Dow Hill and Eagle's Crag Forest Walk, Kurseong

The Dow Hill and Eagle's Crag forest walk is a gentle loop of about 5 to 6 km above Kurseong in Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Kurseong lies between Siliguri and Darjeeling and is reached by shared jeep or by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train, and the walk starts from Dow Hill Road, about 3 km from the town centre, which can be covered on foot or by taxi. No special permit is normally needed for the public road, though some forest areas around Dow Hill are managed by the forest department, so visitors should follow local signage. The walk takes about two to three hours and climbs only a few hundred metres between roughly 1,460 m and 1,700 m, which makes it easy and suitable for first-time hikers. The surface is mostly paved forest road and dirt path, with little exposure. Shade is plentiful under pine and cryptomeria trees, and the air is cool and often misty, especially in the monsoon. Landmarks along the way include the Dow Hill area with its forest woodlands and school buildings, the Dow Hill forest office and museum area, and the Eagle's Crag viewpoint, a rocky outlook above the plains of the Terai where visitors can see the lowlands stretching toward Siliguri on clear days. The viewpoint is the natural turn-around point, and walkers can return along the same road or make a loop. There are no refuge huts on the route; small tea stalls in Kurseong and near Dow Hill provide refreshments, but water should be carried. Leeches and slippery leaf litter can be a problem after rain, so sturdy shoes are advised. The walk fits well into a stop in Kurseong, which is also known for its tea gardens and hill-station atmosphere.