Charlotte Lake

The main water reservoir for Matheran, Charlotte Lake sits at the southern edge of the plateau in a quiet wooded setting. The walk down from town takes about 20 minutes and passes through dense forest — good for birds, especially in the early morning. Racket-tailed drongos, crested serpent eagles, and Malabar whistling thrushes are all commonly seen in the trees around the lake.

The lake itself is calm and attractive, though swimming is not permitted. A short path around the perimeter is easy to follow. In the dry season the water level drops significantly; the full lake in the post-monsoon months (October–November) is most photogenic.

things to do sight hiking