Sukna to Chunbhatti: Hiking Through Forests and Hills Along the Toy Train’s Route

For beginners as well as amateur trekkers, the trek from Sukna to Chunbhatti is an excellent hike along the Hill Cart Road amidst the most beautiful natural beauty one could imagine. Sukna, which is around 10 kilometres away from Siliguri, is the place from where the climb up to the Darjeeling hills starts. The terrain changes magically as you cross Sukna and enter a dense forest with the toy trains tracks crisscrossing the road a number of times. There is a small valley on the left and the hills of Kurseong above, the buzzing of crickets and the sight of the toy train chug-chugging up the bends creates an enchanting, lazy ambience that makes the hike very special.

The Route Overview

The trek starts from Sukna which is literally on the foothill and moves along the famed, century old Hill Cart Road up to Rongtong four kilometers above. From Rongtong you can choose two ways to hike up to Chunbhatt. The easier option is to just follow the Hill Cart Road for four more kilometers to reach Chunbhatti.

The other option is to go up the Shivkhola Road towards the Sepoy Dhura Tea factory. Before you reach the factory, you follow the route left and a ten minute walk from here will take you to Chunbhatti. The second route from Rongtong to Sepoy Dhura is a bit steep but you will get excellent viewpoints offering you a majestic view of Gulma and the plains towards the south.

Traffic on the Hill Cart Road from Sukna is sparse. Once upon a time it was an extremely busy road. But after the construction of the Rohini road from Simulbari to Kurseong, the distance between Siliguri and Kurseong reduced considerably. Ninety percent of the vehicles travelling to Darjeeling from Siliguri go via the Rohini road.

Highlights of the Trek

1. Walk Through the Deep Sukna Forest
   Once you cross Sukna you will be walking across a two kilometers stretch of the Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary. The forest is deep and the toy trains tracks criss-crossing the road a number of times adds immensely to the beauty of the place. There is a good chance of sighting elephants and even peacocks. You can hear the non-stop buzzing of crickets, the occasional sound of a vehicle moving up and the chirping of birds as you walk through the forest. As the forest ends, the sharp bends in the road begins and before you realize you are near Rongtong.
   
   
2. Excellent Viewpoints All Along the Way
   The entire stretch of Hill Cart Road from Sukna to Kurseong offers you excellent views of the hilly landscape overlooking the plains. If you are taking the Sepoy Dhura route after Rongtong, you can stop at the Shivkhola Viewpoint. From here you can get a long view of the Mahananda Wild Sanctuary with the Mahananda river meandering past Gulma towards Siliguri.
   Two kilometers before Chunbhatti, the Hill Cart Road takes a sharp turn from where the edge of the hill moves to the right. At this point there is a park that provides a clear view of the army camps near Khaprail and of Kurseong in the north.
   
   
3. The Toy Train’s Famed ‘Z-Reversal’ Between Rongtong and Chunbhatti
   The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway that runs the famed toy train is an engineering marvel. Its construction was completed in 1881 by British engineers. A striking feature of the DHR is the ‘Z-Reversal’ which allows the train to negotiate sharp and steep turns on the hilly terrain. There is one such ‘Z’ Reversal’ between Rongtong and Chunbhatti. If you plan your hike to coincide with the toy train schedule, you may get to see the amazing sight of the train moving forward below the road. The train then reverses up to cross the road and move further up backwards. Then it moves forward again above the road. This is a unique experience which trekkers will find special.
   
   
4. Scenic Tea Gardens Dotting Hill Sides
   Darjeeling tea is famous around the world. And all along the way, you will get the eye-soothing view of neatly spruced tea bushed on the undulating hill sides – green and fresh. If you have the time, you can also visit the factory of a tea estate either at Sepoy Dhura or at Chunbhatti and witness the tea production process.
   

Tips for Trekkers

Best Time to Visit: This is an entry-level trek for beginners and can be taken any time of the year.

What to Pack: Comfortable hiking shoes, light jackets or windcheaters and plenty of water and juice. Don’t forget your camera to capture the breathtaking views and wildlife!

Difficulty Level: This trek is moderately difficult, so it’s suitable for fit beginners as well as experienced hikers looking for a scenic challenge.

Respect the Environment and the Dignity of the People: Be sure to carry a waste back with you so you don’t litter the roads, preserving the beauty and cleanliness of the places you will be trekking past. Also it helps immensely to return the warm hospitality of the local people with friendly fellow feeling.