Mangde Foot Trail (The Old Royal Route)
Before the construction of the East-West Highway in the late 20th century, the Mangde Foot Trail was the primary mountain footpath traversed by royal entourages, mule caravans, and monastic processions moving between western and central Bhutan. The restored trail descends from the highway through dense forests of oak, giant hemlock, and wild rhododendron down into the deep Mangde Chhu river gorge, crossing a traditional wooden cantilever bridge before climbing steeply up to the main gates of Trongsa Dzong.
Hiking this historic section takes roughly two to three hours and allows travelers to experience the fortress as travelers did for hundreds of years. The approach offers dramatic perspective shifts—from catching distant glimpses of the citadel clinging to the cliffs above to hearing the roar of the canyon river echoing off the stone walls. Guided walks along this path frequently offer quiet wildlife encounters with grey langurs, barking deer, and rich sub-alpine birdlife.
