David Scott Trail - A Historic Trek in Shillong, Meghalaya

Shillong, MeghalayaADVENTURE

A historic 16 km trekking route near Shillong, offering scenic views of Khasi villages, rivers, forests, and colonial-era bridges.

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ADVENTURE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

The David Scott Trail is a historic 16-kilometer trekking route that connects the villages of Mawphlang and Lad Mawphlang. This well-defined path was originally part of a horse-cart track built by British administrator David Scott in the 19th century. The trek is a journey through diverse landscapes typical of the Khasi hills, taking you through dense forests, across wide-open meadows, and alongside clear streams. The route roughly follows the Umiam River, offering constant views of its valley and the surrounding hills.

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Location & Address

Starts from Mawphlang village, ends near Lad Mawphlang on the Shillong-Cherrapunji road, Mawphlang, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to undertake the David Scott Trail trek is from October to April. During these post-monsoon and winter months, the weather is dry and pleasant, with clear skies. The landscape is lush green from the recent rains. Avoid the monsoon season from June to September, as heavy rainfall makes the trail extremely slippery and treacherous. Summer (May) can be a bit warm but is still manageable for an early morning start.
Peak Crowd: October-December and March-April, especially on weekends and public holidays when tourist footfall in Meghalaya is high.
Moderate Crowd: January-February and weekdays during the peak season.
Low Crowd: June-September, during the monsoon season, as the trail conditions are challenging.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is Shillong Airport (SHL) at Umroi, around 55 km from the trail's starting point. However, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, about 125 km away, offers better connectivity.

Train

Guwahati Railway Station (GHY) is the nearest major railway station, located approximately 120 km from Mawphlang. From Guwahati, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to Shillong.

Road

Mawphlang is located 25 km south of Shillong and is easily accessible by road. Taxis can be hired from Shillong to reach the starting point of the trek. Shillong is well-connected to Guwahati via NH6.

Local Transport

From Shillong city, hiring a dedicated taxi for the day is the most convenient option. This allows for a drop-off at Mawphlang and a pre-arranged pickup at Lad Mawphlang. Shared taxis to Mawphlang are also available from Bara Bazar area.