After 39 Years: Darjeeling’s Historic Ragerung Trekking Route Officially Reopens for Tourists
In a monumental move for Himalayan tourism, the historic trekking route from Darjeeling’s Chaurasta (Mall) to the serene Ragerung Tea Garden has officially reopened to the public after remaining closed for nearly four decades. The trail, which was once a staple for adventure seekers and students of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), was inaugurated on Saturday, December 6, 2025, marking a new chapter for travel in the "Queen of the Hills."
The reopening was part of the vibrant Melo-Tea Festival (also known as the Mello Tea Fest), organized by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). To celebrate the occasion, a special event titled "D-Hike" saw approximately 250 trekkers and professional mountaineers traverse the 12-kilometer path, breathing life back into a route that has been silent since 1986.
A Walk Down Memory Lane: Why the Route Was Closed
Historically, this 12-km stretch was vital for the HMI Darjeeling as a primary training ground for its students. However, the route was closed in 1986 due to the unrest of the Gorkhaland movement. For 39 years, despite numerous requests from the Ragerung Homestay Owner’s Association and local tea garden authorities, the path remained inaccessible to regular tourists.
The GTA’s recent initiative to revive heritage tourism sites across the Darjeeling hills finally prioritized this trail, fulfilling a long-standing demand to reconnect the main town with the hidden hamlets of the valley.
The D-Hike Experience: Chaurasta to Ragerung
The revitalized trekking route begins at the iconic Chaurasta Mall, descends through the lush greenery of the Rungdung valley, and concludes at the Ragerung (or Rangaroon) Tea Garden.
Key Features of the Route:
Distance: Approximately 12 Kilometers.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, suitable for amateur hikers and nature lovers.
Scenery: Panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range, sprawling tea estates, and dense Himalayan forests.
Bird Watching: The Rungdung valley area is a known haven for rare Himalayan bird species.
Boosting Local Tourism and Homestays
The reopening is expected to provide a massive boost to the local economy, particularly for the village of Ragerung. Currently, there are 22 active homestays in the area that offer a peaceful, offbeat alternative to the crowded main town of Darjeeling.
Shering Sherpa, President of the Ragerung Homestay Owners' Association, noted that the village has been a "peaceful paradise" since homestay tourism began there in 2011, but the lack of a direct trekking link from the town center had limited its reach. "With this 12-km path reopened, tourists can now experience the authentic charm of the tea gardens and mountains in the most traditional way possible—by walking," Sherpa said.
Future of Adventure Tourism in Darjeeling
The GTA had originally planned to reopen the route on the birth anniversary of Tenzing Norgay, but the launch was moved to coincide with the Melo-Tea Festival to maximize international visibility. This move signals a broader strategy by West Bengal tourism to promote sustainable, eco-friendly adventure activities as we head into 2026.
For travelers planning a visit this winter, the Ragerung trek offers a unique "high-low" experience—starting from the colonial charm of the Darjeeling Mall and ending in the misty, quiet cradle of a heritage tea hamlet.