11 August 2026 · 1 min read
Double Decker root bridge trek: what 3,500 steps actually feels like
The Nongriat double-decker living root bridge trek from Shillong — how hard it is, how long it takes, what to carry, and who should skip it.
The double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat is the photograph that sells Meghalaya. Getting to it is a proper walk, and the internet is vague about how proper.
The honest description
Roughly 3,500 steps down from Tyrna, and the same number back up. Five to six hours in total including time at the bridge. The descent is easy on the lungs and hard on the knees; the climb back is the reverse.
Who should not do it
- Anyone with knee or hip trouble
- Young children, unless carried
- Anyone who would rather not walk all day in humidity
The Riwai single-decker root bridge near Mawlynnong is a ten-minute walk and shows you the same engineering. It is a legitimate substitute, not a consolation prize.
What to carry
Water, proper shoes with grip, and a stick — hired at Tyrna for a few rupees. There are shops at Nongriat for snacks and cold drinks.
Closure
Tyrna and Nongriat restrict the trek on Sundays. Any operator running it on a Sunday is either misinformed or hoping you will not notice until you arrive.
Rainbow Falls
An extra hour and a half each way beyond Nongriat. Worth it if you are fit and started early; a bad idea if you are already tired at the bridge.