Overview of the Living Root Bridges
It takes around 15 years for a new root bridge to become strong enough to bear the weight of people crossing it. However, it will continue to grow and strengthen even more over time. Some of the bridges are believed to be hundreds of years old, although no one knows their exact age. Their tangled webs of roots are almost eerie in nature and wouldn't look out of place in a fantasy world.
Read More: 8 Must-See Meghalaya Tourist Places for Nature Lovers
Cherrapunji Living Root Bridges
Meghalaya's most famous root bridge, the "double-decker" root bridge, can be found in the vicinity of one of the wettest places on earth -- Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra). There are 11 functional root bridges in this area, situated about two and a half hours drive from Shillong.
The bridges have been documented as far back as 1844, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. However, it's the owner of the Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort (a retired Tamil banker who's married to a local Khasi woman) in Laitkynsew village who put them on the tourist map. He spent a lot of time exploring the surrounds and detailing interesting treks when setting up the resort. (The Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort is a delightful, homely place to spend time in nature and guides are provided for trekking. However, don't expect resort-style facilities).
The treks to the root bridges vary in duration and level of difficulty. The most well known ones, which are all near the Resort, are:
Ummunoi Root Bridge. Starting point: Laitkynsew village. Location: Ummunoi river near Siej village, Nongkroh, via Sohsarat village. Duration: Two kilometers one way. Three to four hours return. Descent: 1,400 feet. This 17 meter (54 foot) root bridge is one of the oldest known root bridges in the region, and is perhaps the most popular with tourists due to its combination of accessibility and impressiveness.
Umkar Root Bridge. Starting point and location: Siej village. Duration: Half a kilometer one way. 30 minutes return. The best option for those who are lacking in fitness or mobility, this root bridge was partly washed away by flash floods. The villagers in the process of regrowing it, which is interesting to see. There's a waterfall alongside the bridge during the monsoon season.
Ritymmen Root Bridge (can be visited on the way to the Double Decker root bridge). Starting point: Tyrna village. Location: Nongthymmai village. Duration: One and a half to two hours return. This 30 meter (100 foot) root bridge is the longest known living root bridge.
Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge. Starting point: Tyrna village. Location: Umshiang river at Nongriat village. Duration: Three kilometers one way. Four to five hours return. Descent: 2,400 feet. The "holy grail" of root bridges, the unique 20 meter (65 foot) double-decker root bridge requires determination to reach but it's worth it. Not everyone can go there though. It's imperative that physical condition be taken into account
It takes around 15 years for a new root bridge to become strong enough to bear the weight of people crossing it. However, it will continue to grow and strengthen even more over time. Some of the bridges are believed to be hundreds of years old, although no one knows their exact age. Their tangled webs of roots are almost eerie in nature and wouldn't look out of place in a fantasy world.
Read More: 8 Must-See Meghalaya Tourist Places for Nature Lovers
Cherrapunji Living Root Bridges
Meghalaya's most famous root bridge, the "double-decker" root bridge, can be found in the vicinity of one of the wettest places on earth -- Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra). There are 11 functional root bridges in this area, situated about two and a half hours drive from Shillong.
The bridges have been documented as far back as 1844, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. However, it's the owner of the Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort (a retired Tamil banker who's married to a local Khasi woman) in Laitkynsew village who put them on the tourist map. He spent a lot of time exploring the surrounds and detailing interesting treks when setting up the resort. (The Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort is a delightful, homely place to spend time in nature and guides are provided for trekking. However, don't expect resort-style facilities).
The treks to the root bridges vary in duration and level of difficulty. The most well known ones, which are all near the Resort, are:
Ummunoi Root Bridge. Starting point: Laitkynsew village. Location: Ummunoi river near Siej village, Nongkroh, via Sohsarat village. Duration: Two kilometers one way. Three to four hours return. Descent: 1,400 feet. This 17 meter (54 foot) root bridge is one of the oldest known root bridges in the region, and is perhaps the most popular with tourists due to its combination of accessibility and impressiveness.
Umkar Root Bridge. Starting point and location: Siej village. Duration: Half a kilometer one way. 30 minutes return. The best option for those who are lacking in fitness or mobility, this root bridge was partly washed away by flash floods. The villagers in the process of regrowing it, which is interesting to see. There's a waterfall alongside the bridge during the monsoon season.
Ritymmen Root Bridge (can be visited on the way to the Double Decker root bridge). Starting point: Tyrna village. Location: Nongthymmai village. Duration: One and a half to two hours return. This 30 meter (100 foot) root bridge is the longest known living root bridge.
Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge. Starting point: Tyrna village. Location: Umshiang river at Nongriat village. Duration: Three kilometers one way. Four to five hours return. Descent: 2,400 feet. The "holy grail" of root bridges, the unique 20 meter (65 foot) double-decker root bridge requires determination to reach but it's worth it. Not everyone can go there though. It's imperative that physical condition be taken into account
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