Nature6 min read·
Embung Tambakboyo: Jogging Track, Sunset, and Routes
Embung Tambakboyo in Depok, Sleman is a 7.8-hectare reservoir circled by a 1.5 km jogging track. Here is peak hours, parking fees, and how to get there.
Embung Tambakboyo sits in Dusun Tambakboyo, Depok District, Sleman Regency, right at the meeting point of three villages: Condongcatur, Maguwoharjo, and Wedomartani. It’s only about 8 kilometers from central Yogyakarta, roughly 20 to 25 minutes’ drive from the Tugu Jogja landmark.
The easiest route runs along the North Ring Road. From the intersection in front of UPN Veteran university, head north into the housing area for about 600 meters, then turn east along a small road until you reach the reservoir’s edge. There’s a shorter alternative route via Taman Kuliner Condongcatur, but the turns can be confusing if you don’t already know the area.
A City Reservoir That Became an All-Day Public Space
What makes Embung Tambakboyo stand out is the contrast. The surrounding area is genuinely dense — housing, a university campus, and the ring road — but step onto the reservoir’s edge and all you hear is the wind, water lapping the shore, and the occasional passing bicycle.
The entire perimeter is lined with a wide, flat paved path stretching about 1.5 kilometers. The surface is level with no real inclines, so it works for a casual stroll, a jog, or a bike ride without any special preparation — a few laps at a brisk pace is enough to work up a sweat.
Its character shifts twice a day. In the morning, especially on clear days, Mount Merapi’s silhouette shows up in full on the northern horizon, and the path fills with runners and cyclists. As dusk approaches, attention shifts west: an orange sky reflected on the water’s surface, framed by tree silhouettes, is the main reason people show up with a camera.
Meanwhile, a group of anglers usually claims their favorite spots by late afternoon. The reservoir is stocked with freshwater fish like catfish, tilapia, and wader, and fishing here tends to function more as a community gathering than a serious catch.
A 2003–2008 Water Conservation Project Turned Public Space
Embung Tambakboyo isn’t a natural lake. It was built as a five-year water conservation project, running from 2003 until it became operational in 2008, at a point where several local waterways converge.
It spans roughly 7.8 hectares with a capacity of about 400,000 cubic meters of water. Its main purpose isn’t recreation — it’s groundwater recharge, an irrigation source, a raw water reserve for the municipal water utility, and flood control for the densely populated area around it.
The circular path along the edge, now used as a jogging track, was originally an inspection route — designed so officials could check the condition of the embankment. Its recreational role grew later, out of local habit rather than original planning, and today it’s the feature the reservoir is best known for.
Entry is free. Visitors only pay a parking fee managed independently by the surrounding community, roughly IDR 2,000 for motorbikes and IDR 3,000 to IDR 5,000 for cars. The area is open 24 hours with no official closing time.
Crowds cluster around two windows: roughly 7 AM and from 3 PM onward, with Saturdays and Sundays being the busiest. If you want a clearer path for running or cycling, weekdays are a far more comfortable choice.
Facilities are simple but sufficient: a large parking area, a well-maintained paved path, a horse-racing track, fishing spots, and a row of food stalls, cafés, and restaurants circling the reservoir. That combination is exactly why many people come here for breakfast or to wind down the day facing the water.
Exploring Nearby Sites in Eastern Sleman
- Candi Gebang - about 2 km - A small 8th-century Hindu temple standing amid a residential neighborhood. One of the closest sites, often overlooked simply because of its size.
- Jogja Bay Waterpark - about 4 km - A pirate-themed water park with more than a dozen rides and an artificial wave pool.
- Monumen Jogja Kembali - about 6 km - A cone-shaped monument with dioramas of the 1949 independence struggle and a night-time Rainbow Garden.
- Candi Sambisari - about 6 km - A Hindu temple buried by Merapi’s ash, now sitting 6.5 meters below ground level.
Final Thoughts
Embung Tambakboyo is a good example of technical infrastructure that locals adopted as public space without losing its original function. No ticket, no closing time, and just 8 kilometers from the city center, it makes the most sense enjoyed as a morning routine or an evening stop — not as a destination you plan a whole trip around.
FAQ: About Embung Tambakboyo
How much does it cost to enter Embung Tambakboyo?
Free. Visitors only pay a parking fee managed independently by the surrounding community, roughly IDR 2,000 for motorbikes and IDR 3,000 to IDR 5,000 for cars.
How long is the jogging track at Embung Tambakboyo?
About 1.5 kilometers, circling the reservoir’s edge on a flat, paved surface. It works for walking, jogging, or cycling.
What are Embung Tambakboyo’s opening hours?
Open 24 hours with no official closing time. Peak visiting hours run around 7 AM and from 3 PM onward, with weekends being the busiest.
Is fishing allowed at Embung Tambakboyo?
Yes, and it’s fairly popular here. The reservoir is stocked with freshwater fish like catfish, tilapia, and wader, with fishing spots scattered around several parts of the shoreline.
When’s the best time to catch the sunset at Embung Tambakboyo?
About an hour before sunset, when the orange sky starts reflecting on the water’s surface. For a clear view of Mount Merapi, morning is actually the better bet, since the peak isn’t yet covered in clouds.