Hillary Bridge — Attraction in Khumbupasanglahmu

EBC Trek's Most Thrilling Crossing - Not for the Faint of Heart!

Our Himalayan trek from Lukla through Namche Bazaar and Khumjung to Khunde proved quite the adventure for this first time hiker coming from sea level—literally just 12 meters above it! The route required crossing five suspension bridges, but none compared to the legendary Hillary Bridge.

Standing 135 meters above the valley floor and spanning 60 meters across the Dudh-Koshi River, the Hillary Bridge serves as the region's vital lifeline—a steel cable "highway in the sky." This single connection carries an incredible parade of mountain life: yak caravans, heavily-loaded mules and horses, countless porters hauling supplies to remote villages and Everest base camps, local residents on daily errands, and streams of international trekkers and climbers.

The bridge offers breathtaking views of the river valley below, where the churning Dudh-Koshi merges with the Bhote-Koshi. The moment captures the essence of this border region where cultures blend as naturally as the rivers.

Crossing the Hillary Bridge is unforgettable—and for good reason. You round a corner and suddenly see two bridges suspended impossibly high ahead. When I asked our guide whether we'd take the lower or higher bridge, his response was both reassuring and terrifying: "The higher one—it's safer." Even those without serious height phobias feel uneasy approaching this towering crossing. It's by far the windiest bridge on the EBC trek, swaying noticeably as you walk, especially when others are crossing simultaneously. Prayer flags whip violently in the mountain gusts, making photography nearly impossible without lightning-fast shutter speeds. As we crossed, fierce winds sent prayer flags rattling around our ears while the ancient Dudh-Koshi raged far below. Unfortunately, the constant traffic meant no time to linger—trekkers and pack animals were already approaching from the opposite direction.

Despite the intimidation factor, the Hillary Bridge ranks among the trek's absolute highlights. People with serious height fears will definitely be challenged, but what awaits further up the trail makes every moment of discomfort worthwhile. After conquering those 60 meters of swaying steel cable, the achievement feels sensational—a welcome dramatic punctuation in an otherwise relentlessly rocky mountain path.

The Hillary Bridge isn't just a river crossing; it's a rite of passage that connects you to the countless adventurers who've made this same heart-stopping journey toward the world's...

A Himalayan hiking tour from Lukla - Namche Bazar - Khumjung to Khunde. For an inexperienced and (unfortunately) untrained hiker, this was a bit of a challenge, as I normally live at an altitude of 12 metres (!!) above sea level. There were 5 suspension bridges to cross on the way to Khunde. Of these, the Hillery Bridge was the most impressive. At a height of 135 metres, it spans a 60-metre wide valley of the Dudh-Khosi River. As the only connection, the steel cable bridge is like a motorway. Caravans of yaks, mules, horses, endless numbers of porters, all loaded up with things that are needed in the villages and also at the Mt Everest camps, have to cross the suspension bridges and mountain paths. Then there are the inhabitants of the region on their daily journeys and countless mountain tourists, hikers and climbers. A fantastic view of the river valley opens up at the hillery bridge. The Dudh-Khosi rages below us and merges with the Bhote-Khosi. As our guide said with a smile: Tibet water and Nepal water combined. As we passed the bridge, a stiff breeze blew, the prayer flags rattled in the wind and beat around our ears. Unfortunately, there was no time to linger, as the traffic on the other side of the bridge was already hoofing it in the opposite direction. A quick look down at the old Hillary Bridge, the bungee platform there and the 60 metres were conquered. A sensational experience and a welcome change on the otherwise...

This bridge is easily one of the most memorable parts of the EBC trek. You round a corner and suddenly you see two bridges hanging in the distance, way above your heads. You ask your guide "are we taking the lower bridge or the higher bridge" and he says "the higher bridge because it's safer." You look at him in disbelief, and even if you aren't particularly afraid of heights, you still feel a bit uneasy looking at that bridge from a distance.

Of all the bridges on the EBC trek, this one was far and away the windiest (at least when I was there) and I don't remember any that were so high above the ground below. It will sway noticeably while you're on it with all the wind, especially if other people are walking on it at the same time you are. The prayer flags will whip around and unless you're using a super fast shutter speed, you'll have a damn near impossible time taking a photo that isn't blurry. People with a strong fear of heights WILL be scared while on this bridge. But what lies farther up the trail is definitely worth a little discomfort. Personally, it was one of my favorite parts of...