The short answer
Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat: what visitors should know first
Only if you are fit and have half a day or more. The trail from Tyrna is about 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps down, and the same back up, with no shortcut. Take a local guide, start early, and skip it if you have knee, heart or balance concerns. There are easier root-bridge options elsewhere.
History and context
The story behind Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat
Living root bridges are found in the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills. Local people train the aerial roots of Ficus elastica across streams over many years, and the Nongriat double-decker bridge is estimated to be about 200 years old.
Useful facts
Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat facts at a glance
- Location
- Nongriat village, East Khasi Hills; trail from Tyrna
- Experience type
- Long forest trek to a living bridge
- Known for
- Two-level root bridge of Ficus elastica
- Steps
- About 3,000-3,500 stone steps each way
- Best months
- October to March
- Visitor note
- Local guide strongly advised
Why it matters
Why Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat is worth your time
The living root bridges of the Khasi Hills are among Meghalaya's most distinctive achievements. Communities guide young, flexible roots of the rubber fig across streams, sometimes using bamboo or areca palm trunks as scaffolding, and over years the roots thicken and fuse into a bridge that can carry many people and last for centuries. The double-decker at Nongriat is estimated to be around 200 years old, and is the best-known example.
These bridges are built by patience across generations. A bridge begun by one person may be finished by their grandchildren, and the structure gets stronger with age because the roots keep growing. That makes the Nongriat bridge a living piece of community engineering, rather than just a photo stop.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Two bridges, one above the other
The double-decker is the best-known living root structure in Meghalaya.
- 02
The forest trail
Suspension bridges, streams and small villages break up the descent.
- 03
Rainbow Falls
A further walk beyond the bridge for strong, early-starting trekkers.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The trail begins at Tyrna village, about 30 to 45 minutes by taxi from Sohra, and drops through forest on some 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps. You pass small settlements, a number of suspension bridges and streams, before reaching Nongriat, where the double-decker bridge stands: two living root bridges, one above the other, formed from the aerial roots of the rubber fig (Ficus elastica). Take your time on the way down, because the steps are uneven and often damp.
The climb back is the hard part. Plan your day so that you start early and are on the way out by early afternoon, and carry water and a snack, as there are few places to buy supplies. A local guide is strongly recommended, both for the route and for local knowledge; they will know the bridge's condition and the state of the stream. Those who want to go further can continue to Rainbow Falls, which is a longer and more tiring walk, and is not recommended in a single day unless you start very early.
If the steps are beyond you, there are other, easier ways to see how Khasi communities grow living bridges, and you can learn about them without making the descent. Be honest about your fitness.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Start at first light and be on your way up by early afternoon
- Hire a local guide
- Carry water, snacks and a rain layer
- Wear shoes with strong grip and use a walking stick if you have one
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Nongriat village, about 15 km from Sohra; the trail starts at Tyrna
- Time needed
- Half to full day including the climb back
- Best time
- October to March, when the steps are drier; start at first light
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- This is not suitable for most older travellers or anyone with knee, heart or balance problems. The steps are steep and often wet, the return is all uphill and there is no vehicle access in the village. A fit walker should allow plenty of rest stops.
- Tickets and access
- A local fee is commonly collected in the village, and a local guide is strongly advised. Check current arrangements through the tourism helpline or your hotel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is not suitable for most older travellers or anyone with knee, heart or balance problems. The steps are steep and often wet, the return is all uphill and there is no vehicle access in the village. A fit walker should allow plenty of rest stops.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How many steps are there to Nongriat?
About 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps each way from Tyrna, according to Meghalaya Tourism and trail accounts.
Can older people do the Nongriat walk?
Not recommended unless very fit. The return climb is long and steep with no easy exit.
Do I need a guide?
Meghalaya Tourism strongly recommends a local guide who knows the route and the language.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
