Less developed than Lake Bishoftu, though probably not for much longer, Lake Hora lies just north of the town centre and has some outstanding birdlife . The Hora Recreation Centre can get a bit noisy at weekends, but it’s easy enough to escape the crowds: just follow the footpath around the lake as it winds through the forested slopes of the crater. A circumnavigation of the lake takes around 1½ hours. Theft is a real concern, so take a guide (price negotiable) from the restaurant (mains Birr20-35). Or, savour the scenery from a rowboat.
On the first Sunday following Meskel, the Oromo people celebrate Irecha here. Thanks are given to Waka (One God) and good fortune sought for the upcoming planting season. Devotees gather around an ancient fig tree to smear perfume, butter and katickala (a distilled alcohol) on the trunk and share ceremonial meals.
