The Living Root Ladder Trek
If Meghalaya’s only living root ladder is not incentive enough to take this trek, how about a living root nest, one of the state’s least visited waterfalls or one of its cleanest village.
Like most treks in Meghalaya, this one too starts with a car journey out of Shillong. Leave early in the morning so you can make it to Mawlyndun in time for the trek to your next destination: the home of the Living Root Nest. Once you reach Shiliang Jashar, named after the Jashar River that flows nearby, you can rest for the night. The forests around Shiliang Jashar are home to more marvels: not just the Living Root Ladder but also the Living Root Nest, both of which are wonderful examples of human innovation moulding natural creation for an enduring benefit. The Living Root Nest is a bower-like structure made by moulding the roots upward to form a circle. This creation is the perfect place to take a rest while feeding cocooned in safety.
The Living Root Ladder Trek
Flora
- All the villages on this trail cultivate broom grass, the ubiquitous symbol of the local culture that is visible outside every door. Your trail will take you through several cultivations of this natural wonder, as well as trees laden with fruits like bananas, oranges, pineapples and jackfruits. You will also see spices like bay leaf, medicinal herbs and wild mushrooms.
Fauna
- Some of the animals you could spot here are the flying squirrel, the fox, the barking deer, the clouded leopard and even the Asian black bear.
Fact Sheet
- Region: Khasi Hills
- Route: Mawlyndun-Shiliang Jashar-Riwai-Mawlynnong
- Days: 3 night, 4 days
- Total distance: 16 km
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Elevation range: 452-1009 m
- Season: All year long
- Best during: October-May
- Mobile network: Jio and Airtel work best along the trail
- Water availability: Available along the trail
About the trail
- Day1: After arriving in Mawlyndun from Shillong, you will set out for Shiliang Jashar on a well-planned forest trail that makes its way under a lush, green canopy. The trail seems almost flat, because you only descend 100 metres over 3 km, and its gentleness is matched by its beauty. Soak in the myriad hues of green and listen for the classic forest soundtrack, the chirping of cicadas, as you approach your stop for the next two days.
- Day2: This is the day you set out to discover Meghalaya’s more unique man-nature collaborations. The Living Root Nest and the Living Root Ladder are respectively 1 km and 1.5 km from the campsite. The trail is steep, so ascending and descending will be challenging. But the rewards are well worth the toil.
- Day3: The hard work of yesterday is offset by a pleasant trail today, one that has gradual descents and level walks. Around 1 km after you set out from Shiliang Jashar, you will come across Kylmeng Waterfall, the perfect place to catch your breath and refill your bottles. Continue along the breathtaking forest trail until you reach Riwai, your destination for the night. As a bonus, you’ll cross another living root bridge today.
- Day4: Your destination today is Mawlynnong. If the name sounds familiar, it’s likely because the efforts of the villagers here have resulted in it being named ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’ by Discover India magazine in 2003. The route to Mawlynnong takes around six hours and goes across more living root bridges, and within seeing distance of the Bangladesh border.
How to Get There
- The trek starts in Mawlyndun, which is well connected to the main road and hence to Shillong.
- Getting a cab to bring you there and take you back from Mawlynnong should be straightforward.
- Local transport systems are subject to sudden change.
- It might be more prudent to book your car from Shillong itself to drop and fetch you a few days later.