Nongriat root bridges guide: the double-decker trek

This Nongriat root bridges guide is for anyone planning the long stone-stair descent to the Khasi hamlet of Nongriat, below Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, to see the famous double-decker living root bridge. It is a steep, strenuous walk, not a casual stroll, so this page sets out the steps, the season, the route from Shillong, your stay-or-day-trip choice, and the rules that keep the living bridges and the village intact.

Nongriat is a small village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, reached on foot by a descent of roughly 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps from Tyrna, near Sohra. Its draw is Jingkieng Nongriat, the double-decker living root bridge grown from Ficus elastica roots, plus clear bathing pools and a jungle trail onward to Rainbow Falls.

About Nongriat and the living root bridges

Nongriat sits in a deep, forested gorge in the East Khasi Hills, below the plateau town of Sohra (Cherrapunji). You cannot drive to it. The only way in is on foot, down a long masonry stairway from the trailhead village of Tyrna, crossing the Umshiang stream on steel wire bridges and older root bridges along the way.

The living root bridges, locally called Jingkieng Jri, are a Khasi feat of bioengineering, not carpentry. According to UNESCO, villagers train the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree (Ficus elastica) across a stream over roughly 10 to 15 years, until the roots knit into a bridge that keeps growing stronger with age. Nongriat’s showpiece is Jingkieng Nongriat, a rare double-decker with two root spans stacked over the water.

These bridges carry real cultural weight. In March 2022 the “Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes of Meghalaya” were added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, a preliminary step toward World Heritage nomination. UNESCO’s listing notes around 100 known living root bridges across 72 villages in the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts. Treat them as a living, working village resource, not a photo prop.

Best time to visit

Meghalaya Tourism recommends October to March, the dry season, for ideal trekking conditions. This is the window most walkers choose: firmer steps, clearer views and swimmable pools once the monsoon runoff eases.

Sohra is one of the wettest inhabited places on earth, so the monsoon (roughly June to September) brings heavy rain, slick stone, leeches and a swollen Umshiang. The waterfalls are at their most powerful then, but the descent is far more hazardous. Decide by your own comfort with wet, steep ground, and never rush the steps in rain.

Whatever the month, start the descent early. You want daylight in hand for the climb back out, and the stairway has no lighting.

How to reach Nongriat: Shillong–Sohra–Tyrna

The approach is in two parts: a road journey to the Tyrna trailhead, then the walk down. Most travellers base in Shillong or Sohra (Cherrapunji) and drive to Tyrna.

Sohra is about 54 km from Shillong, roughly a 1.5-hour drive on the Shillong–Mylliem–Sohra road. From Sohra, Meghalaya Tourism puts Tyrna about 15 km away, about a 30–45 minute taxi ride. From Tyrna, the only onward option to Nongriat is on foot.

By air, Meghalaya Tourism lists Guwahati airport (about 177 km) and Shillong (Umroi) airport (about 89 km) as the nearest. Guwahati has the widest flight network; from there it is a long road day to Sohra. Shared taxis and buses run from Shillong to Sohra, and local taxis cover the Sohra–Tyrna leg.

If you are planning a wider circuit, our Meghalaya travel guide sets out how Sohra and the root-bridge country fit alongside Shillong, Dawki and the northern cave belt.

The trek: steps, difficulty and time

This is the part to respect. Meghalaya Tourism describes the descent from Tyrna as roughly 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps, dropping steeply into the gorge. The way down is hard on the knees; the way back up is a sustained, lung-testing climb. Reasonably fit walkers often budget several hours for the round trip, but there is no official time, so pace yourself and build in rest stops.

The route is clear and used daily by villagers, with concrete steps, handrails in places and steel wire suspension bridges over the stream. You do not strictly need a guide to find the double-decker bridge, but Meghalaya Tourism advises arranging a local guide or companion familiar with the route, terrain and language, which also supports the village economy. For Rainbow Falls or an early start, a guide is worth it.

Porters are sometimes available at Tyrna to carry bags, and in some stretches local carriers offer to help less mobile visitors; agree any rate before you set off and treat it as a planning estimate to reconfirm on the day. To keep the trek manageable:

• Wear proper trekking shoes with grip; the steps can be wet and mossy.
• Use trekking poles if your knees are at all sensitive; the descent is the knee-strainer, the ascent the heart-and-lungs test.
• Carry enough water and refill at village shops rather than buying many plastic bottles.
• Start early and turn back with daylight to spare; do not attempt the stairway after dark.

Things to see and do

Nongriat packs several sights into a compact, walkable valley. The headline is the double-decker, but the single-root bridges, swimming pools and the onward trail reward the effort of getting down.

Meghalaya Tourism highlights Rainbow Falls, named for the turquoise water in its plunge pool, as a further walk past the double-decker bridge. It adds meaningful distance and climbing on an already demanding day, so attempt it only if you are fit, started early and ideally have a guide. Treat any time estimate as indicative and reconfirm locally before committing.

At the pools, check depth and current before entering, and never swim alone or after heavy rain. The gorge drains a very wet plateau, and flows can rise quickly.

Day trip or overnight in Nongriat

You can do Nongriat as a long day trip from Sohra, or stay a night in a village homestay. Both work; they suit different travellers.

Day trip: drive from Sohra to Tyrna early, walk down to the double-decker, swim, and climb back the same day. This avoids carrying much, but means the full down-and-up in one go, with little margin for Rainbow Falls.

Overnight: stay in Nongriat to break the climb, see the bridge in quiet early light, and take on Rainbow Falls fresh the next morning. This is the gentler option for knees and the more rewarding one for atmosphere.

• Day plan: leave Sohra early; taxi to Tyrna; descend to Nongriat; see the double-decker and pools; lunch at a village shop; climb back to Tyrna with daylight to spare.
• Two-day plan, day 1: descend at an easy pace; settle into a homestay; explore the bridges and pools; early night.
• Two-day plan, day 2: early trek to Rainbow Falls and back; lunch; climb out to Tyrna in the afternoon.

Where to stay

Nongriat itself has simple, family-run homestays and basic guesthouses rather than hotels; electricity and connectivity are limited, and rooms are modest. Many travellers also base in Sohra (Cherrapunji), where guesthouses and resorts are easier to book in advance.

The bands below are indicative planning estimates to reconfirm when you book, as of October 2026; small village stays rarely publish live rates, and prices move with season and demand.

Book Nongriat homestays ahead in the October–March peak, as beds are few. Carry cash; village stays usually cannot process cards, and connectivity for UPI is unreliable in the gorge.

Food to try

Village food in Nongriat is simple and home-cooked, built around what the homestays can carry down. Expect rice-based meals rather than a menu. Khasi cooking leans on rice, pork, chicken and fresh greens.

• Jadoh (rice cooked with meat, usually pork, and spices) — a Khasi staple.
• Dohneiiong (pork cooked with black sesame) — rich and nutty.
• Tungrymbai (fermented soybean paste dish) — pungent, strongly flavoured.
• Pumaloi (steamed powdered-rice preparation) and plain rice with dal and vegetables at homestays.
• Tea and maida snacks at trail shops; carry some fruit and nuts for energy on the climb.

Tell your homestay in advance if you are vegetarian; choices in the village are limited, and planning helps them cater without waste.

Budget breakdown

The figures below are indicative planning estimates to reconfirm, as of October 2026, for a two-day overnight trip for one person, excluding long-distance travel to Meghalaya. They assume shared taxis where possible and a village homestay.

Any community entry or maintenance charge collected at Tyrna or Nongriat is modest but can change; we could not verify a live figure this session, so treat the buffer above as a planning estimate and carry small notes.

Permits and responsible-tourism rules

No forest or safari permit is specific to the Nongriat trek. On wider entry rules, Meghalaya has for some years required visitors staying beyond 24 hours to register under state law, and in 2025 the state proposed a virtual permit-style system for tourists. Rules here are evolving as of October 2026, so check the latest Meghalaya government guidance before you travel and keep your ID handy.

The bigger duty at Nongriat is to the living bridges and the people who maintain them. These are working structures and sacred to the community, not an attraction built for visitors.

• Walk gently on the root bridges; do not pull, cut or carve roots, and do not overcrowd a span.
• Carry out all plastic and litter; Meghalaya enforces anti-plastic rules, and the gorge has no waste system.
• Ask before photographing people; residents are hosts, not subjects.
• Use village shops, homestays and guides so tourism income stays local.
• Do not use soap or shampoo in the natural pools or stream.
• Keep noise down, especially if you stay overnight.

Practical tips

A few specifics make the day safer and smoother:

• Fitness and knees: this is a strenuous trek. If you have knee, heart or breathing issues, consider the overnight option and poles, or reconsider the full descent.
• Connectivity: mobile signal in the gorge is weak to absent. Download offline maps and tell someone your plan.
• Cash: carry enough small notes for taxis, homestays, guides and shops; ATMs and reliable UPI are back up in Sohra, not in Nongriat.
• Water and food: carry water and energy snacks; refill where you can to cut plastic.
• Medical: there is no hospital in the village; the nearest facilities are in Sohra and Shillong. Carry a basic kit, any personal medicines and a torch.
• Solo and women travellers: the route is well used by villagers in daylight; still, start early, avoid being on the stairway after dark, and a local guide adds reassurance.
• Packing: grippy shoes, quick-dry clothes, rain layer even in the dry months, swimwear or quick-dry clothes for the pools, a dry bag for electronics, and a headtorch.

Nearby places

Sohra and the East Khasi Hills reward a few extra days around your Nongriat trek. The table pairs each with a reason to go.

For how these link into a longer itinerary, see our Meghalaya travel guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many steps is the Nongriat trek?

Meghalaya Tourism describes the descent from Tyrna village to Nongriat as roughly 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps. It is steep and continuous. The down leg strains the knees and the climb back is a sustained effort, so budget several hours and rest often. There is no official timing, as of October 2026.

Is the Nongriat double-decker trek difficult?

Yes. The trek is strenuous, with a long step descent into the gorge and a demanding climb back out. Reasonably fit walkers manage it with breaks, but those with knee, heart or breathing issues should consider staying overnight, using trekking poles, or skipping the full descent.

Can you stay overnight in Nongriat?

Yes. Nongriat has simple, family-run homestays and basic guesthouses. Staying overnight breaks the climb, lets you see the bridge in quiet early light and makes the Rainbow Falls extension more realistic. Book ahead in the October–March peak, carry cash, and expect limited electricity and connectivity.

What is the best time to visit Nongriat?

Meghalaya Tourism recommends October to March, the dry season, for ideal trekking conditions, with firmer steps and clearer pools. The monsoon from about June to September brings very heavy rain at Sohra, making the stone stairway slippery and higher-risk, though the waterfalls run at their most powerful then.

Do you need a permit or guide for Nongriat?

No forest permit is specific to the trek, but Meghalaya’s visitor-registration rules are evolving as of October 2026, so check state guidance and carry ID. A guide is not mandatory to the double-decker, but Meghalaya Tourism advises a local guide or companion familiar with the route, and it is strongly recommended for Rainbow Falls.

How do you reach Tyrna, the Nongriat trailhead?

Base in Sohra (Cherrapunji), about 54 km from Shillong. From Sohra, Meghalaya Tourism puts Tyrna about 15 km away, roughly a 30–45 minute taxi ride. From Tyrna, the only way to Nongriat is on foot, down the long stone stairway. There is no road to the village.

Last updated and sources

Nongriat suits fit, prepared walkers who want to see a genuine piece of Khasi bioengineering and will tread lightly on it. Go in the dry window of October to March, start early, and consider an overnight to spare your knees and respect the village pace.

Last updated: 4 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Meghalaya Tourism, Nongriat destination pages (meghalayatourism.in); UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes of Meghalaya” Tentative List entry (whc.unesco.org); EastMojo report on the UNESCO Tentative List inclusion, March 2022 (eastmojo.com); reporting on Meghalaya’s visitor-registration and proposed permit system, 2025 (nenow.in); Wikipedia entry for Nongriat used to locate primary details (en.wikipedia.org). Accessed October 2026.