The 150-Year-Old Wooden Skywalk - 'Gartang Gali'

The 'Gartang Gali', a 150-year-old old wooden skywalk bridge located at an altitude of 11,000 feet, in the Nelong valley in the Uttarkashi district for visitors following restoration. Gartang Gali was put off-limits in 1962 in the aftermath of the Indo-China war. The bridge was reportedly used by the army for ten years after the Indo-China war.

Snuggled in the scenic Nelong valley, in the Garhwal Himalayas, the tourist attraction is both strategically and historically important for India. Gartang Gali bridge, which offers a stunning view of the Nelong valley, is said to be an ancient trade route to Tibet. The remarkable 105-meter wooden bridge in the region is deemed to have been constructed by the Peshawar Pathans. The nomads (Bhotiya tribe) ferried their goods on yaks from this bridge for barter with their other country part. Gartang Gali bridge is set at a distance of 90 km from Uttarkashi.

“The Gartang Gali bridge has been refurbished by the department of public works at a cost of ₹ 65 lakh. People who are interested in visiting Gartang Gali bridge will have to register themselves at the Bhairav Ghati outpost while following all the COVID guidelines.”

The District Magistrate of Uttarkashi Mayur Dixit said, that from the security point of view, only ten visitors will be allowed at a time and that they will have to maintain a distance of one meter from each other. "Movement of groups or any other activity, such as jumping, dancing, drinking liquor, or carrying inflammable substances are prohibited on the bridge.”