In one embodiment, a method comprises promiscuously detecting, by a network device in a wireless data network having a tree-based topology for reaching a root device, a wireless data packet transmitted by a source network device and specifying a destination device in the wireless data network; determining, by the network device, that the destination device is within a first sub-topology provided by the network device to reach the root device, wherein the source network device is within a second distinct sub-topology provided by a parent device of the source network device to reach the root device; and causing installation of a bypass path, bypassing the root device, based on the network device generating and transmitting an instruction to the parent device to install a route entry causing a data packet destined for the destination device to be routed by the parent device directly to the network device.