Shiva Khola to Mahanadi.
The Orchard Climb.
Tea on one side. Oranges on the other. A finish line on Hill Cart Road.
- 9 km
- +700m
- 4 to 5 hours
- Climbing north. Tea gardens on rolling hills, oranges in winter.
- October to February.
Rhythm · Morning · back by 09:00Shiva Khola is roughly 25 km from Siliguri.
Route
How the trail goes.
The trail leaves the river bed and climbs through tea gardens, then meets small orange orchards along the way. In season the trees carry bright fruit and the local vendors sell what they pick. The terrain mixes gradual climbs with sharp drops and rocky paths, which is what makes this hike sit at the challenging end of the bracket. The climb ends at Hill Cart Road in Mahanadi.
Highlights
What stays with you.
- Tea gardens stretching to the ridgeline.
- Orange orchards. Fruit on the trees in winter. Sometimes a vendor with a basket.
- Sweeping foothill views. The green of the gardens against the blue of distant peaks.
- Mixed terrain. Several ascents and descents on rocky paths, which is what earns this trail its grade.
Waypoints
The route, hour by hour.
- 00:00Shiva Khola riverside
- 01:00Tea garden ridge
- 02:30Orchard section (seasonal)
- 04:00Hill Cart Road, Mahanadi
What to carry
Five things, no more.
- Water, 1.5 litres
- Light fleece, removable
- Trail runners, not hiking boots
- Phone on aeroplane mode
- A notebook, if you write
Back at base
The morning ends here.
Mahanadi sits on Hill Cart Road. Pick-up here is straightforward.
Source
1001things.org/exploring-the-trek-from-shiva-khola-to-mahanadi/1001things.org is an initiative of Inspiria Knowledge Campus.