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Hiking Trips around Kathmandu Valley

29 March 2024

Planning a Trip to Nepal?

Since there are many hills and mountains all around Kathmandu, hiking is a well-liked pastime for both residents and tourists. There are hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, from novices to experts.

Walking in natural settings, usually on hilly or other picturesque terrain, is the outdoor activity known as Hiking. Nepal is a mystical nation with stunning mountain ranges extending from the east to the far west.

The Kathmandu Valley is renowned for its numerous temples and stupas, as well as its cultural and historical richness. It is also renowned for the stunning natural surroundings. Hiking Trips around Kathmandu provide an opportunity to quickly get away from the busy city and into peaceful forests with captivating views of the mountains.

Take time to enjoy the fresh air and verdant surroundings as you set out on these short hiking trips. Every hike has something different to offer, from the peaceful atmosphere of the paths to the breathtaking vistas of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

If you are looking for short hiking routes around Kathmandu valley, here are some of the best hiking trips that might be worth considering.

Here is the list of 7 Best Hiking Trips in Nepal that we, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition recommend.

  • Nagarkot Hiking Trip
  • Champadevi Hiking Trip
  • Kakani Hiking Trip
  • Namobuddha Hiking Trip
  • Pulchowki Hiking Trip
  • Ranikot Hiking Trip
  • Shivapuri Hiking Trip
At an elevation of 2175 meters above sea level, Nagarkot is one of the most scenic places in the valley, offering spectacular sunrise views of the Himalayan ranges, including Everest. It is a popular hiking destination in Kathmandu among domestic and international travelers. Nagarkot is an ideal place to enjoy the hiking trip amidst the beautiful scenery of hills and Himalayas.

Highlights

  • Himalayan panorama, including Everest
  • Hike through Shivapuri National Park
  • Engaging local experiences in Sankhu village
  • Explore Kathmandu Valley
  • Visit Changunarayan Temple
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Sankhu
  • Ending Point : Changunarayan
  • Duration : 1 day
Champadevi is the third highest hill in Kathmandu valley and offers beautiful views of mountains like Everest, Langtang, Gaurishanker Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, etc. On this hiking trip, beautiful views of Kathmandu valley including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts can be observed. You can also see the historical places of Nepal like Bagmati river, Bugmati, Khokna, Pharping, etc. To the right of Champadevi is Phulchoki hill and to the left is Chandragiri hill (the highest hill around Kathmandu valley).

Highlights

  • Walk through a verdant forest filled with pine trees
  • Enjoy fantastic aerial views of Kathmandu Valley and Pharping
  • Breathtaking view of highest mountains like Langtang, Gauri Shankar etc.
  • Explore monastery and Padmasambhava cave
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Pharping
  • Ending Point : Hattiban
  • Duration : 1 day
Kakani is situated northwest of Kathmandu in a hill lock. It is located 2073 meters above sea level. It is a well-known location for sunsets and sunrises. From Kakani, one can observe several snow-capped mountains, including Langtang Himal (7234 m), Ganesh Himal (7422 m), Annapurna range, Gaurishankar Himal, Manaslu and many more and below that stunning landscape of Nuwakot. The picturesque view of lush hills, oak and pine forests from Kakani are wonderful.

Highlights

  • Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Kaule, Kakani, with splendid views of hills and valleys
  • Observe the diverse topography of Nepal
  • Enjoy local wine and organic strawberries, Himalayan Trout fish as well as Rhododendron-flavored liquor
  • Explore the Tamang culture and traditions in Kakani
  • Spectacular views of Annapurna Range, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Langtang, Mt. Gaurishankar, and the Ganesh Himal from Kakani’s viewpoint
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Kakani Danda
  • Ending Point : Kakani Danda
  • Duration : 1 day
Namobuddha is located close to the Kathmandu Valley. We take a 35-kilometer drive to Dhulikhel, where we start our two-hour hike through a dense pine forest to reach Namobuddha. Namobuddha Hike is a great way to explore the traditional villages and holy sites near the southeast of Kathmandu city. There is an artistic, well-preserved, and beautiful monastery situated on the hill. The monastery is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists in Nepal, as it is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha, in one of his past lives, offered his body to a hungry tigress and her cubs. The main shrine of the monastery contains a statue of Lord Buddha in a meditative posture, and the walls are adorned with intricate paintings depicting the life of Buddha. Apart from the monastery, Namobuddha also has a beautiful stupa, which is said to have been built by King Asoka in the 3rd century BC. The stupa is a popular spot for Buddhist pilgrims, who come here to offer prayers and circumambulate the stupa.

Highlights

  • Visit Dhulikhel, Namo Buddha & Balthali Village
  • Local village life style, Buddhist monasteries, old temples and great landscape
  • Witness numerous snow-capped Himalayan mountains like Langtang range, Manaslu range, Gaurishankar range, and Mahalangur range
  • A spiritual and cultural experience
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Dhulikhel
  • Ending Point : Namobudhha
  • Duration : 1 day
Located to the south of the valley in the Lalitpur district at an altitude of 2789 m, Pulchowki is the highest of all the hills that surround the Kathmandu valley. The name, ‘Phulchowki’ translates to, ’A hill of flowers’. You can see magnificent views of Gauri Shankar, Jugal, Dorje Lakpa, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Sisapangma, Manaslu, and Annapurna massifs. On super-clear autumn days, you can also see Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks. Other green hills like Chandragiri, Shivapuri, Jamacho, Bhasmasur, Champadevi, and more also look magnificent from the top of Fulchoki Hill. You can also see the whole Kathmandu Valley and captivating landscapes from the Phulchoki Peak.

Highlights

  • Sublime views of the Himalayas such as the Annapurna ranges and Gaurishankar
  • Green hills and captivating landscapes
  • Jungle walk experience
  • Opportunity to witness different species of birds, butterflies, and wildlife
  • Phulchowki Mai Temple, an important Hindu pilgrimage site on the top of the hill
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Godawari
  • Ending Point : Godawari
  • Duration : 1 day
An excellent way to get a taste of traditional farming methods and visit Nepal's countryside is through a Ranikot Hiking excursion. Hiking offers opportunities to engage with hospitable locals, savor regional food, and experience the rich cultural legacy of temples and monasteries. Along with meandering routes through terraced fields and traditional towns, the journey passes through forests, streams, and steep inclines. Visitors are drawn to this location by the breathtaking valley view, tranquil surroundings, sunrises and sunsets, and the expansive panorama of the Himalayas, which stretches from the Annapurna range in the west to the Everest range in the east.

Highlights

  • Fantastic views of Himalayas and Kathmandu Valley
  • Panoramic views of the Himalayas from Ranikot hill top
  • Visit Panauti & Balthali village
  • Hiking through forests & bird watching
  • Enjoy farming & experience local village lifestyle
  • Explore Ranikot Fort
  • Visit Pilot Baba Ashram and Ghampe Danda
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Suryabinayak
  • Ending Point : Panauti
  • Duration : 1 day
Standing at a height of 2563 meters to the north of Kathmandu, Shivapuri is the second-highest hill surrounding the valley. One of the most thrilling hikes in the Kathmandu area is to Shivapuri. The Shivapuri hiking trail offers a welcome diversion from the bustle of the city as it winds through verdant forests, a variety of wildlife, and expansive vistas of Shivapuri National Park. Views of Kathmandu valley and Himalayan ranges are exquisite. An understanding of Buddhism and Hinduism practiced in Nepal can be gained from visiting the temples of Nagi Gompa and Budhanil Kantha.

Highlights

  • Hiking along the Shivapuri National Park
  • Spectacular view of the Kathmandu valley, Langtang mountain range, Mt. Manaslu, and nearby summits on a clear day
  • Unique Flora and Fauna
  • Visit Budhanilkantha, Nagi Gompa, and Bagdwar, along with Shivapuri hill itself
  • Cultural experience of countryside of Nepal
  • Trip Facts

  • Starting Point : Muhan Pokhari
  • Ending Point : Budhanilkantha
  • Duration : 1 day