, the Panchganga temple and Pratapgad Fort.
- Table Land and Parsi Point in Panchgani
- Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake boat ride and Mapro Garden
- Pratapgad Fort and the Panchganga temple
Day trip from US$73 Pune: Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar, Wai & Panchgani
A slightly shorter, food-and-heritage-flavoured route: stop on the Krishna at Wai for the Peshwa-era Menavali ghat and Nana Phadnavis Wada, then climb to Mahabaleshwar for Arthur’s Seat, the temples and the market, with Mapro Garden and seasonal strawberry picking on the way back through Panchgani.
- Nana Phadnavis Wada and the Menavali ghat at Wai
- Arthur’s Seat viewpoint and old temples
- Mapro Garden, strawberries, honey and berry wines
