Hundru Falls

The Subarnarekha river drops about ninety-eight metres at Hundru, second in Jharkhand only to Lodh Falls and among the higher ones in India, over a stepped rock face into a pool at the base. The name of the river means streak of gold, from historic traces of gold in its sands. A stair of several hundred steps descends beside the fall to the pool, where bathing is possible in low water. The flow varies enormously: after the monsoon it is a wide sheet of brown water, while by April and May it can reduce to threads down the rock. Jonha and Dassam falls lie within reach on the same plateau.

What you actually see

• The ninety-eight metre drop - the river falling over a stepped rock face.
• The descent stair - several hundred steps down to the plunge pool.
• The seasonal flow - a full sheet after rain, threads by late spring.
• The plateau falls - Jonha and Dassam nearby on the same rivers.

When to go

July to February; the fall peaks from August to October and reduces sharply by March. The steps are slippery in the wet and the pool dangerous in high water.

Honest expectations

Drownings occur in the pool and rocks are slick; bathing in high water is genuinely dangerous. The stair is steep and hard on the return. Facilities are minimal and litter is a problem.

Nearby

Ranchi lies southwest; Jonha falls are nearby.