By Amanpreet Singh
Hey, Cloggers! After scaling high peaks and diving into deep history, we yearned for a classic, cozy hill station vibe. We found it in Nainital, the jewel of Kumaon, centered around the beautiful, crescent-shaped Naini Lake. This trip was less about physical struggle and more about finding a lovely calm, with just the right amount of epic chaos and absolute fun with the crew: Rahul, Simran, Vikram, and me.
Chapter 1: The Crescent Lake Chaos (The Epic Start)
The moment you arrive in Nainital, the massive Naini Lake dominates the view. Its crescent shape, surrounded by hills, feels instantly cinematic. Our Epic start was renting a rowboat and hitting the water.
The sheer serenity of being out in the middle of the lake, far from the bustling Mall Road, was amazing. We quickly learned that rowing requires more coordination than we possess. The fun with friends turned into a synchronized, spinning comedy show, culminating in Rahul accidentally splashing water on Vikram, which naturally escalated into a brief, hysterical water fight in the middle of the lake. We eventually docked and spent the afternoon people-watching on the Mall, soaking up the lively atmosphere.
Chapter 2: The View from Tiffin Top (The Lovely Moment)
To get a true perspective of the area, we decided to hike up to Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat). The path winds through thick oak, deodar, and pine forests, offering cooling shade and the scent of the hills.
This was the most Lovely part of the trip. The gentle ascent was perfect for easy conversation and taking photos of the shifting light filtering through the canopy. We reached the top just as the late afternoon sun began to descend, finding a spectacular view.
This provided the Beautiful Moment: a panoramic view of Nainital town, the entire Naini Lake laid out like a shimmering emerald necklace, and the distant Himalayas glowing faintly. We sat there, sharing the last biscuits from our backpacks, completely silent, just watching the city lights begin to flicker on below us. It was a picturesque, tranquil ending to our day.
Chapter 3: Cable Cars and Colonial Charm
We mixed up the pace the next day with a ride on the Aerial Ropeway (cable car) up to Snow View Point, hoping for clear Himalayan views (which, as is tradition in the hills, were slightly obscured by mist, but still magnificent!).
The rest of the fun with friends was spent exploring the smaller, lesser-known lakes around Nainital, like Sattal and Bhimtal, which are quieter and more forested. We ended the trip huddled in a cafe near the lake, laughing about our boating failure and planning which local souvenir shop had the best prices on candles. Nainital proved to be the perfect place to recharge—a gorgeous blend of natural beauty and gentle town life.
What’s your favorite activity on a boat or a lake? Share your water adventures below!
Stay cool, Amanpreet Singh clogtheblog.com
