Ngebel Lake is a natural lake located in the highlands, 30 km from the center of Ponorogo city. Ngebel Lake is a must-visit family tourist destination for those living around Ponorogo or in East Java. It has an average temperature ranging from 20-26 degrees Celsius. The cool and refreshing temperature makes visitors feel more comfortable exploring Ngebel Lake. Besides Reog, Ngebel Lake is one of the main attractions in Ponorogo Regency. The water supply for Ngebel Lake comes from various sources, with a significant flow originating from the Santen Canal. Additionally, there is a river flowing into Ngebel Lake, where at its upstream part, there is a waterfall named Toyomarto Waterfall.

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Photo by Azhar Rizki Zulma on Instagram

There is a well-known legend associated with Ngebel Lake. The lake is connected to the story of a dragon snake named “Baru Klinting.” The snake is believed to be the transformation of the Royal Patih Bantaran Angin. At that time, the Patih was meditating in the form of a snake, and unintentionally, a villager brought the transformed snake to the village. Upon reaching the village, the transformed snake was about to be prepared as food due to its large size. Before being cut, the snake magically transformed into a child, who then approached the community and decided to make a challenge. The child then stuck a stick into the ground, or another version mentions it as a rice scoop. However, no one succeeded in pulling it out. The magical child was the only one who managed to do so. From the hole where the stick or rice scoop was inserted, water gushed out, forming a spring that eventually turned into a lake. The local residents named the lake Ngebel, meaning a lake that emits a pungent odor. The legend of Ngebel Lake is closely tied to and plays a significant role in the history of Ponorogo Regency. It is said to be associated with one of the founders of this regency, Batoro Katong. Before spreading Islam in Ponorogo Regency, Batoro purified himself in the spring near Ngebel Lake, now known as Kucur Batoro.