Lolegaon and Charkhole: Canopy Walks and 360° Himalayan Views
A guide to Lolegaon and Charkhole — canopy walks, Jhandidara sunrise, and 360° Himalayan views near Kalimpong.
Lolegaon and Charkhole sit in the Kalimpong subdivision at elevations that give them one of the finest vantage points for Kanchenjunga in all of North Bengal — and between them they offer one of the most unique forest experiences in the region.
Lolegaon — The Canopy Walk
Lolegaon's most famous attraction is its canopy walk — a 75-metre suspension trail suspended through the upper canopy of towering Himalayan trees. The experience of walking above the forest floor, with birdsong at eye level and the Kanchenjunga visible through the tree gaps, is unlike anything else in the hills.
Jhandidara Sunrise
The Jhandidara sunrise viewpoint, 4 km from Lolegaon, is one of the classic Himalayan dawn experiences — the full Kanchenjunga massif glowing orange above a sea of clouds.
Charkhole — The Rally Point
Charkhole, 15 km from Lolegaon, has a 360-degree view of the Himalayan range from its ridgetop and is the highest rally point in the entire Darjeeling–Sikkim region. Despite its fame in motorsport circles, it remains a very small village with just a handful of families.
Getting There
Both villages are around 4 hours from NJP via Kalimpong. Day trips between the two are possible — the forest road connecting them passes through dense oak and pine.
