Trekking in Shillong: For All Nature Lovers and Adrenaline Rush Addicts!

Often overlooked by many tourists, Meghalaya is a gem of a place waiting to be explored – pristine waterfalls, flourishing forests, and majestic sceneries as far as your eyes can see. Owing to its beauty, the British nicknamed it Scotland of the East. Trekking in Meghalaya is the best way to explore the place. Trekking is amazing hill stations like Shillong, Mawphlang, Cherrapunjee, which offers a soothing and soulful experience that no one shouldn’t miss. Here’s an ultimate guide to treks in Meghalaya, for the adventurer in you.

David Scott Trail

Trekkers immerse themselves in history in the David Scott trail. The 16 km long trek is named after a British administrator who used to reside in the Khasi hills during the 18th century. The trek starts from Mawphlang and ends at Lad Mawphlang. In between the trek in Meghalaya, Khasi history, culture and folklore enlighten its trekkers with scenic views of shining rivers, milky waterfalls, lush green landscapes, and bridges.

Umden Village Trek

With acres of forests completely dedicated to the cultivation of silk, the Umden Village is known as the land of silk in Meghalaya. This Meghalaya trek is an up-close and personal approach with the village’s unique culture. You’ll also learn a thing or two about Eri silk, and wander through picturesque tea estates, strawberry fields, among other beautiful countryside locations.

The Living Roots Bridge Trek

As the name suggests, the living roots bridge trek involves trekking over bridges made completely out of roots. Meghalaya is filled with such natural yet man-made wonders. These unique bridges were made by the Khasi tribe by ancient rubber trees as it provides more durability than wooden bridges, which are knocked down due to heavy rainfall in the region. You can spot root bridges all over this region, including Nongriat, which is a splendid trekking location. Starting from the village itself and ending at Rainbow falls, this is a short, yet exhilarating trek in Meghalaya. Don’t be scared on the root bridges. They shake a lot but are really sturdy.

Mawlongbna Village Trekking

Trekking at Mawlongbna Village offers both adventure sports and camping. Usually, visitors opt for this with an overnight stay in the village. There’s plenty to do – right from observing fossils of extinct carnivores, walking amidst unique flora, canoeing, and zip-lining amidst the thick jungle. This is one of the best treks in Meghalaya for someone who loves nature and adventure equally.

Mawlyngot Trek

Nestled at 4800 feet in the Eastern Khasi hills, Mawlyngot village is located at a short distance from Shillong. The village is famously known as the tea hub of the state of Meghalaya. The vast stretches of tea estates are a treat to the eyes. Along with the tranquillity of the Umsong River, you can have a calm experience. The hike here begins from the village, where you can cross a rich forest-covered amidst a small hill located at the end of Umsong river. It is truly a magical experience. If you are a trek addict then you can combine another trek in Meghalaya from Umsong river to Pynursla.

Smit Trek

Smit Trek is undoubtedly one of the most scenic routes for trekking in Meghalaya. The start and endpoints of this trek are the State Library and the Crinoline Falls respectively and it takes two days to successfully reach the end. There aren’t many tough paths on the route, and hence, this is the perfect trip to plan with your family. Most of the walking will be done on cemented roads with a plethora of bed and breakfast spots in between to take rests.

Dawki Trekking

Trek in the border town of Dawki for an unforgettable experience. Dawki is only 2 km away from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh and is a major trade hub between the two countries. Bangladesh’s rich culture is clearly seen in the town. This experience of trekking in Meghalaya will teach you more about the locals and regional history. Setting up a picnic across the Umngot river is one of the most common activities to do here.

Weiloi to Umngi Trek

Situated at a distance of about 50 km from Shillong, Weiloi village in Meghalaya is famous for its scenic natural beauty. The village stretches till Umngi, where natural hot water springs are present. You’ll have to go for an 18 km walk on this stretch, composed of tricky routes on the way. The trek may come off a bit difficult, but it’s totally worth it once you reach the water springs. If you don’t want to take up this challenging route, then go for the alternate route in Weiloi that goes towards Mawblang to fulfil your dreams of trekking.

Krem Mawmluh, Krem Mawsmai, and Krem Umshyrpi Caves

Meghalaya hides within it, secrets of nature. One of them is the labyrinth of natural caves. From Cherrapunjee you can spot Krem Mawsmai, Krem Mawmluh and Krem Umshyrpi Caves. Spread across a 7 km long stretch these dark mysterious caves are lit by halogen lamps. Some areas still remain unexplored and unmapped inside the caves. You are likely to find beautiful crystal deposits and structures built ages ago inside the cave on your trip while trekking in Meghalaya. It’s a trip down to history and the unknown. Krem Mawsmai can be explored by beginners. However, the other two are not for the faint-hearted ones. With closed walls, narrow paths, dim natural light and height of not more than 5ft, these caves are challenging, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be conquered.

If you love exploring nature on foot, then trekking in Meghalaya is definitely the activity you’ll love to indulge in. Are you excited to trek across the “abode of clouds? We at Pickyourtrail make sure our best travel experience is put into planning your vacation with lots of excitement. Start crafting your tour package and happy travelling with your loved ones! You can also read up on other tourist attractions in India.