Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya: Nongriat, Riwai and How to Visit

Living root bridges are footbridges grown from the roots of rubber fig trees, and the best known are in the Cherrapunji (Sohra) area of East Khasi Hills. The most visited is the double-decker bridge at Nongriat, reached by a long stepped trek from Tyrna village. If you want something shorter, the single-decker bridge near Mawlynnong needs only a short walk.

Quick facts

Where: East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Nongriat is about 15 km from Sohra (Cherrapunji), per Meghalaya Tourism.
Local name: Jingkieng Jri, the Khasi term used in UNESCO's tentative-list entry.
How to reach Nongriat: Road to Tyrna village (a taxi from Sohra takes 30 to 45 minutes), then a stepped descent on foot.
Nearest airports: Shillong (about 89 km from Nongriat) and Guwahati (about 177 km), per Meghalaya Tourism.
Best months: October to March for trekking; monsoon trips need extra caution.
Permits: Indian nationals generally need no permit for Meghalaya; foreign nationals must register on arrival (Meghalaya Tourism, as of October 2026).
Time needed: A full day for Nongriat from Sohra, or an overnight stay in the valley. Allow 1 to 2 hours for the Mawlynnong bridge.
Helpline: Meghalaya Tourism lists a toll-free number, 1800 599 2026.

What are living root bridges and who grows them?

The bridges are grown, not built. Khasi and Jaintia communities guide the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree (Ficus elastica) across a stream or ravine, often using hollowed betel nut trunks or bamboo as a temporary guide. When the roots reach the far bank they take hold in the soil, and over years they thicken and interlock into a walkable span.

Because the structure is alive, it tends to get stronger with age instead of rotting in the wet climate. National Geographic describes lifespans of several hundred years for the oldest examples. A 2019 study of 76 bridges, reported by Smithsonian Magazine, found ages from about 15 to 700 years. Bridges are generally looked after by families, village communities or groups of villages.

In February 2022 India submitted the "Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes" to UNESCO's tentative list. The entry mentions more than 75 villages with such structures. A tentative listing is not full World Heritage status, and as of October 2026 you should check UNESCO for any change.

How to reach the bridges from Shillong or Guwahati

Most visitors base themselves in Shillong or Sohra.

Shillong to Sohra: about 55 to 58 km by road, with shared taxis and private cars running daily (Meghalaya Tourism).
Guwahati airport to Sohra: about 167 to 171 km, depending on the page you read. Plan most of a morning; see the Guwahati gateway guide for arrival options.
Sohra to Tyrna: a short taxi ride, roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Public transport is limited, so many travellers hire a taxi for the day.

For the Guwahati to Shillong leg by road, see the Guwahati to Shillong cab page.

How hard is the Nongriat double-decker trek?

It is a demanding day hike. Meghalaya Tourism describes the route as going downhill from Tyrna on stone steps, with figures of about 3,000 to 3,500 steps. Travel writers describe a descent of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours and a longer climb back of 2.5 to 3 hours, though your pace will differ. The route includes wire suspension bridges over streams.

The practical points:

Start early so the climb back does not fall in the afternoon heat.
Wear shoes with grip. Steps and rocks are slippery after rain.
Carry water, snacks and a rain layer. Shops near the double-decker bridge sell basics, but supplies thin out beyond it.
Carry cash. Mobile signal can be patchy and there are no ATMs near the bridges.
If you have knee problems or are travelling with young children, consider staying overnight in a village homestay rather than doing the return climb the same day.

Beyond the double-decker bridge, trails lead to Rainbow Falls and natural pools. Sources disagree on how long that extension takes, so ask your guide in Nongriat before you commit.

Which other bridges can I visit?

Nohwet near Mawlynnong. Meghalaya Tourism lists a single-decker bridge a short walk from Mawlynnong, where visitors can cool off in the water below. It pairs well with the village and its Sky View bamboo tower. The Dawki and Mawlynnong guide covers that route, including a Sunday rule for day visitors that began in January 2026.

Riwai. This is another well-known bridge close to Mawlynnong. Published accounts differ on how far it is from the village, so confirm the walking distance locally. Check whether day visits are allowed on the day you travel.

Other villages. Meghalaya Tourism also names Rangthylliang among the root bridge sites. Remote bridges are best visited with a guide, because trails are poorly signed.

Where do the bridges fit in a Meghalaya route?

Nongriat and Mawlynnong are on different sides of the same southern Khasi Hills region, so most itineraries treat them as separate days. A common pattern is:

Day	Focus	Notes
1	Shillong to Sohra, Mawsmai cave, viewpoints	About 55 to 58 km from Shillong (Meghalaya Tourism)
2	Tyrna to Nongriat and back	Full day on foot; stay overnight in the valley if you prefer
3	Sohra to Mawlynnong, Nohwet bridge, Sky View	Meghalaya Tourism puts Mawlynnong about 76 km from Shillong
4	Dawki and the Umngot river (optional)	Best in the dry months

The Meghalaya Tourism sample 3-day itinerary covers Shillong, Sohra, Mawlynnong and Dawki, and spreading these over a few more days leaves room for the Nongriat trek. Drive times in these hills are longer than the distances suggest, because hill roads are winding, so treat any figure here as approximate.

What else is there to see near Sohra?

Meghalaya Tourism lists Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls (Noh Sngithiang), Wei Saw Dong, Arwah Cave and Mawsmai Cave among the main stops in the area. Waterfalls are strongest in the monsoon, while October to March gives pleasant weather for sightseeing. If you are choosing between a long trek and several shorter stops, the roadside sights make a good rest day between bridge visits.

When is the best time to go?

Meghalaya Tourism recommends October to March for the Nongriat trek, calling it the dry season. Winter is also busy, and the department advises booking rooms early. Cherrapunji and nearby Mawsynram receive some of the heaviest rain in the world (the tourism site cites nearly 12,000 mm a year for Mawsynram), and the monsoon, roughly June to September, brings flash floods and landslides that can close roads and make steps and stream crossings dangerous. For a month-by-month view of the state, see the Meghalaya best time guide.

How should visitors behave on the bridges?

The bridges are living structures that also serve as everyday village paths. A 2018 PTI report in Business Standard noted that heavy tourist numbers were straining some bridges, with no system to control visitors. Local groups were working with villages on awareness and protection.

Do not pull, cut or carve roots, and do not hang from the bridge.
Follow posted limits. Some bridges allow only a few people at a time, others carry larger groups.
Take your litter back out. Plastic is a serious problem on popular trails.
Hire a local guide or stay in a village homestay where you can, so that income reaches the communities that maintain the bridges.
Ask before photographing people or homes.

Plan your trip

A reasonable plan is one night in Sohra, an early start to Tyrna, the descent and return in daylight, and the Mawsmai caves afterwards if time allows (see the Meghalaya caves guide). To combine the bridges with the capital, use the Shillong 3-day itinerary. Re-check weather and road status with Meghalaya Tourism before you leave, since landslides can change plans at short notice. If you want a driver for the Guwahati, Shillong and Sohra route, Palanquin can arrange a car for it.

Questions answered

How many steps is the Nongriat double-decker root bridge trek?

The Meghalaya Tourism page for Nongriat gives about 3,500 steps in one place and about 3,000 in another, all downhill from Tyrna village. Treat it as 3,000 to 3,500 steps each way, and remember you must climb them all again on the way back.

Do I need a permit to visit the living root bridges?

Meghalaya Tourism states that Indian nationals generally do not need a permit to visit the state, and foreign nationals must register on arrival. Villages may collect small local fees at some bridges, so carry cash.

What is the best time to see the double-decker root bridge?

October to March is the dry season that Meghalaya Tourism recommends for the Nongriat trek. The monsoon (June to September) brings heavy rain and landslide risk, and the steps and stream crossings become much harder.

Do I need a guide for the Nongriat trek?

Meghalaya Tourism advises arranging a local guide or a companion who knows the route, terrain and language. It does not say a guide is compulsory, but a local guide also supports the villages that look after the bridges.

Are living root bridges real trees?

Yes. They are grown by the Khasi and Jaintia communities from the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree (Ficus elastica), guided across streams over many years. The living roots keep strengthening, so some bridges are many decades or centuries old.

Can I see a root bridge without a long trek?

Yes. The Nohwet single-decker bridge near Mawlynnong is a short walk from the village, according to Meghalaya Tourism. It is the easiest option, while Nongriat is a demanding full-day trek.

Sources

Permits, fees, timings, road conditions and advisories change often. Confirm the current position with the official body named in the article before you travel.