There are two root bridges people ask us about. One takes an hour to walk down to and two hours to climb back. The other is a 15-minute walk on a paved path. Pick the right one before you leave the bike.
Short answer: if you're fit, start early and have the time, do Tyrna. If you have bad knees, hate hiking or you're short on time, go to Riwai.
The two bridges side by side
| Double-Decker (Nongriat, from Tyrna) | Riwai (near Mawlynnong) | |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge | Double-decker living root bridge | Single-decker living root bridge |
| Ride | About 45 minutes from Sohra, steep and winding | On the Mawlynnong side, a different direction |
| Walk | 3,000 to 3,500 steps each way | 10 to 15 minutes on a flat, paved path |
| Time | A full day | An hour or less |
| Cost | A small parking fee at Tyrna | Around ₹50 entry |
| Best for | Fit people with a day to spare | Bad knees, short on time, not into hiking |
Tyrna: the hard one
Getting there. From Sohra (Cherrapunji), ride down a steep, winding local road for about 45 minutes to Tyrna village. That's where the road ends. Park at the village parking area. It's managed by locals, it's safe, and there's a small parking fee.
The road. It's paved, but aggressively steep. Any geared bike handles it easily. A scooter can do it, but climbing back up from Tyrna with two adults on a scooter will really struggle on the inclines. Solo scooter riders will be fine.
The steps. It's about 3,000 to 3,500 steps each way, and they will wreck your legs.
- Going down takes about an hour. Your knees will turn to jelly.
- Coming back up takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on how fit you are. It's a brutal workout in the humidity.
- The suspension bridges over the river gorges are bouncy, and they look rusted. They're the other thing people struggle with.
Start by 8 AM. That makes it a day trip.
If you have time and legs left, you can trek another 90 minutes past the double-decker to Rainbow Falls. In winter the water there is electric blue.
If you don't want to climb back the same day, there are very basic homestays down in Nongriat village. They're cash only and very rustic.
What to wear on the steps
Don't wear heavy riding boots down 3,500 steps. You'll get blisters. Bring running shoes or trail sneakers with good grip in your bag, and change at Tyrna.
Leave your riding jacket and helmet on the bike. Use a helmet lock or secure it tightly to the bike's grab rails. Theft is rare at the Tyrna parking lot, but always secure your gear. Carry only water, cash and a light rain layer.
When to go
- October to April: the steps are dry and much safer, and the pools under the bridges are clear enough to swim in. Always ask the locals or your homestay host which pools are safe before jumping in, as hidden rocks and undercurrents exist.
- June to September: the stone steps get covered in moss and turn incredibly slippery. One bad slip means a broken ankle. If you go in the monsoon, take it very slowly or skip it.
Riwai: the easy one
Riwai is near Mawlynnong, the famous clean village. That's a different direction from Tyrna. It has a single-decker living root bridge.
The walk from the parking lot is 10 to 15 minutes on a flat, paved path. There's an entry fee of around ₹50.
If you have bad knees, hate hiking or you're short on time, skip Tyrna and come here. You still see a real living root bridge, and you're back on the bike within the hour.
Fitting it into the trip
- Tyrna is a Cherrapunji day. On our 3 or 4 day plan it's Day 2, and it's why we say sleep in Sohra.
- Riwai fits on the way to Dawki, with Mawlynnong. See the Dawki and Mawlynnong route.
- The Cherrapunji waterfall ride is the other Sohra day.
- The whole picture: Meghalaya loop, or Meghalaya on a scooty or bike.
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How many steps to the double-decker root bridge? About 3,000 to 3,500 each way, from Tyrna.
How long does it take? About an hour down and 1.5 to 2.5 hours back up.
Where do I park? At the village parking area in Tyrna. It's managed by locals and there's a small fee.
Can I ride a scooter to Tyrna? Yes, solo. With two adults, the climb back up from Tyrna will really struggle on the inclines, so take a geared bike.
Is there an easier root bridge? Yes. Riwai, near Mawlynnong, is a 10 to 15 minute flat walk.
Can I stay down there? There are very basic homestays in Nongriat village, cash only.
Is it safe in the rain? In the monsoon the steps get mossy and very slippery. October to April is much safer.
The information in this post is indicative. Final terms and policies are discussed and confirmed when you take the vehicle on rent.
