Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, the Dooars and Bhutan · a planner replies within one working day

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Picnic at Rocky Island on the Murti

A riverside afternoon among the huge boulders of Rocky Island, where the Murti runs fast and clear below Samsing.
Picnic at Rocky Island on the Murti
Photo: KshitizBathwal · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rocky Island is a stretch of the Murti a few kilometres from Samsing, where the river cuts between and around great grey boulders. In the dry season you can scramble on the rocks, sit by the water and watch dippers and wagtails. There are a few simple camps and cottages nearby.

It is a favourite picnic spot for local families on Sundays and holidays, so come on a weekday for quiet. Take all litter away with you. The river rises fast after rain in the hills; if the water looks high or brown, stay on the bank.

Questions travellers ask

Good to know

How far is Rocky Island from Samsing?

It is a few kilometres away, about 15–20 minutes by car on a narrow road down towards the Murti. You can also walk with directions from your homestay, allowing about an hour each way. The road is steep in places.

Can I swim at Rocky Island?

We advise against it. The Murti is cold, fast and full of rocks here, and it rises suddenly after rain in the hills. Paddle at the edge in the dry season with others nearby, and keep children well away from fast water.

Can I camp at Rocky Island?

A few operators run simple tented camps and cottages near Rocky Island. Book through your driver or homestay, and check that camps are licensed and away from the riverbed. Do not camp on the riverbed itself.

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