The double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat is Meghalaya's signature trek — and steeper than most people expect. Here is exactly what it involves, how to reach the trailhead, and how to do it comfortably.
Quick answer
The double-decker living root bridge trek descends roughly 3,000–3,500 steps from Tyrna village to Nongriat and back, taking about 4–6 hours round trip. It is a moderate trek — not technical, but the relentless stairs are hard on the knees both down and up. The trailhead at Tyrna is a 20–30 minute drive from Cherrapunji (Sohra). Go October–April for drier, less slippery steps, start early, and consider an overnight in Nongriat to split the climb and add Rainbow Falls.
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At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Steps (each way) | ~3,000 – 3,500 |
|---|---|
| Round-trip time | 4 – 6 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate — steep, hard on knees |
| Trailhead | Tyrna village (20–30 min drive from Sohra) |
| Best season | October – April (less slippery) |
| Pro tip | Overnight in Nongriat + add Rainbow Falls |
What the trek is actually like
From the trailhead at Tyrna, the path is a long descent down thousands of concrete and stone steps into the gorge, crossing wire suspension bridges over clear streams before reaching Nongriat village and the famous two-tier root bridge. The bridges themselves are living — grown over decades from the roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi people.
It is not a technical trek and needs no special gear, but be honest about the stairs: the descent burns your knees and the climb back out is a genuine cardio workout. Most reasonably fit people manage it; it is the steps, not the distance, that catch people out.
How to get to the trailhead
The trek starts at Tyrna village, about a 20–30 minute drive from Cherrapunji (Sohra) and roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from Shillong. There is no public transport that suits sightseeing timings, so almost everyone arrives by private cab. A common plan is to base in Sohra the night before, drive to Tyrna early, and trek with the whole day ahead of you.
- Trailhead: Tyrna village
- From Cherrapunji (Sohra): 20–30 min by cab
- From Shillong: ~2–2.5 hours by cab
- Start as early as you can — light fades by ~4 PM in winter
Day trip or overnight?
You can do it as a long day trip, but staying overnight in a basic Nongriat homestay is the relaxed way: you split the descent and ascent across two days and gain time to walk on to Rainbow Falls, one of the most beautiful spots in Meghalaya. If you only have a day, start early and pace yourself on the way back up.
Who should think twice
Anyone with knee or heart problems, very young children, or limited mobility should reconsider — there is no shortcut and no vehicle access to Nongriat, so once you are down, the only way out is back up the stairs. If the trek is not for you, you can still see the easier single-span Riwai living root bridge near Mawlynnong on flat ground.
- Carry water, sturdy shoes and some cash (small shops en route)
- Not ideal for bad knees, heart conditions or seniors
- Easier alternative: Riwai root bridge near Mawlynnong
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many steps is the double-decker root bridge trek?
Roughly 3,000–3,500 steps each way between Tyrna and Nongriat, so around 6,000–7,000 in total for the round trip. It is the sheer number of stairs, not the distance, that makes it tiring.
How long does the Nongriat trek take?
About 4–6 hours round trip at a steady pace, plus time to rest, swim and reach Rainbow Falls. Many people split it over two days with an overnight in Nongriat.
How do I reach the trek starting point?
The trailhead is Tyrna village, a 20–30 minute drive from Cherrapunji (Sohra) or about 2–2.5 hours from Shillong. There is no practical public transport, so travellers use a private cab.
Is the double-decker trek hard?
It is moderate — not technical, but the thousands of steep steps down and back up are hard on the knees and lungs. Most fit travellers manage it; those with knee or heart issues should reconsider.
Up nextShillong or Cherrapunji: Where Should You Base Your Trip?The trek starts early from Tyrna, near Sohra. Should you sleep in Sohra or Shillong the night before? Here is how locals split it.Read next (6 min) Keep reading
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Local operator
Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.