Exploring Tapovan in Rishikesh on Foot, From Laxman Jhula Road to the Ganga

This guide follows one route that works even when no bridge is open, from the top of Laxman Jhula Road down to the riverside steps at the old bridge. If you are staying at Resort De Coracao in Tapovan Rishikesh, which is on Laxman Jhula Road, the walk begins on your own street. Key updates carry dates, but please check local notices before you set out.

Route at a Glance

Here is the whole walk in one view. The main route stays on the Tapovan side of the river, so it works even if no crossing is open that day. Guests at Resort De Coracao in Tapovan, Rishikesh can join it directly from Laxman Jhula Road. Check the summary below before you head out.

Save this table on your phone, since mobile signal can drop near the river.

Know Tapovan Before You Walk

A little background makes this walk more interesting. Here are three things worth knowing first.

• You are close to a district line: Tapovan falls in Tehri Garhwal, while Jonk, on the far side of the old Laxman Jhula, belongs to Pauri Garhwal. The river marks the change.
• The region is popular: Tehri district recorded 53,29,759 tourist visits in 2025. This is a district total, not a Tapovan count, but it shows how many people now visit this area. 
• The ground changes often: Expect slopes, stone steps, and uneven edges along the way. Two-wheelers share many narrow lanes, so walk on one side and keep children close.

Wear shoes with a good grip and carry water before you set off.

Walking Down Laxman Jhula Road

This first stretch runs downhill from the main road toward the river, so take it in short stops.

• Begin at the junction: Start where Laxman Jhula Road meets Badrinath Road in Tapovan. From here, simply follow the road downhill. It leads you toward the river and the bridge area.
• Go before 9 am: Mornings are cooler and the lanes carry fewer vehicles. You also reach the bridge area before day visitors drive in from Haridwar and Dehradun.
• Stop for breakfast on the way: The road has many small cafes serving chai, poha, and fruit bowls. Several have rooftop seating with views of the forested hills across the river.
• Try a drop-in yoga class: Tapovan has many small yoga schools. Some accept walk-in students for a single class, so ask at the front desk for that day's timings.

Keep heading downhill until you see the tall towers of the new bridge.

At the Old Laxman Jhula, Your Endpoint

This is where the main route ends. You can see both bridges clearly from the Tapovan side without crossing either one.

• See the old Laxman Jhula: The bridge was completed in 1929. Legend says Lakshman crossed the river here on jute ropes. It was closed to all traffic in 2019 over safety concerns. 
• Spot Bajrang Setu beside it: The new bridge is about 132 metres long, with walkways made from five layers of toughened glass, each 12 mm thick. It photographs well from this bank.
• Its opening date is not fixed yet: A local report from 21 October 2026 said construction was complete, but the official opening date and the safety rules for the glass footpath were still undecided
• Fees are announced, not active: The same report says fees of ₹100 per adult and ₹50 per child have been set for the glass footpath. Treat these as announced until the bridge officially opens.

Use the nearby steps and viewing spots to finish beside the water.

Enjoying the Ganga Safely

The river is the final stop. Treat it as a place to watch and pause, not a place to swim.

• What the 2025 data shows: The state pollution board's monthly 2025 readings for the Ganga upstream of Laxman Jhula recorded dissolved oxygen of 10.3 to 10.8 mg/L [5]. It is one measure, not a full health check.
• A broad bathing finding: A 2025 central board report found the Uttarakhand stretch met the main outdoor bathing standards. This does not mean any single ghat is safe on a given day.
• The water stays cold: The same 2025 readings recorded water temperatures between 17 and 22 °C. Cold water and strong currents can tire even good swimmers very quickly.
• Follow local rules first: Enjoy the river from the steps and viewing points. Enter only where authorities clearly allow bathing, never go alone, and keep children away from the edge.

Sit on the steps for a while and watch the rafts drift past.

Optional Extras if a Crossing Is Open

These stops sit across the river, so add them only if a crossing is officially open on the day.

• Tera Manzil temple: This 13-storey temple stands near Laxman Jhula on the Jonk side. You can reach it on foot from Tapovan only once Bajrang Setu opens for walkers.
• Evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan: Parmarth Niketan is in Swarg Ashram, further downstream on the far bank. Check which footbridge is open, or ask locally about the road route, before planning this.
• A global yoga hub: Parmarth Niketan's 2026 International Yoga Festival welcomed participants from nearly 80 nations. Book your stay early if your trip falls in early March.

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Director of the festival, describes this as a land "where the saints, sages and rishis have come for thousands of years". Walk back before dark, as some lanes are poorly lit.

Where to Stay for Exploring Tapovan on Foot

Your stay decides how easy this walk feels. Use these points to compare your options.

• Look at the street, not the town:  Many people search for a hotel near Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, but for this walk the exact street and slope matter far more than the town name.
• Measure the distance yourself: When comparing hotels near Tapovan, Rishikesh, open a map app and check the walking distance to the Laxman Jhula Road junction before you book.
• Match the stay to your plans: Resort Decoracao is on Laxman Jhula Road. Its official page lists dawn yoga, trail walks, Ayurvedic spa rituals, and vegetarian dining.
• Read guest feedback: On the resort's own site, guest Aditya Verma from Lucknow writes that "everything we wanted to explore was within easy reach" [8]. Compare reviews across several properties.

Pick the base that fits your route, then plan the walk around it.

Before You Set Out

Before you leave, check the bridge status, pick your endpoint and allow extra time for the uphill return. The main route works even with both bridges closed, which makes it a reliable morning plan. If you want to begin on Laxman Jhula Road itself, Resort De Coracao in Tapovan Rishikesh is one option on this street. Check room types and current rates with Resort De Coracao, then plan your walk around the latest local notices.

References

1. Drishti IAS, "Bajrang Setu," State PCS Current Affairs, 11 November 2025. https://www.drishtiias.com/state-pcs-current-affairs/bajrang-setu
2. ETV Bharat, citing Uttarakhand Tourism Department data, 3 February 2026. https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/uttarakhand-records-all-time-high-tourist-footfall-in-2025-crosses-6-crore-mark-enn26020306415
3. NBM&CW, "Bajrang Setu Glass Bridge in Rishikesh Faces Minor Damage Ahead of Opening," 14 April 2026. https://www.nbmcw.com/news/bajrang-setu-glass-bridge-in-rishikesh-faces-minor-damage-ahead-of-opening.html
4. Amar Ujala, Rishikesh News, report on Bajrang Setu operations, 21 October 2026. https://amarujala.com/uttarakhand/rishikesh/opposition-to-the-movement-of-four-wheeled-vehicles-on-bajrang-setu-rishikesh-news-c-38-1-rks1008-147927-2026-10-21
5. Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, "Water Quality Characteristics of River Ganga at Rishikesh and Haridwar," 2025 monthly data. https://ukpcb.uk.gov.in//public/fileupload/921.pdf
6. Central Pollution Control Board, Compliance Report in OA No. 200 of 2014, National Green Tribunal, 2025. https://www.greentribunal.gov.in/sites/default/files/news_updates/Compliance%20Report%20on%20behalf%20of%20CPCB%20in%20OA%20No%20200%20of%202014%20(M.C.Mehta%20Vs.%20UOI%20and%20Ors.).pdf
7. International Yoga Festival, Parmarth Niketan, March 2026. https://internationalyogafestival.org/2026/03/
8. Resort De Coração Rishikesh, official property page, 2026. https://www.resortdecoracao.com/resort-de-coracao-rishikesh