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BIHARINATH HILL

Duration

1 Day

Base

Bankura/Asansol

Best time to Visit

Monsoon and Winter

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Altitude

1483 feet.

Biharinath Hill Trek

Biharinath, an underrated hill covered into the lush greenery and dense forest of the Bankura District stands tall at a height of 451 metres the district. Falling in the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal, it has been an attraction among trekkers and rock climbers for years.

The chirping birds, colourful flowers, flowing river Damodar, dense jungles and narrow paths adds more beauty and thrill to this hill. It is situated 60 km northwest of Bankura town and 14Kms northeast of Saltora town.

Biharinath has a different colour in different seasons.  The best time to visit Biharinath is during the monsoon seasons when the hill and its surrounding areas get covered in the lush green colour. This is the time when the water level in Damodar rises up and all the leaves, branches, stems get soaked in rain which adds a beautiful hue of green colour in the valley.

In spring, the entire region is covered with blooming ‘Palash’ and ‘Simul” flower. The scene is none less than a visual treat to the eyes, it feels as if you are under a canopy of orange leaves throughout your trip. This place is a must for the people who really want to take a break from their daily life and get their mood freshened while staying in the lap of nature.

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On way to Biharinath hill. Picture by Priyadarshini Ghosal.
 

What should you look for?

The view from the top is so mesmerizing that it can leave anyone in awe of nature. During the breeding season, you can see the migratory birds gathering all around the lake.

This district has many small ponds which can be spotted from the top. You can also hear the bells ringing and the prayer chants if you start the trek early morning.

It changes color every season which offers the trekkers or the rock climbers different views all throughout the year.

Although this trek is accessible throughout the year, the best time to trek this hill is during monsoon and winter.

If you are trekking through the trails during the monsoon you should not miss out on the view when the dark clouds entirely surround the hill which can leave anyone terrified.

Biharinath is surrounded by hills and abundant flora and fauna which means that you can easily spot many wild plants in the region. In winter you can buy molasses made from Date juice or you can consume date juices directly which are easily available near Biharinath in abundance. 

During Shivratri, the place is filled with pilgrims who come here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva, There are even fairs held during Shivratri.

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Amidst the lush green forest in monsoon. Picture by Naseeb Ali.
 

How to reach Biharinath?

BY AIR - The nearest airport to Biharinath Hill is Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport located at Andal, Paschim Bardhaman which is at a distance of 51 Kms. You can easily get a private cab for Biharinath or if you want to cut costs you can choose to travel to Asansol or Bankura by bus and then travel all the way to Biharinath Hill.

BY TRAIN - The Rail distance from Howrah to Bankura is 233 Kms. Trains from Howrah to Bankura are available on regular basis. From Bankura, you will have to take a private cab to Biharinath hill.

BY ROAD - Bankura has good connectivity with nearby places like Asansol, Raniganj, Andal, Durgapur, Kulti, etc, which means you won't have any issues with reaching Bankura. From Bankura make a hired cab and make your way to Biharinath.

If you are from Asansol, the best possible route for you would be to take the Bamboo bridge made over the Damodar river near Riverside, Burnpur. It will take around 30-40  minutes if you take the bridge.

Please Note -  The bridge made over Damodar river is very weak and thus it is strictly advised to carry two-wheelers on it. If you have someone on the pillion, he/she will have to walk through the bridge because the bridge is very sensitive.

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The Bamboo bridge over Damodar River.. Picture by Naseeb Ali.
 

About the Trails-

The entire trail right from the base to the top is of 3Kms. 

Initially, the ascent is a very gradual one, but as you go deeper it starts becoming steeper.

After around 300-400 meters the trail gets covered in big rocks and boulders which makes it a perfect experience for rock climbing.

There are some points where the rocks and boulders are loose, which can cause serious injury if slipped on, so be extremely careful while stepping those rocks.

These big rocks and boulders will check your patience and your coordination with your limbs.

After 300 meters the next 1 Km will test your stamina for sure. Remember the trek can be completed within 2.5 hours if you are physically fit and experienced. 

It is highly recommended to use trekking shoes for this trek, as they provide good grips at any given terrain which reduces the chances of an accident on the trail. If you are not having any proper trekking shoes, it is recommended to use any good sports shoes with a good grip.

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Trekking shoes on rocks and boulders can be very helpful. Picture by Priyadarshini Ghosal.
 

The trail takes you further deep into the forest, where you should look out for thorns that can seriously hurt you and might knock you down if hurt by many.

The final stretch to the summit is 300 m long, which will usually take around 10-15 min to complete.

As you keep on climbing, you will see a small shrine of Lord Hanuman installed between the rocks, and yes you have reached the summit.

You might hunt for a proper vantage point as the summit has no such view which will give you a panoramic view of the entire Bankura.

While exploring you should be extremely careful about anthills and snake holes. Anything can pop out unexpectedly anytime, thus it is advised to trek with proper shoes on and not on slippers that will cover your entire feet, thus reducing the chance of any such accident on the trails.

The main tricky part among the entire trail is the middle section, which will test your endurance. The trail is full of big rocks and boulders that can take more than hour to complete.

FAQs-

Q- What are the chances of getting lost in the forest and getting rescued?

A- The trails are well marked right from the start of the trek. There are very minimal chances of you taking the wrong route, even if you do so and get lost, just take the exact way back and DO NOT PANIC. You will see marks on the rocks which will take you through the correct trails.
In case you are lost, shout as much as possible and seek any local help. Please be assured that there are no such wild animals in the forests that can harm you.

Q- Can we camp on the top? 

A- No. In this trek, there are no camping spots. Do not try to camp by yourself, because this can be dangerous and illegal too. If you are spotted doing any activities like camping, bonfire, drinking, etc you will be taken into custody immediately by the forest officials.

Q- Do we need to carry food for this trek? How long can it take to complete?

A- Yes, it is suggested to carry some dry foods for your trek which can renew your energy and most importantly carry 2 water bottles, because there is no source of water in the entire trek and the trek itself can be very exhausting if you have limited water. After completing your trek you will get many food options for yourself in the base village.

(Please do not carry packaged foods or do not throw away wrappers or plastic food packets anywhere on the trail. Make sure to bring back all the waste you carry with you and dump them properly in the base village.)

Q- What are the chances of mobile connectivity?

A- The mobile network connectivity might differ for different network providers, but Jio, Vodafone and Airtel network does work in the region. It is also recommended to download an offline map of the region which might help you in your trek.

Q- What are some additional safety measures we should take care of before going for the trek?

A- Although this trek is not much dangerous compared to any other dense jungle treks because this can be completed within few hours and you will get easy guide from our documentation as well as on the trails, but there are few basic things to keep in mind before going for the trek -
 

  • Carry mosquito repellent along with you, because while trekking you will encounter many mosquitoes sucking up to you especially during monsoon season, also these repellents can help you from getting hit by any other small insects that can cause irritation. Also carry Suthol, Savlon, Cotton, Volini, and other such basic medics.

    Keep your well-wishers well informed about the trek, the route you are going to take when you'll start your trek. Keep them updated about the real-life network connectivity condition.

    Carry a cap because the sun can be pretty harsh and also wear a proper shoe that has a good grip and that covers up your entire foot (trekking shoes are highly recommended).

    While trekking lookout for branches or thorns that might hurt your face.

    Do not listen to loud music or plug in your earphones while on the trek, because that can keep you unaware of your surroundings.

    If you find any small or creepy insects on the trails, please avoid killing them because that is their habitat and everyone is entitled to live. Even if that is approaching you or crawling up to you, remove them away, just avoid killing them.



What are you waiting for? Pack your small daypack, tie your laces, and just start exploring this beautiful piece of nature near you. We have documented this trek in detail for you. If you have any further queries regarding the trek feel free to drop your question in the comment section. We'll revert asap.

Happy trekking ;) 
 

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