Nongriat Root-Bridge Trek
3,000 steps down to the famous double-decker living root bridge
The trek to Nongriat is the most rewarding walk in the Cherrapunji area — a steep descent of around 3,000 stone steps from the village of Tyrna into a lush gorge, to reach the celebrated double-decker living root bridge, hand-grown by the Khasi over generations from the roots of the rubber fig tree. Along the way are jade-green rock pools perfect for a swim and several other root bridges.
The steep climb back up is demanding on the legs, so most people break the trek with a night in a Nongriat homestay, using the extra time to walk on to the beautiful Rainbow Falls. It is one of the defining experiences of the Northeast, and the living root bridges are on India's UNESCO tentative list.
The trek at a glance
Why trek Nongriat Root-Bridge Trek
- The double-decker Umshiang living root bridge
- Jade-green natural swimming pools
- Rainbow Falls beyond Nongriat
- A Nongriat homestay to break the climb