Kemmannu Hanging Bridge Udupi: Location, Current Status, Kayaking & How to Reach

Complete Guide to Kemmannu Hanging Bridge: Location, Current Status, Kayaking and How to Reach

Kemmannu Hanging Bridge is a 280-foot suspension footbridge over the Swarna (Suvarna) River at Kemmannu, in Thonse village, Udupi district. It links Padukudru with the river island of Thimmanna Kudru, which is why it is also called the Thimmanna Kudru Hanging Bridge, the Thonse hanging bridge and the Kemmannu suspension bridge. Built by NCC cadets in January 1991, it became the best-known hanging bridge in Udupi and one of the most photographed offbeat spots on the Udupi coast.

One thing to know before you plan your trip: the Thonse Gram Panchayat has kept the bridge closed to walkers since January 2023 for safety reasons, so you cannot cross it today. The visit is still worth the short drive. You can see the bridge from the banks, paddle under it in a kayak, and combine it with Delta Beach, Hoode and the Swarna backwaters. This guide covers the current status, history, location, kayaking, best time to visit and how to reach Kemmannu Hanging Bridge from Udupi.

1. Kemmannu Hanging Bridge Key Facts at a Glance

2. Is Kemmannu Hanging Bridge Open? Current Status

No. Kemmannu Hanging Bridge is closed to the public. On 7 January 2023 the Thonse Gram Panchayat ordered the closure after visitors kept ignoring warning notices about the weak condition of the structure. The decision came soon after the Morbi bridge disaster in Gujarat had raised safety questions about suspension bridges across India.

In February 2023 the district administration and the Udupi unit of Cochin Shipyard inspected the bridge to plan a restoration, with repair estimates between ₹35 lakh and ₹50 lakh. Until repairs are completed and the panchayat announces a reopening, the bridge stays closed to walkers.

What You Can Still Do at Kemmannu

• See the bridge from the banks: The full span and its backdrop of coconut palms and mangroves are visible from the approach road and the riverside.
• Kayak under the bridge: Local operators run kayak trips on the Swarna backwaters right beside the bridge.
• Visit Thimmanna Kudru by road: A motorable bridge now connects the island with the mainland. Respect private property while you walk.
• Photograph the backwaters: The bridge, river bends and fishing boats make this a favourite spot for photographers and pre-wedding shoots.

Why Kemmannu Is Still Worth Visiting

Many travellers skip Kemmannu once they hear the bridge is closed, and that is a mistake. The bridge is only one part of the place. The real charm of Kemmannu is the working backwater village around it: narrow lanes lined with coconut palms, fishermen mending nets on the riverbank, and still creeks where the only sound is a paddle in the water. It is one of the few spots in Udupi where you can enjoy this peaceful river landscape within a short drive of the city, without the crowds of Malpe or Kaup.

The closure has also made the area quieter. With fewer people crowding the planks, the riverbank is calmer, the water is clearer for photographs, and the kayak operators have more time to give each group personal attention. If you plan the visit as a river and backwater trip rather than a bridge crossing, you will enjoy it far more.

3. History of Kemmannu (Thimmanna Kudru) Hanging Bridge

Before 1991 the island of Thimmanna Kudru could be reached only by boat. During their annual training camp from 16 to 27 January 1991, NCC cadets of the 2 and 4 Karnataka Engineering Company built a suspension footbridge to link the island with Padukudru. Cadets from engineering colleges in Surathkal, Manipal and Nitte took part, the materials were funded by local residents, and the whole job took about twelve days. About 26 families on the island helped with the work, and the bridge was named Deepak in memory of a late NCC cadet.

The first deck used wooden planks, but salt water weakened them, so the planks were later replaced with iron and concrete tiles. The bridge was expected to last only five years, yet it served the island for more than three decades. It swayed gently under the feet of every walker, and that sway became its trademark with travellers.

When a motorable bridge was built for vehicles, island residents no longer needed the hanging bridge for daily travel. It turned into a tourist attraction, drawing visitors every day and supporting kayaking and boating businesses on the river. That popularity is also what led to the safety closure in 2023.

4. Where Is Kemmannu Hanging Bridge? Location and Surroundings

Kemmannu Hanging Bridge is in the Kemmannu area of Thonse (Tonse) village, north of Udupi on the Suvarna estuary. It is about 11 km from Udupi town, about 4 km from Santhekatte on NH-66 and about 7 km from Delta Beach (Kodi Bengre Beach). The Kemmannu turn is roughly 1.5 km before Hoode Beach on the Kemmannu-Hoode Road.

The area is typical Udupi backwater country: tidal creeks, mangrove patches, coconut groves and small river islands called kudrus. Thimmanna Kudru and Pintere Kudru are the best-known islands. Fishermen use small boats on the river through the day, and the lanes around the bridge are quiet compared with the busier beaches such as Malpe.

5. Things to See and Do Around Kemmannu Hanging Bridge

The Bridge and the Backwaters

Even closed, the 280-foot span is a striking sight against the Swarna River. Stand on the bank in the morning when the water is still and the bridge reflects on the surface. The creek bends around the island, and the green mangrove edges make the whole scene feel far from the city.

Kayaking at Kemmannu

Kayaking is the main activity at Kemmannu today. Three to four local operators work along the river near the bridge, and Karnataka Tourism lists Kemmannu among the Udupi destinations for calm backwater kayaking through mangroves and river bends. Typical rates are around ₹200 per person for one hour and ₹100 for half an hour, though prices vary by operator and season, so confirm before you start.

• Life jackets are provided, and a guide stays close on beginner trips.
• Carry cash, because UPI signal can be weak in the village.
• Wear quick-dry clothes, a cap and sunscreen, and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.
• Mornings are calmest, and kayaking stops during the heavy monsoon months.

What a Typical Kayak Trip Looks Like

A standard trip starts at the operator's launch point near the bridge. You get a short briefing, a life jacket and a paddle, and a guide shows you how to steer and stop. Most beginners are comfortable within five minutes. From there you paddle along the creek, pass under and around the old hanging bridge, and follow the mangrove edge where the water is shallow and slow. A one-hour trip covers the main stretch and gives you time to stop for photographs. Single and double kayaks are usually available, so couples and families can paddle together.

For safety, always wear the life jacket, stay with your group, and avoid paddling when the river is running fast after heavy rain. Children should paddle only with an adult, and non-swimmers should tell the operator before they start.

Birdlife and Mangroves

The tidal creeks around Kemmannu attract kingfishers, egrets, herons and Brahminy kites. A quiet half hour on the bank in the early morning or late afternoon is the best way to see them.

Boating and Photography

Boat rides on the backwaters show the bridge from the water, and the setting is popular for pre-wedding photo shoots. If you carry a camera, a wide lens works best for the full span of the bridge.

6. Best Time to Visit Kemmannu Hanging Bridge

Best time of day: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for still water, cool air and birdlife, or 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for soft light. Avoid the midday heat from March to May.

7. How to Reach Kemmannu Hanging Bridge from Udupi

By Road (Car or Two-Wheeler)

From Udupi town drive north on NH-66 towards Kundapura. At Santhekatte take the Kemmannu-Hoode Road and continue towards Hoode Beach. Turn off to Kemmannu about 1.5 km before Hoode Beach and follow the lane to the bridge approach. The drive is about 11 km and takes 25 to 30 minutes. Park at the roadside without blocking village traffic.

By Local Bus

Take a city bus from the Udupi Service Bus Stand towards Kemmannu or Kodi Bengre. The ride takes 25 to 30 minutes, and the fare is about ₹20 to ₹30. Get down at Kemmannu, cross the road bridge and walk about 1 km (around 15 minutes) to the bridge. Buses on this route are limited, so check the return timing with the conductor.

By Auto-Rickshaw or Taxi

An auto or taxi from Udupi is the easiest option, and drivers can wait while you kayak. See our auto rental in Udupi and taxi rental in Udupi pages for fixed rates, or the full Udupi transportation guide.

By Train and Air

The nearest railway station is Udupi (Konkan Railway), about 11 km away. The nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport, about 70 km south. For longer routes see how to reach Udupi.

8. Photography Tips for Kemmannu Hanging Bridge

• Go early: The river is mirror-calm in the first hours of the morning, which gives clean reflections of the bridge.
• Use a wide lens: A wide angle captures the full 280-foot span with the palms and sky.
• Shoot from the water: A kayak gives a low angle that most visitors never see.
• Use the golden hour: Late afternoon light turns the creek and mangroves warm and soft.
• Ask before photographing people: Island residents and fishermen live and work here, so ask permission and respect their privacy.

Kemmannu Hanging Bridge Photo Gallery

Photos of Kemmannu Hanging Bridge over the Swarna River in Thonse, Udupi. Tap any photo to view it full screen.

9. Kemmannu vs Kemthoor vs Heroor: Hanging Bridges Near Udupi

Udupi district has three well-known hanging bridges. Here is how they compare.

Because Kemmannu is closed to walkers, the Kemthoor Hanging Bridge is the better choice if you want to walk on a hanging bridge near Udupi. Kemmannu is the better choice for kayaking and for pairing with the coast.

10. Places to Visit Near Kemmannu Hanging Bridge

For an overnight stay, river-island cottages and village stays around Kemmannu and Kodi Bengre offer backwater views. Browse our Udupi homestays page, and plan your meals with the Udupi food guide. To build a full route, see the Udupi itinerary.

Eating and Staying Near Kemmannu

Kemmannu itself has only a few small shops, so plan your meals around the coast. Fishing shacks at Kodi Bengre serve fresh tawa-fried fish, fish curry rice and coastal clam dishes, and the Udupi town restaurants offer the classic temple-town vegetarian meals. If you want to stay near the backwaters, homestays and river-island cottages around Kemmannu, Hoode and Kodi Bengre give you early-morning river views and a quiet night away from the highway. Book ahead for weekends between October and February.

11. Visitor Tips and Etiquette

• Respect the closure: Never walk on the bridge or cross the barricades.
• Check kayaking timings: Operators set their own hours, so go in the morning and confirm on arrival.
• Carry cash: Small shops and kayak operators may not accept digital payments.
• Keep the village clean: Take your plastic and snack wrappers back with you.
• Respect residents: Thimmanna Kudru has private homes and farms, so stay on public paths.
• Wear non-slip footwear: Riverbank edges are muddy and slippery, especially after rain.
• Avoid the monsoon rush: From June to September the river is high and kayaking is closed.

12. Sample Half-Day Plan: Kemmannu and Delta Beach

1. 7:30 AM: Leave Udupi and drive to Santhekatte.
2. 8:15 AM: Reach Kemmannu and see Kemmannu Hanging Bridge from the bank.
3. 8:45 AM: Go kayaking on the Swarna River (about one hour).
4. 10:30 AM: Drive to Delta Beach and walk the estuary sandbar.
5. 12:30 PM: Lunch at a Kodi Bengre seafood shack.
6. 2:00 PM: Stop at Hoode Beach, then return to Udupi.

13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)