NE India
David Scott Trail
A gentle 16 km walk on a 200-year-old British bridle path
Wann Majaw · CC0 · Commons
Meghalaya
Easy–moderate
The David Scott Trail is Meghalaya's most popular day trek — a roughly 16 km stretch of the old bridle path built in the 1820s under the British administrator David Scott to link Assam with Sylhet (now in Bangladesh). Running from Mawphlang to Lad Mawphlang, it is a gentle, rolling walk through Khasi countryside of pine ridges, meadows, streams and small waterfalls, passing sacred groves and old stone monoliths.
It is achievable for anyone reasonably fit, needs no technical skill, and offers a lovely, uncrowded half-day in nature within easy reach of Shillong — best combined with a visit to the Mawphlang sacred grove at the trailhead.
Photo: Wann Majaw · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
The trek at a glance
GradeEasy–moderate
Duration1 day
Best seasonOct–Apr
BaseMawphlang, near Shillong
Highlights
Why trek David Scott Trail
- The historic 1820s British bridle path
- Rolling Khasi meadows, streams and waterfalls
- The Mawphlang sacred grove at the start
- An easy, scenic day walk from Shillong