For adventure and nature lovers who are not excited by easy hike routes, the hike from Chunbhatti to Giddey Pahar should be an interesting trail. The hiking distance is around 15 kilomteres due to sharp bends and long turn-arounds. The very steep gradient from Selim Hill to Giddey adds to the difficulty levels even though seasoned hikers will take all this in their stride. The route offers an all encompassing view of the Hill Cart road from Mahanadi down to Tindharia with the Shivkhola valley far down below.
The Route Overview
The hike starts from Chunbhatti located on the Hill Cart Road around 10 kilometres away from Sukna. From Chunbhatti we have the option to take any one of three routes to reach Giddey. We can continue on Hill cart Road up to Tindharia. From Tindharia, we turn left to take the narrow road to Rohini. After walking downhill for around two kilometres, we turn right to follow the road up to Selim Hill above Gayabari. From Selim Hill we make the steep climb up to Giddey.
The second option is to walk along Hill Cart Road from Chunbhatti past Tindharia to Gayabari. The distance is longer but hiking will become easier due to the gentle gradient of Hill Cart Road. From Gayabari we move up the narrow road to Selim Hill before walking up the very steep climb from Selim Hill to Giddey.
The third option is to leave Hill Cart Road at Chunbhatti itself. Take the narrow short cut from Chunbhatti to Tindharia, then down Rohini Road, then further up to Selim Hill before the steep climb up to Giddey.
Whichever route you take, you will be encountering steep gradients due to the sharp edged Giddey ridge which drops straight down to Tindharia. While the gradient from Mahanadi to Kurseong is gentle, from Tindharia straight up to Kurseong via Giddey is almost a perpendicular climb. This is why you only have to look straight down from Giddey to see the road going past Gayabari to Tindharia.
Highlights of the Hike
1. All Encompassing View of the Hilly Topography
The panoramic view from Mahanadi to Gayabari with the Shivkhola valley far below will leave you breathless. On a clear day, the Mahananda and further down the Teesta can be clearly sighted with the view of Siliguri in between. The razor sharp ridge dropping down from Giddey to Tindharia will explain why the British extended Hill Cart Road all the way to Mahanadi since climbing straight up from Tindharia or Gayabari was not a feasible or environmentally sustainable proposition.
2. Tea Gardens All Along the Way
The entire route is surrounded by scenic tea gardens which include Tindharia Tea Estate, Selim Hill Tea Estate, Gidda Pahar Tea Estate, Goomtee Tea Estate and Jogmaya Tea Estate. The gentle, laid back ambience of the tea gardens with the sight of century old factory buildings and tea labourers plucking leaves brings a sense of peace and tranquility that can never be imagined in cities. Giddey Pahar is often shrouded in fog and it’s wonderful to see the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds.
3. Friendly People and Tasty Roadside Food
Tindharia and Gayabari area is known for its tasty road side food especially steaming momos and aloo dum. You will find several small snack shops where you can rest for a while with a cup of hot, Darjeeling tea or a steaming bowl of vegetable soup. The local people are quite friendly and love to entertain tourists and hikers.
Tips for Hikers
Best Time to Visit: The best time to embark on this Hike is from October to April when the sky is clear. You may avoid the months of December and January due to the extremely cold weather though many hikers find the cold weather more thrilling.
What to Pack: Comfortable hiking shoes, light layers for warmth, and plenty of water are essential. Don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars to relish the long, majestic views that you will encounter from several points on this route. Your camera of course is a must to capture the breathtaking views and wildlife!
Difficulty Level: This hike is difficult for beginners but not very challenging for seasoned hikers who relish steep climbing.
Respect the Environment and the Dignity of the People: Please carry a waste back with you and leave no trace of dirt, preserving the beauty of the region for future adventurers. Also make sure you return the friendly vibes from the local people with warmth and fellow-feeling.
