There are many beautiful places for hiking in Nepal. On the background of the highest white-mountains, hikers may enjoy the green filled valleys and hills beneath the clear blue sky. The chill air that flows around of the water falls, the chirps of birds and encounter with her marvelous animals will certainly relief one from the stress and crowded life. Nepal, the country situated in the lap of Himalayas, has over 1300 peaks between 5500 m and 8848 m above sea level. The hills of Nepal are popular for hiking. Thus, it makes Nepal a paradise for peak hikers. Hiking is not as extreme as trekking but you have to be careful because hiking in mountains of Nepal can be challenging in terms of physical fitness and health. Hiking in Nepal offers us the spectacular views of the mountains and the deep valleys, as well as a chance to become acquainted with the Nepali people’s lifestyle, their art, architecture and cultural traditions. some popular hiking destinations of Nepal are Annapurna and Everest region. Beside that most of the Nepal traveler search the short Kathmandu and Pokhara hiking.
Kathmandu valley in itself is a place where you can spend days and it offers some excellent destination for hiking or short trekking. A few hour of hike will take you from busy street of Kathmandu to quiet and peaceful rural areas where you can experience nature, culture and the traditional way of life. Some of the one day hikes you can complete around Kathmandu valley includes Shivapuri Hill, Namobuddha, Phulchowki and Champadevi.
List of best places for hiking in Nepal
Bungmati Khokana Hiking
Bungmati is a small typical Newa (Newari) village, situated about 12 km south from Kathmandu which has many master wood carver. There is Rato Machhendranath and Karya Binayak temple.
Khokana a small is also a small Newa village having nearly about 750 houses. This medieval Newa settlement is situated about 10 km south from Kathmandu. It is known for Mustard oil processing known as “tori ko tel” in local Nepali language. Oil processing is done in the traditional way by using a heavy wooden beam to crush the mustard seeds to extract the oil. This oil is used as a cooking oil and also for massage. Shikali Ajima (Rudrayani, the mother goddess) temple is located here.
Manichud hiking
Manichud is a hiking destination located in North-East of Kathmandu Valley. It lies in the Shivapuri-Nagarjung National Park area. It’s historical and religious factor is one of the main reason for attracting tourists and pilgrimages. It is known as Manichud and also as Khadgajogini. Manichud is not a new destination for domestic tourists. Manichud hiking
Shivapuri Hill
The starting point for hiking to Shivapuri is Budhanilkhanta. This hiking destination is located to the north from Kathmandu and the hiking trail passes through Shivapuri Nagarjun National park. Once you are inside the park, you will be greeted with a great sound of birds. Baghdwar, the main source of Bagmati river river is located in the deeper part of this area. Bagmati river is one of the Holiest river in Hindu culture. The hiking is through National park so, there will be no shop or restaurants. Make sure that you carry enough food and water for a day when you visit to Shivapuri Hill.
Jamacho Balaju Hiking
Jamacho is a Non touristic area in Kathmandu situated about 2000 m from the sea level, also known as Nagarjun by locals. After walking about three hours up to the Jamacho, we can see the beautiful views of the Kathmandu city. There is also a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site at the top. There will be many religious visitors once in a year on the full moon day of April or May. That day will be the birth day of Gautam Buddha. Since 2008, Royal family is living on the way to the Nagarjun mountain . Nagarjun is a preserved forest where you can find different plants and wild animals … Hiking in Nagarjun
Baghdwar hiking
In Srimad Pashupati Puran, it is said that Mahadev got impressed from Bhakta Prahlad prayer. Bagmati is originated from Mahadev’s Vocal when he appeared in the Shivapuri mountain. For Hindus and Buddhist Baghdwar is a sacred pilgrimage site and also the origin of the holy river of Bagmati. There are several Hindu and Buddhist statues … Baghdwar hiking
Hiking in Chobhar
The small pictures que village of Chobhar over looking the Bagmati River is just a kilometer beyond Kirtipur. The Chobhar Gorge below is the greater attraction. There is the 17th-century temple of Jal Vinayak ,an important pilgrimage site for the valley residents. Hiking in Chobhar
Pataleban Hiking
Pataleban Hiking is a short hiking near to Kathmandu. You can also find Pataleban Vineyard Resort there.
Phulchowki Hiking
Phulchowki is located towards the south of the kathmandu valley with a height of 2,800 m and 36 km away from the city. The hike to Phulchowki starts from Godavari. The start of the hike greets you with a greenery and you ascend up to reach the hilltop. At the top you will have a great view of Kathmandu valley. Phulchowki is also well known among city dwellers for a quick way to enjoy the snowfall during the winter.
Champadevi Hiking
The hike to Champadevi is a thrilling and unbelievable experience with a great opportunity to experience nature and culture. This 1 day hiking route is near by Kathmandu and it is also a easy hiking. You can start your hike from Pharping, alk through pine forest and with 2-3 hours you’ll reach at the top of Champadevi hill. You’ll find Champa devi temple there. The top of Champadevi will offer you an stunning view of Kathmandu valley. During clear season you can also view different snow capped mountains. You may need to carry lunch, water by yourself as you may not find at the top. The best time for this hike would be during September through October for great view of mountain.
Kakani Hiking
Kakani is another good tourist destination for its breathtaking mountain scenery in northern part of Kathmandu in Nuwakot district. It is 29 km. away from Kathmandu city also popular for it’s strawberries production. The elevation is about 2100 m. from the sea level where one can see the mountain landscape of the central and western Nepal, a vast collection of majestic peaks stretching from Ganesh Himal to the peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. There is a century old summer villa used by the British Embassy a long ago. It is a popular for a short hike.
Kakani Shivapuri trekking in Nepal is a very short and pleasant trip as part of around Kathmandu valley trek suitable for busy professionals who do not have sufficient time for a long trekking. Kakani Shivapuri treks which can be completed within a short period of time is undertaken mostly within Nepal’s youngest Shivapuri National Park. During the Kakani Shivapuri trek, the visitor can observe beautiful landscape and great views of over 30 snowy peaks. Additionally, trekking around Kathmandu valley with Kakani Shivapuri trekking itinerary offers other attractions of wilderness, great views of Kathmandu, river valley, small villages and agriculture fields. The narrow mountain paths take you through dense forests and quaint villages. Hiking in Kakani
Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hiking
Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hiking is best to get excellence views of nature which is considered to be the best. Nagarkot is popular for the sunrise view, situated about 35 km east of Kathmandu. People choose this trip to see the panoramic views of the Himalaya, Dhaulagiri and Kanchenjunga. There is a view tower to get a 360 degrees view.
Dhulikhel is an old Newa (Newari) town about 35 km away from Kathmandu. It has been an important trading center on the ancient commercial route between Nepal and Tibet. Nepalese people used to travel to bring salt and gold from Tibet. Tibetian used to purchase chilies and other daily necessities in Nepal. Hiking in Nagarkot
Namobuddha Panauti
Namobuddha is one of the most popular Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. It is 40 km away from Kathmandu at an elevation of 1,750 m that marks the site where a prince found a tigress close to starvation and unable to fed her own cubs. Overcome with compassion, the prince allowed the tigress to eat his flesh and there you’ll find the statue of the prince together with the tigress and her cubs.
Panauti it is rich with Newa culture renowned for its religious sites. You can start this hike from Dhulikhel with great view of mountains, paddy fields and through Tamang villages. You have to hike about three hours to get to the Namobuddha where you can enjoy the peaceful environment of a monastery. Hiking in Namo Buddha
Hiking in Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is well-known tourist destination nearby Kathmandu which is still following Newa culture and tradition typically.It is situated in the central part of Nepal. This is just 32 km from the Kathmandu valley. The main attractions of Dhulikhel are the grand and panoramic mountains views, numerous temples, and different types of landscape and a diversity of people. Hiking in Dhulikhel
Daman Hiking
Daman is in Makwanpur District, at an elevation of 2,320 meters. It is a small village and also a tourist attraction. This place is also popular among Nepalese in Kathmandu, about 100 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. It is popular for views of the Himalayas from Mount Everest in the east and Dhaulagiri in the west.
Sarangkot Hiking
Sarangkot is located at an altitude of 1592 m, on a clear day you can enjoy view of the spectacular peaks of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri. There is paragliding for adventure lovers, an hour long paragliding from Sarangkot hill. It is a mixture of adventure with the magnificent views of the mountains and Pokhara valley. Hiking in Sarangkot
Bandipur Hiking
Located about 1050 m from the sea level, Bandipur is once a prosperous trading center in Tanahu District, Nepal. It is about 85 km away from east of Pokhara and northwest about 145 km away from Kathmandu. There is a small hilltop Newa (Newari) settlement which has been declared as a Municipality in 2014. Bandipur provides a spectacular panorama view of the Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Langtang and Manaslu. It is also rich in history, architecture and Newa culture of the Kathmandu valley.
