Top 10 hikes in & around Kathmandu
Nepal is a magical country which is a heady mix of beauty, nature and wildlife. The breathtaking views of the high Himalayas are indeed a sight to behold.
The natural beauty from the hilltops that surrounds bowl-shaped Kathmandu city is undeniably beautiful. You will really appreciate the pristine beauty of nature, some quite amazing views of sky touching the Himalayas and lush green hills that surround the valley which also houses different species of birds.
Some feisty tourists may not have the time to spare as well. This is where hikes come in!
Hikes are comfortable walking or climbing trips, usually ending in a day or two. If you're in Kathmandu for a short while but still want to get a whiff of pristine mountain air, a hike is your best bet - they're cheap, noteworthy, and gorgeous and do wonders for your health as well!
Discover the 10 best trails for hiking in Kathmandu, and choose the one you like the most. Strap those hiking boots on!
Most of the hiking spots around the valley are accessible within a couple of hours' drive from any part of the city.
1. White Monastery Hike
"The White Monastery" popularly known as Seto Gumba/White Gumba among the Nepalese. It is a Buddhist monastery of Nepal which is situated at the top of Druk Amitabh Mountain.It is located at Nagarjun municipality of Kathmandu District. It is located outside the ring road north of Swoyambhu Nath temple.
Seto Gumba is a cultural site full of natural beauty, Tibetean architecture & culture.It is surrounded by lush green valley. The picturesque topography of White Gumba is remarkable that attracts the visitors to it.The area around the White Monastery is very peacefull and quite, one can visit it for meditation practices and also for learning about Buddhism.Because it lies at the top of hill we can view the spectacular view of Kathmandu valley from Seto Gumba. If the weather is clear you even can sight the breathtaking view of mountain range.White Gumba is also the second best spot to view the sun rise and sunset after the Nagarkot.Many people visit here to view the sunrise and sunset from the hill which is inexpressible. Peace and traquility is reflected from every part of the gumba.The architecture and the beauty of The White Gumba forces people to snap pictures.
- Starting point: Swayambhu
- Ending point: Seto Gumba
- Distance: 15 kilometres
- Duration: Minimum 3.5 hours
- Altitude: 1500m/4920 ft
Highlights: - Stupa and murals
- Sunset and sunrise view
- A panoramic vista of Kathmandu valley
- Clay statues
2. Kakani Hike
Kakani's gorgeous route takes you right through the alpine forests, to Kakani - a small village near Kathmandu. The trail is easy, gravely and has a very slight incline, making it easy to hike. If you want to take rest, there are numerous picnic spots and roadside shops to take a quick break. Don't forget to try the local cuisine at Kakani.
- Starting point: Kakani
- Distance: 25 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 5 hours
- Altitude: 2000 m/6560 ft.
- Ending point: Kathmandu
- Astounding views of Kathmandu valley
- Forests full of oak, pine and rhododendron trees
- Views of Langtang Mountain Range, Shisha Pangma Range, Annapurna Range, Mt Manaslu
3. Phulchowki Hike
Phulchowki is the highest hill in Kathmandu valley, which means that the views from the top are sure to be astounding! You are bound to find hikers with you as you try to scale this hill.
Your hike is punctuated by snow-capped mountains, exotic birds and towering mountains on all sides. Once you reach the village, spare a visit to the Botanic Garden to spy some colorful, eclectic plants. You can also stay in hotels or camp at designated locations.
- Starting point: Kathmandu
- Ending point: Godawari
- Distance: 19 kilometres
- Duration: Minimum 3.5 hours
- Altitude: 2782 m/9130 ft
- Botanical garden
- Diverse flora and fauna, especially birds, orchids, butterflies and rhododendrons
4. Nagarkot
Besides scenic views and outdoor hiking, the town itself doesn't
offer much, but this laid-back vibe (and not a tout in sight) makes
Nagarkot a good place for long-term backpackers to spend two or three
nights and plan the next leg of their trip.
-
Starting point:
Sankhu
- Ending point: Nagarkot
- Distance: 28 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 5 hours
- Altitude: 2175 m/7135 ft.
Highlights: - A taste of Newari culture at Sankhu
- Sunrise and sunset points
- Nagarkot Tower
- View from Dhaulagiri to Kanchenjunga, Mt Everest, Mt Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang
5. Sundarijal Hike
Kopan Monastery is open for all those who want to do yoga, meditation, and retreat. Sundarijal(15km northeast of Kathmandu)is an attractive destination to all the tourists as we cross over Bagmati River (a holy river for Hindus). Another attractive things of Sundarijal is a man-made reservoir, which looks astonishing in the middle of the forest. Additionally, you will get to see the waterfalls during the monsoon season. Sundarijal shows its beauty for the adventure sports lover. It is also represented as one of the gateways for Langtang- Gosaikunda trek.
You can enjoy the wider valley view (more than the 180-degree view) from here. You will love to take pictures and even enjoy the local taste of tea at the small tea shops. A small yet beautiful Tamang village is visible from this location. Now, we continue our hike enjoying the trail passing through the beautiful green forest, where we can encounter the different species of birds, animals, butterflies, and insects.
- Starting point: Budhanilkantha
- Ending point: Sundarijal
- Distance: 22 kilometres
- Duration: Minimum 6 hours
- Altitude: 100 m/4930 ft
Highlights: -Passing by lakes and waterholes
·
6. 6. Shivpuri Hike
· This is the first phase of the previous trek that you can either drive over or choose to walk. This trail has a steeper incline, but is totally worth it, for the sights that await you on this hike are truly one-in-a-million. If you tire out too soon, you can always hitch a ride on a pony or a jeep. The Budhanilkantha temple is said to possess great power and has wish-granting abilities, while the Nagi Gompa is a center of quiet reflection.
- Starting point: Kathmandu
- Ending point: Shivapuri
- Distance: 10 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 5 hours
- Altitude: 2560 m/8400 ft.
- Budhanilkantha temple
- Nagi Gompa
· 7. Namobuddha
This Buddhist shrine holds high significance for tourists and devotees alike, as it depicts the story of Mahasatta, a prince who fed himself to a tigress and her cubs. The Stupa at Namobuddha radiates peace and calm and is a must-visit. You can follow a small river from the town of Panauti, which looks breathtaking. If you're lucky, you'll find Nepali farmers in action and maybe help them out too!
- Starting point: Kathmandu
- Ending point: Namobuddha
- Distance: 38 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 6 hours
- Altitude: 1800 m/5900 ft.
- The quaint town of Panauti
- Suspension bridge
- Buddhist Stupa and shrines
- View of Mt Everest and Langtang Mountain Range
· 8. Champadevi
The southwestern rim of the Kathmandu Valley rears up in a prominent fishtail of twin peaks, the highest visible parts of the Chandragiri range. The eastern summit is known as Champadevi, after the resident goddess.
- Starting point: Kathmandu
- Distance: 20 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 4.5 hours
- Altitude: 2249 m/7380 ft.
- Monastery
- Pine forests
- Langtang and Annapurna range views
· 9. Chisapani Lake
The Chisapani hike is a local favorite because it takes you through the Shivapuri National Park, Chisapani village and dense forests, all under four hours. You are sure to fall in love with the simple village, which is set against the magnificent backdrop of the towering snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. You may even be able to spot animals in the forest!
- Starting point:
Sundarijal
- Ending point: Chisapani
- Distance: 13 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 3 hours
- Altitude: 2215 m/7270 ft.
- Shivapuri National Park trek
- Views of the sub-tropical forests
- Views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Jugal Himal, Gaurishankar Himal ranges
10. Nagarjuna Hike
This location holds great historical significance because this is the location that Manjushree, a Chinese saint, first laid eyes on what was to become Kathmandu Valley. An earlier record shows that the Buddha also came to Nagarjuna cave. The Water Garden, a little south of Nagarjuna, is also a must-visit. This exquisite location offers a great range of history, nature and aesthetic beauty! The Padmasambhava Monastery is a small den where hikers can rest and speak to the monks on a wide variety of topics.
- Starting point: Kathmandu
- Ending point: Nagarjuna
- Distance: 20 kilometers
- Duration: Minimum 4 hours
- Altitude: 1950 m/6400 ft.
- Viewpoint
- Balaju Water Garden
- Nagarjuna's cave
- Mahasiddha cave
- Manjushree Cave
BONUS HIKES FOR EXTRA FUN :
Bajrabarahi Godavari Day Hike
This is a short hiking nearby Kathmandu city. The temple - BajraBarahi is very a famous Hindu temple. Some fascinating architecture can be seen here. We start the hiking after a short drive of 30 minutes from Kathmandu city to the Bajra Barahi Temple of Patan.
Besides the Temple of Bajra Barahi, a glimpse of the village lifestyle and traditional farming of the area can be observed. You will also see the highest surrounding hill of Kathmandu - Phulchoki Hill as you walk ahead from this famous temple. This area although not very far from the city but has a traditional way of life and farming.
As you go down on the trail you can see the view of high mountains, Langtang Lirung, the Ganesh Himal range, and the 8th highest mountain Mountains. The trails are very easy with few ascents and half of it goes through the village and the remaining half goes through the forest. After walking for around 3 hours at a gentle pace - we reach the Botanical garden where we will provide you lunch.
Jamacho Day Hike
To take a quick break from the bustling city and to walk in the wonders of nature, Jamacho Day Hike is one of the best choices which is located at 2100 meters above from the sea level. As the name suggests, it can be done in one day. Jamacho day hike is one of the popular short hikes in Nepal and is easily accessible from Kathmandu Valley it takes about a half-hour drive to reach at the spot from where the hike starts. Hiking begins from near the Balaju bypass, also known as the Phulbari gate. After getting the entry ticket at the gate, one can begin the hike. The mesmerizing landscape view, bird watching, the view of smiley Himalayas can be experienced here.
During the hike, one can feel a peaceful state of mind with a natural setting. Similarly, after reaching the top one can pay homage to Nagarjun Buddha at Jamacho Monastery. You may also see several Buddhist monks paying their homage at the top of a hill in a monastery. Nagarjun-Jamacho hiking also offers spiritual heightening as well as also known as the best place to meditate. A view tower also stands there which offers a view of Kathmandu valley at the bottom and a magnificent view of snow-capped mountains such as Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Jugal and Langtang to the North at a clear day which will really entice you to keep watching. At the top, you may click pictures, read a book, meditate, etc.
Simba Falls Hike
Simba Falls is a well-kept secret in Manikhel, about 50 Kms away from Kathmandu city. The trail is one hour long but is quite hard. But it's a great activity for seasons.
Anyone who is planning to visit there via local bus or bike they have to spend one night there at manikhel or nearby manikhel which is gothikhel. It’s my suggestion. Those who's planning to go through local bus it will depart from chapagaun @10 and 12 pm, but reach there 1 hour earlier and get a ticket for better seat (Rs. 135 per person) or else you have to stand and travel it will take 3 hours from there, bus will not return same day so local bus travelers have to stay 1 night. For private bike's and car gang it will take 4 to 5 hours ride from Kathmandu and you have to walk for nearly 2 hours to reach Simba Waterfall which is shown above and can return same day but due to lot of uphill’s and off roads rider will get tired. Some other suggestions.
1. There will be lots of people at Saturday so it’s better visit another day
2. Reach there earlier as you can so you can reach top of waterfall Simba which is just an hour or 45 min away from Simba
3. Camping or home stay.
4. Person with simple hiking experience can go there and it’s not dangerous as shown in this video but who don’t have walking habit don't go and even if you are planning to go there don't get bored on the way
5. So for local travelers of Kathmandu, it will take you 1 and half an hour to reach chapagaun and 3 hours bus ride then 2 hours of hike.
6. It’s very difficult. There are lots of uphill roads after crossing Bagh Bhairav. After that you will face few km off roads then favorable pitched roads, after crossing several mountains you will reach manikhel. Ask some local people about route then it’s up to you (park or ride), you have to carry your cycle several times if you want take it up to Simba.
It's so amazing place nice simba falls there is not only simba falls there is also batase gumba,as kaleshower mahadev temple,and chana dhunga etc.its a natural god give gifts. We everybody should go there wonderful place
- Starting point: Lagankhel
- Ending point: Manikhel
- Distance: 50 kilometres
- Duration: Minimum 2 hours
- Altitude: 2000 ft
Hihighlights: - Batase Gumba,as kaleshower mahadev temple,and chana dhunga
- Simba falls
- Always carry travel essentials on your person - a first-aid kit, water, health bars, flashlight, knife and rope
- If you plan on staying over, carry camping gear as well
- Carry insect repellent, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, a lighter, matches, portable charger and other toiletries as well
- Take care to not litter. Do not throw waste or plastics around, and dispose of responsibly. Remember that you are hiking in the wild
- Do not attempt to feed or befriend any animals you may encounter
- Carry necessary permits
- Carry local currency as small shops may not accept international currencies. In this case, keep coins and notes of the Nepali Rupee - NPR
- Plan your trip ahead of time - keep the weather in mind
- If this is your first time hiking in Nepal, going with a group is advisable
- Always carry a local map with you, with detailed trails. Map your entire journey out before you start
- Be considerate to locals, and respect their culture when it comes to attire, etiquette and cuisine
- Beware of misleading guides - always hire a guide who is certified by the government. Ask for identification
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