The climb
A short but real climb with a rocky path, about an hour up at an easy pace. Do it in the morning and wear shoes with grip.
travel guide
Susunia Hill: the nearest real hill to Kolkata
Susunia in Bankura is the closest hill to Kolkata that you actually climb, about 201 km by road. A spring runs at the base, there is a fourth century rock inscription of Chandravarman, and the village below has been carving stone for generations. It is a one night trip, usually joined with Biharinath or Bishnupur.
travel guide
The short version
- Road distance from Kolkata
- 201 km
- From Barrackpore side
- 205 km
- Usual drive time
- 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Kolkata or Barrackpore
- Best time to go
- November to February. February for the palash
- Suits
- Families with school age children, first-time trekkers, history readers
travel guide
What you actually see there
The spring and the inscription
Water runs out of the hillside at the base all year, and near it is the old rock inscription. Both are at the bottom, so even people who do not climb have something to see.
The stone carvers’ village
Workshops along the road making bowls, idols and plates from local stone. Buy directly from the workshop rather than the roadside stalls.
How to reach
By car on the Durgapur Expressway and then the Bankura road, about 201 km from Kolkata and 205 km from Barrackpore, four and a half to five and a half hours. Bishnupur is about 65 km away and Biharinath about 50 km, so a two night trip covering all three is the usual plan. Rooms are limited, so book early for any winter weekend.
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What we tell people before they go
Small things that decide whether the day is good or tiring.
Start the climb by 8am. By eleven the rock is hot and there is no shade at the top.
Do not go past March. From then the whole belt is too hot to enjoy a climb.
Carry water up with you; there is nothing to buy on the path.
Road distances and drive times here are checked on road routing data and then widened for real traffic. Timings, ferry hours and entry rules change with the season, so ask us the day before you go and we will tell you what the road is like that week.
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Cars for this trip
These are the trips on our list that match this guide. Pickup is from your gate.
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We pick up from these areas
A day trip works best when the car reaches you early, from your own side of town.
questions
Questions about Susunia Hill: the nearest real hill to Kolkata
Can Susunia be done in one day from Kolkata?
It is 201 km each way, so a single day means twelve hours of driving and a rushed climb. We suggest one night, with Bishnupur or Biharinath added.
Is the climb safe for a ten year old?
The lower part is fine for children with an adult holding hands on the rocky bits. The very top has loose stone, so most families stop short of it and nobody misses much.
not sure yet? send the date anyway. If we cannot do it, we will say so.
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want a car for it
Tell us the date and we plan the day
Send the date and how many people are going. We tell you which car fits, when the car should start, and the full price in writing before you decide.