The Singshore Bridge is a one-lane suspension bridge strung across a deep, forested gorge in Gyalshing (Geyzing) district, West Sikkim, on the quiet road between Pelling and the trekking village of Uttarey. It is widely described as the highest bridge in Sikkim, and it has become a standard stop on the Pelling sightseeing circuit for the view down into the valley and the gentle, nerve-testing sway as you walk across. This guide covers the height and length claims, the walk itself, how to get there, the best season, where to stay and what to see nearby.
The Singshore Bridge is a suspension bridge over a gorge near Pelling in Gyalshing (Geyzing) district, West Sikkim, reported at over 100 m high and 240 m long. It is called the highest bridge in Sikkim, with waterfalls below and forested hills on either side, roughly 26 km from Pelling town.
Key takeaways
- The Singshore Bridge is in Gyalshing (Geyzing) district, West Sikkim, on the Dentam–Uttarey road, about 26 km (1.5–2 hours by mountain road) from Pelling, as of October 2026.
- English Wikipedia, citing tourism sources, lists it at over 100 m (328 ft) high and 240 m (787 ft) long; the Ministry of Tourism rural-tourism portal calls it the highest bridge in Sikkim and “second highest in Asia.” No single engineering survey is public, so ranking claims vary.
- The nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB) near Siliguri, roughly 135–150 km away; the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP). Pakyong (PYG) near Gangtok has intermittent flights (as of October 2026).
- Indian citizens need no permit for Pelling, Uttarey or the bridge; foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit (also called an Inner Line Permit) to enter Sikkim.
- March to May and October to December give the clearest, driest conditions; the June–September monsoon brings heavy rain, landslides and poor visibility.
- Sikkim officials announced plans for bungee jumping at the bridge in March 2025; a launch date and price had not been confirmed as of October 2026.
About the Singshore Bridge and its height claims
The Singshore Bridge is a suspension bridge in Gyalshing (Geyzing) district, West Sikkim, built in the early 2000s from iron and concrete to connect the villages of Dentam and Uttarey across the gorges that separate them. According to English Wikipedia, which cites tourism outlets including Incredible India, Mint and IndiaTimes, it is over 100 m (328 ft) high and 240 m (787 ft) long, “making it the highest bridge in Sikkim.” The Ministry of Tourism rural-tourism portal repeats the figures and adds that it is the “second highest bridge in Asia.”
Treat the superlatives with care. The height and length are quoted consistently at about 100 m and 240 m across sources, but no public engineering survey confirms them, and the “second highest in Asia” ranking appears only on tourism and travel pages, not in any official state record this guide could open (as of October 2026). It is safe to call the Singshore Bridge the highest road bridge in Sikkim and one of the higher gorge suspension bridges in the region; beyond that, the claims vary by source.
The bridge carries a single lane of traffic, so cars cross one direction at a time while pedestrians use the same deck. The gorge beneath drops away sharply, with forested hillsides on both sides and small waterfalls visible in the folds of the valley after rain. For context on the wider region, see our Sikkim travel guide.
| Detail | Reported figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Height above gorge | Over 100 m (328 ft) | English Wikipedia (citing tourism sources); Outlook Traveller gives “100 m” |
| Length | 240 m (787 ft) | English Wikipedia; Outlook Traveller |
| Type | One-lane vehicular suspension bridge | Bridgemeister inventory |
| Built | Early 2000s, iron and concrete | English Wikipedia |
| Connects | Dentam and Uttarey villages | English Wikipedia; Bridgemeister |
| District | Gyalshing (Geyzing), West Sikkim | Government rural-tourism listing (Dentam–Uttarey Road) |
| Ranking claim | “Highest in Sikkim,” “second highest in Asia” | Tourism sources only; varies |
The gorge, the view and the walk across
Walking across the Singshore Bridge is the whole point of stopping, and it is an honest test of nerve. The deck is long and narrow, and because it is a suspension span it moves: a gentle bounce under your own steps and a side-to-side sway when a vehicle crosses or the wind picks up. People prone to vertigo feel it most at the middle, where the drop to the gorge floor is greatest and the far end still looks distant. The movement is normal for a bridge of this type, but if heights unsettle you, keep one hand on the cable, look ahead rather than straight down, and walk steadily rather than stopping in the centre.
The reward is the view. From the deck you look down into a deep green gorge, with ridgelines rising on either side and seasonal waterfalls threading the forest below, especially heavy just after the monsoon. On a clear morning the light falls into the valley rather than flattening it, which is why photographers prefer the early hours. The crossing takes only a few minutes at a walk, but most visitors spend 20–40 minutes here with photos and the return walk.
A practical note on the bridge’s future: in March 2025, Sikkim’s Roads and Bridges Minister N.B. Dahal inspected the site for a planned bungee-jumping facility, reported by Outlook Traveller as the first of its kind in Sikkim. As of October 2026, no confirmed launch date or price had been published, so do not plan a trip around the jump without reconfirming.
Best time to visit
The clearest conditions for the Singshore Bridge fall in spring (March to May) and autumn to early winter (October to December), when skies are driest and the gorge and distant peaks are most visible. The June–September monsoon brings heavy rain, landslides and road closures across West Sikkim, with poor visibility and a real risk of blocked roads; this is the weakest window for both the view and the drive. The table below is planning guidance; reconfirm road status before you travel.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Clear mornings, rhododendron bloom, some afternoon haze early in the season; pleasant walking weather. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain, frequent landslides and road closures, low visibility. Best avoided for the view and the drive. |
| Autumn | October–November | Driest, clearest spell; strongest window for gorge and Kanchenjunga views. Peak tourist season. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold, often crisp and clear; higher roads can close with snow. Carry warm layers. |
How to reach the Singshore Bridge
You reach the Singshore Bridge by road from Pelling, about 26 km away on a slow mountain route, which most visitors cover in roughly 1.5–2 hours by hired taxi. Figures vary by source: the Wikipedia article on the bridge gives a shorter straight-line distance of about 5 km, while its Pelling article states around 26 km by road, which matches the usual sightseeing drive via the Dentam side; allow for the longer road figure when planning. There is no direct public bus to the bridge, so a shared or private taxi from Pelling is the practical option. Pelling itself is the base, so settle your travel into Pelling first; our Pelling travel guide covers that leg in detail.
By air, the nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB) near Siliguri in West Bengal, roughly 135–150 km from Pelling and a 5–7 hour drive depending on conditions. Pakyong (PYG), Sikkim’s own airport near Gangtok, is closer in distance but has had intermittent commercial flights, so check current schedules before relying on it (as of October 2026). By rail, New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri is the nearest major railhead, after which you continue by shared jeep or taxi, usually via Jorethang or Geyzing (the Gyalshing district headquarters).
| From | Distance | Typical time / mode |
|---|---|---|
| Pelling town to the bridge | ~26 km | 1.5–2 hrs by taxi (road figure; some sources say less) |
| Bagdogra Airport (IXB) | ~135–150 km to Pelling | 5–7 hrs by road |
| New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railhead | ~135 km to Pelling (via Siliguri) | 5–6 hrs by shared jeep / taxi |
| Pakyong Airport (PYG) | ~110–130 km to Pelling | Intermittent flights; confirm schedule |
| Gangtok | ~115–131 km to Pelling | 5–6 hrs by road (SNT buses and shared jeeps) |
| Uttarey | ~20 km to the bridge | Under 1 hr by road |
Entry, parking and timings
The Singshore Bridge is an open roadside crossing on a public road, not a ticketed monument, so there is no formal entry gate or fixed visiting hours; most people stop in daylight and cross on foot while their taxi waits. Parking is informal roadside space near the approach, and any charge is usually a small local or taxi-driver arrangement rather than a published fee. The figures below are indicative planning estimates and should be reconfirmed on the ground, because no official tariff for the bridge was published as of October 2026.
- Entry: No ticket for the bridge itself (indicative, reconfirm locally).
- Parking: Informal roadside; any fee is nominal and local (indicative).
- Best timing: Morning, for the clearest gorge views and before midday haze.
- Time needed: 20–40 minutes for the crossing, photos and the return walk.
If a paid activity such as bungee jumping starts here in future, expect that to carry its own ticket and timing; treat any such facility as separate from the free bridge crossing.
Where to stay
The practical base for the Singshore Bridge is Pelling, which has the widest choice of hotels, or Uttarey for trekkers heading deeper into the Singalila ridge. Pelling runs from simple guesthouses to mid-range hotels with valley and mountain views, and homestays are common across West Sikkim; Uttarey is smaller and quieter, geared to walkers. Book ahead for the October–November peak and around festivals, when Pelling fills quickly.
| Type | Indicative tariff | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse / homestay | ₹800–₹1,800 | Pelling and Uttarey; simple rooms, home-cooked meals in homestays. |
| Mid-range hotel | ₹2,000–₹4,500 | Mostly in Pelling; many offer valley or Kanchenjunga-facing rooms. |
| Upper / premium | ₹5,000–₹9,000+ | Limited options in Pelling; book well ahead in peak season. |
These bands are planning estimates and move with season and demand; confirm current rates when you book.
Budget for the trip
A visit to the Singshore Bridge is cheap in itself—the crossing is free—so your budget is mostly the Pelling stay, meals and the taxi to reach the bridge. The breakdown below is a planning estimate for two people basing in Pelling for a short two-night trip and taking a half-day taxi that includes the bridge and a couple of nearby stops. Treat every figure as indicative and reconfirm, as of October 2026.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (2 nights, mid-range) | ₹4,000–₹9,000 | One double room, ₹2,000–₹4,500 per night. |
| Local sightseeing taxi | ₹2,500–₹4,000 | Half-day hire covering the bridge and nearby viewpoints. |
| Meals | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | Local restaurants and homestay meals for two, two days. |
| Transfer to/from NJP or Bagdogra | ₹3,000–₹4,500 | Private prepaid taxi one way; shared jeeps cost far less per person. |
| Indicative total | ₹11,000–₹20,500 | Excludes long-distance train/flight fares to NJP/Bagdogra. |
Permits, rules and safety
Indian citizens need no permit to visit the Singshore Bridge, Pelling or Uttarey, as these sit in the generally open part of Sikkim rather than a restricted zone. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required only for restricted areas such as Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, Zuluk and North Sikkim, which do not include this route. Foreign nationals do need a Restricted Area Permit, also called an Inner Line Permit, to enter Sikkim at all; it is typically valid for 30 days and extendable, and can be obtained online through the eFRRO portal or at designated offices. A District Tourism Office at Pelling is listed among PAP-issuing offices, so check there for any area permit you may need onward.
On safety and etiquette at the bridge itself:
- Cross on foot sensibly: avoid crowding the middle, do not deliberately rock the deck, and keep a hand near the cable if the sway bothers you.
- Give way to vehicles—it is a one-lane bridge shared by cars and pedestrians.
- Sikkim enforces anti-littering rules strictly; carry your waste out and avoid single-use plastic.
- Drone and photography rules can be restricted near sensitive or border areas; ask locally before flying a drone.
- In the monsoon, check for landslides and road closures before setting out; the drive, not the bridge, is the main hazard.
Nearby places to visit
The Singshore Bridge pairs naturally with the wider Pelling and Yuksom circuit, so most visitors fold it into a day or two of West Sikkim sightseeing. The waterfalls, the holy lake and the old monastery sites are the usual companions on the same roads. Distances below are from Pelling unless noted and are approximate; our Pelling guide and the broader Sikkim travel guide set out the fuller itinerary.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Pelling | ~26 km (base town) | Hill-station base with Kanchenjunga views, the Skywalk and most hotels. |
| Uttarey | ~20 km from bridge | Quiet trekking village, gateway to the Singalila ridge walks. |
| Khecheopalri Lake | West Sikkim, near Pelling | Lake holy to Buddhists; local belief holds that no leaf is allowed to rest on its surface. |
| Rimbi Waterfall | ~5 km from Darap, en route to Khecheopalri | Roadside falls, an easy stop on the sightseeing loop. |
| Kanchenjunga Falls | ~28 km from Pelling | Tall multi-tier waterfall, a popular photo stop. |
| Yuksom | Gyalshing district | Sikkim’s first capital (from 1642) and the trailhead for the Goecha La trek. |
| Pemayangtse Monastery & Rabdentse ruins | ~2 km from Pelling | One of Sikkim’s oldest monasteries and the former royal capital ruins. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Singshore Bridge?
The Singshore Bridge is in Gyalshing (Geyzing) district, West Sikkim, on the Dentam–Uttarey road near Pelling. It spans a deep forested gorge between two hills and connects the villages of Dentam and Uttarey. It sits about 26 km from Pelling town and roughly 20 km from Uttarey, in the generally open part of Sikkim.
How high is the Singshore Bridge?
The Singshore Bridge is reported at over 100 m (328 ft) high and 240 m (787 ft) long, according to English Wikipedia citing tourism sources and to Outlook Traveller. A Ministry of Tourism listing calls it the highest bridge in Sikkim and “second highest in Asia,” but no public engineering survey confirms this, so the ranking claims vary.
Is the Singshore Bridge safe to walk across?
Yes, the Singshore Bridge is a working road bridge that people cross on foot daily, but it sways. The side-to-side movement when vehicles or wind pass is normal for a suspension span and can unsettle anyone prone to vertigo. Hold the cable, avoid stopping in the centre, give way to cars, and walk steadily.
Do I need a permit to visit the Singshore Bridge?
Indian citizens need no permit to visit the Singshore Bridge, Pelling or Uttarey, as these are in open Sikkim, not a restricted zone. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit (Inner Line Permit) to enter Sikkim, valid about 30 days and extendable, available via the eFRRO portal or designated offices. Reconfirm before travel.
What is the best time to visit the Singshore Bridge?
The best time to visit the Singshore Bridge is March to May or October to December, when the weather is driest and the gorge and distant peaks are clearest. Avoid the June–September monsoon, which brings heavy rain, landslides and road closures across West Sikkim and poor visibility for the view.
How do I reach the Singshore Bridge from Pelling?
Reach the Singshore Bridge by hired taxi from Pelling, about 26 km and 1.5–2 hours on a slow mountain road. There is no direct bus to the bridge. Pelling is the base: the nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB) near Siliguri and the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both roughly 135–150 km away.
Last updated and sources
The Singshore Bridge suits travellers already basing in Pelling who want a short, memorable half-day stop with a genuine edge of height. Go in spring or autumn for clear views, and reconfirm road conditions in the monsoon.
Last updated: 21 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: English Wikipedia, “Singshore Bridge, Pelling”; English Wikipedia, “Pelling”; English Wikipedia, “Gyalshing district”; Ministry of Tourism, Rural Tourism portal — Singshore Bridge; Outlook Traveller, “Sikkim To Introduce Bungee Jumping At Singshore Bridge” (22 March 2025); Bridgemeister bridge inventory; Sikkim Government / IPR and permit guidance for Restricted Area Permits. Accessed October 2026.
