Bhardwaj Lake in Asola Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden spot in Delhi for weekend break

For the trekker at heart, a weekend trip to the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary in South Delhi can be incredibly liberating. It is a forested area located on the border of Delhi, and it is predominantly populated by Kikar or thorn bush trees. Within the boundaries of the sanctuary lies a beautiful man-made lake which has remained unexplored for many years until sometime back it gained popularity among the league of cyclists, trekkers and casual explorers. A few narrow trails lead to this pristine blue lake.

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The lake was formed as a result of unchecked mining of sandstone, lime and Badarpur sand in the area. A few decades back, these lakes were large open pit mines. Large-scale dynamiting turned the nearby hills into troughs. Groundwater seeped in, rainwater collected, and that’s how these lakes were formed.

The way to Bhardwaj Lake is from the Aravali International School on Delhi-Faridabad border. Besides rocky surfaces, pebbles, sand and gravel, visitors to this region can expect to behold lots of butterflies, feathered friends, rabbits and antelopes (blue bulls). Word has it that wild animals also abound this forest, though they hardly make themselves visible.

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The total area of Bhardwaj Lake which has been named after a mining contractor (not the ancient sage) is around 8 km. Some come prepared with 3 to 4 hours, food and water in hand.

Essential info: Since this area is prone to petty thefts, avoid carrying too much cash during the trip.