Darjeeling is the only place in India to have an exclusive mountain biking park located inside one of the country’s oldest protected forests, the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary.
The 20-km stretch runs through the Sanctuary, undisturbed by other forms of vehicles which are prohibited in the region.The trail originates at the Sanctuary’s main gate near Jorbangla and finishes at Chatakpur, a quaint hilly hamlet.
The elevation of the Sanctuary ranges from 4,900 to 8,500 ft. The sanctury covers an area of 38.6 km2. It provides habitat for barking deer, wild boar, Himalayan black bear, Indian leopard, jungle cat, rhesus monkey, Assam macaque, Himalayan flying squirrel. A rich variety of birds are there in the sanctuary.
You will have to buy entry ticket from the Jorbangla gate. It will take 30 minutes on a cycle from the city centre of Darjeeling. Distance between Darjeeling town to Jorbangla gate is 8kms.
No food, except water is allowed to carry on the trail. It is completely plastic free area, and people are expected to maintain the ethics to keep the forest clean.
This 20-km stretch of cycle trail takes its course through thick pine forests. The cycling trail has gentle slopes with large rocks in some parts is not hard to handle. The trail is open from 6am to 6pm throughout the year, except during the monsoon season, from July to September.
In Chatakpur, where the cycle trail will finish, food and tea stalls are available. You can witness stunning sunrise from Chatakpu(7,800 ft). In that case, you will have to stay in Chatakpur that night. There are accommodations to stay. Otherwise, you may return back to Darjeeling city from Chatakpur via Sonada and Ghoom. Distance between Chatakpur and the centre of Darjeeling city is 21 kms.
Cycle rental in Darjeeling
You can take cycle on rent from different agencies in Darjeeling town. Some agencies –
Asmita Trek and Tours, 3A, Nehru Road (near Kaventers Restaurant),Darjeeling, Phone: 0354-2256050/ 97331 05312
Adventures Unlimited, 142/1, Jakir Hussain Road (near Mall),Darjeeling, Phone: 80055 96580.
Off Road Adventure, H.D. Lama Road, Darjeeling, Phone:90642 94450
Himalayan Bike Tour, 35/1, C. R. Das Road, Upper Bhutia Busty, Darjeeling, Phone: 78668 30106
Where to stay in Chatakpur
Chatakpur Nature Resort
(West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Property)
Booking through: https://wbfdc.net/
Chatakpur Humro Home Norbu Homestay
Phone: 97330 69690
Khulung Homestay
Phone: 89003 12451
Chatakpur Homestay
Phone: 97336 98089
Prem Homestay
Phone: 99036 78678
Akriti Homestay
Phone: 70296 26697
