If you want to experience the beauty of hills, forests, rivers and waterfalls on a single weekend, the Barsuan Valley on the Jharkhand-Odisha border is one of the few options before you.

The almost-five-hour train journey from Rourkela to the Barsuan mines, through the hills and the Saranda forest, provides glimpses of what awaits you.

If you are sitting next to the window, leaves of teak and other trees will brush against your arms and the breeze will fill your nostrils with the smell of wild flowers as the train chugs past tiny hill stations like Dhumetra, Lathiketa, Champajharan and Chandiposi.

Remember that there is only one local train from Rourkela to the Barsuan Valley every morning. Time your trip to Rourkela such that you can catch it.

The hills that surround the valley are rich in minerals, especially iron and manganese.

The area is a part of the Saranda forest range and you can find trees like sal, akashmoni and sissoo in large numbers. They stand in rows mile after mile as if somebody has punished them.

Among other animals, deer and elephants roam the forest. Human presence is restricted to tribals and they are generally very helpful.

A 30km drive will take you to Khandadhar — India’s 12th highest waterfall — at Nandapani in Sundargarh district. It’s a must visit. The waterfall originates from Karapani Nala at a height of 801ft and looks like the tail of a horse.

The spume at the base of the waterfall extends a quarter of a mile down the river.

Going

There are several trains from Howrah to Rourkela. A morning local from Rourkela goes to Barsuan. The journey takes around five hours. You can also hire a car for the trip to Barsuan.

Staying

Barsuan has a few hotels and lodges. Rourkela offers several accommodation options.

(Metro on Sunday thanks reader SAMIR CHAKRABORTY for the contribution. Pictures by author)