Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is the place that connects Nepal to the World. Thanks to the lone airport of the country resided in Kathmandu for welcoming people across the World. Tourists in thousands of numbers come every year to do various exciting activities in the country.
Keeping all other activities aside, Nepal is known for its incredible, picturesque, adventurous, and trekking trails. However, you do not have to run far to find a trekking trail in Nepal. There are lots of best hikes near Kathmandu only.
Yes, as soon as you land in Kathmandu, you can join one of the best hikes near Kathmandu. As you may know, the city is surrounded by lots of high hills full of lush scenery. In fact, those hills are not too far to reach, just a couple of hours ride or drive from the city. A trail walker of any experience can do these sorts of hikes. Actually, these hiking trails can be the grounds to prepare for the high altitude and much longer treks of Nepal.
Meanwhile, most people doing these hikes near Kathmandu are either short of time to do longer treks or not experienced enough. If you have similar circumstances, there are numerous best hikes near Kathmandu. Barely touching high altitude, these kinds of walks are great ways to get lost to the nature of Nepal without taking much risk, time, and energy.
In addition, a hiker in any of the hikes around Kathmandu gets enough mountain and landscape views of the surrounding area. It is the simplest and fastest approach to experience, to know what it is like to trek in Nepal.
We know you are pretty interested in being on one of the best hikes near Kathmandu. That is why we have posted the seven best hiking trails near the city for your information:
Seven Best Hikes near Kathmandu
Nagarkot Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Distance: 10.9Km
Highest Point: 2,195m
Hiking Duration: 4 hours
Nagarkot is a must-visit hill station near Kathmandu. Located at an altitude of around 2,000m, this place is known for its legendary mountain panorama. Lots of people in Kathmandu are always in the quest of Nagarkot. The location is quite near to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, only 32Km east. Usually, people reach the top of this hill station via vehicles, but hiking is a great plan too.
The Nagarkot hike starts little outside of Kathmandu, from Sankhu-The famous Newari town. One hour of the drive has to be done to reach Sankhu to get Nagarkot Hike started. As it starts from Sankhu, you will begin this hike by exploring the ancient temples dotted in the town. Then the walk will go through the pine and fir forests. The four hours long hike will come to its end upon reaching the hill station. Just like every Nagarkot hiker, you will be bestowed with breathtaking views of mountains like Everest, Manaslu, Langtang, and numerous others. The hike becomes truly an offering and worthy one as you leave Nagarkot.
Nagarkot Hike is one of the best hikes near Kathmandu for some apparent reasons. It is short in duration, as the hike can be completed within a day by hikers. But you always have an option to lengthen. Moreover, this hike offers the supreme mountain views that no other near Kathmandu walks can offer. And a hiker will explore something more than just mountains and nature; we mean a unique Newari culture in Sankhu.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Sankhu
Drive Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Phase 2: Hike from Sankhu to Nagarkot
Hike Duration: 4 hours
Phase 3: Enjoy being at the hill station and drive back to Kathmandu
Drive Duration: 2 hours
Cost
The cost of Nagarkot Hike is USD 60 to USD 120 per pax.
Chisapani Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Distance: 9.8Km
Highest Point: 2,194m
Hiking Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Chisapani, which means Coldwater, is another go-to place for hiking around Kathmandu. This is yet another famous hill station that is situated some 30Km north of the capital of Nepal. Chisapani(2,194m) gives a stunning vision of lush hills, broad valleys, and snowy mountains. A hike to Chisapani from Kathmandu goes through the woods of Shivapuri National Park too. That is why it is one of the most happening hikes near the Kathmandu Valley.
The Chisapani Hike begins after reaching Sundarijal, a popular spot for a day outing in Kathmandu. The hike starts by exploring Sundarijal, where there are numerous fresh waterfalls by the woods. Then the walk begins and goes through the lush vegetation of Shivapuri National Park, the closest national park to Kathmandu. Filled with loaded flora and fauna, this protected site is a must-visit place near Kathmandu. One who chooses to hike to Chisapani gets to experience the richness of the park. After 4 to 5 hours of an uphill hike, one will reach the top of Chisapani Hill and get the sparkling views of the surrounding hills and far lying spectacular peaks of the Langtang region.
Chisapani Hike is an easy walk that gets completed within a day. However, you can make it long by adding Nagarkot to the itinerary. In that plan, you will trek to Nagarkot from Chisapani in two days of hiking. Well, that is another plan, if you like it then only think of it. Otherwise, Chisapani Hike is enough to give you the pleasure of a nature hike with lots of scenic views.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal
Drive Duration: 30 minutes
Phase 2: Hike from Sundarijal to Chisapani
Hike Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Phase 3: Enjoy being at the hill station and descend back to Sundarijal and then drive back to Kathmandu
Cost
The cost of Chisapani Hike is USD 90 to USD 120 per pax.
Panauti to Namo Buddha Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Distance: 14.1Km
Highest Point: 1,940m
Hiking Duration: 4 to 5 hours
The name says it all, Panauti to Namobuddha Hike is a hike from a historic town, Panauti, to the hillock with a monastery, Namobuddha. Panauti to Namobuddha is one of the most frequented hikes around Kathmandu, and it’s totally worthwhile. It is a hike to cover the areas from Panauti(1,504m) to Namobuddha(1,940m). One has to reach Panauti, the historical and UNESCO-listed town, from Kathmandu by driving 34km to start this hike. After the complete exploration of the city, the walk moves towards Namobuddha, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
It is the best hike for some good reasons. The 4 to 5 hours of walk touches everything from terrace fields, historic temples, greenery sides to the breathtaking hill station of an ancient monastery. Panauti in itself is an excellent place to start a beautiful day. Dotted with loads of temples from the past, the town is the place to be for every heritage lover. Panauti to Namobuddha route gives a close view of traditional Nepali villages and life around them. One will get to enjoy the easy hike via the farm fields full of crops of the locals.
And Namobuddha that houses Thrangu Tashi Monastery is an unbeatable place to call it a day. Along with the golden view of the ancient monastery, a person can get awe-inspiring pictures of landscapes of hills and mountains from the top. Someone choosing Panauti to Namobuddha Hike will have a lot to tell at the end of the day.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Panauti
Drive Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Phase 2: Hike from Panauti to Namobuddha
Hike Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Phase 3: Enjoy being at the hill station and drive back to Kathmandu via Araniko Highway
Drive Hours: 1 hour 40 minutes
Cost
The cost of Panauti to Namo Buddha Hike is around USD 80 to USD 160 per pax.
Champadevi Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Distance: 12.9Km
Highest Point: 2,280m
Hiking Duration: 4 to 5 hours
In the list of the best hikes near Kathmandu, Champadevi Hike cannot be left out. It is a hike in the corner of the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu over the hill called Champadevi. The hill is known for its luscious hiking trail and views of the nearby hills, Kathmandu valley, and mountains. Once you reach the ultimate place of the hike, Champadevi Hill(2,280m), you will enjoy the rewarding view. But the hiking time is equally exciting as you have to go via woods.
Champadevi Hike is one of the most frequented hikes near Kathmandu. It is just a top place to breathe fresh air and hike. If you are in Kathmandu and tired of living in the city’s atmosphere, Champadevi is a quick escape. The hike is not a problem even if you have not done such hikes before; it’s pretty easy. You will reach the pinpoint of the hike to watch the fascinating views of the mountains like Langtang, Everest, Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, etc.
It is the right pick for those who are longing for the hillside hike but cannot afford a long trek due to time constraints. They will experience the walks through the green hills to get glimpses of Nepal’s landscapes. All you will need a free day in Kathmandu and a couple of friends who like hiking. The hike’s starting point is quite near to the city that you will start the trek right away.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Hattiban
Drive Duration: 30 minutes
Phase 2: Hike from Hattiban to Champadevi Hill
Hike Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Phase 3: Enjoy being at the hill station and retrace the same route back to Kathmandu
Cost
The cost of Champadevi Hike is around USD 60 to USD 100 per pax.
Shivapuri Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Distance: 20.5Km
Highest Point: 2,280m
Hiking Duration: 5 to 8 hours
Shivapuri Hike, better known as Shivapuri Peak Hike, is another hiking stop near Kathmandu. It is a hike to reach the Shivapuri Peak(2,732m) all through the denseness of the Shivapuri National Park. The park is home to various birds, animals, and vegetation. Shivapuri side is among the closest destinations to explore the wilderness of Nepal for tourists arriving in Nepal.
Visitors can do lots of hiking, but they can attend bird watching and cycling while in the park as well. This hike to explore Shivapuri National Park gets underway from the entrance of the park situated at Budhanilkantha. From there, it is a hike of at least 3 to 4 hours combined of the uphill and downhill trail. Walking amidst the trees of the protected site, one reaches the top of the hill and relaxes with the view of lush hills and whitish mountains. En route to the top, one will pass via a binding site, Nagi Gompa, where you can rest a while paying a visit to it. From the top, mountains across the various ranges like Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang seem so near yet so far.
Just one sunny day is all it takes to happen. However, it is among the demanding day hikes. It goes up to 2,732m of altitude, and to attend this; you will require some real steep hike. If you have a whole to spare, this hike can be a great option. Yes, it is a little bit challenging than the rest of the walks, but it is worth doing.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Budhanilkantha
Drive Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
Phase 2: Hike from Budhanilkantha to Shivapuri Hill
Hike Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Phase 3: Descend down to Sundarijal and drive back to Kathmandu
Hike Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Drive Duration: 45 minutes
Cost
The cost of Shivapuri Hike is around USD 60 to USD 120 per pax.
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Phulchowki Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Distance: 26.1Km
Highest Point: 2,280m
Hiking Duration: 5 to 8 hours
Phulchowki which means “Hill of Flowers” in Nepali is the tallest hill near Kathmandu. And it is the prominent hiking destination for both local and foreign hikers all year round. This hill of flowers is truly a hill of flowers dotted with Rhododendron trees. During spring, the place gets covered with red blooming rhododendron; hence, it got that name. Located only 14 Km south of Kathmandu, Phulchowki Hike is the nearest hike of all.
The hike starts from the Godavari, which homes the popular picnic stop of the city, Godavari Botanical Garden. Then it gradually takes upwards to go deeper and deeper into the woods. Along the hiking trail, one gets to see loads of vegetation and birds chirping around. It will be a hike of 4 to 5 hours that goes only upwards. As you reach the top, you will see the best landscape view in a long while. On a clear day, one can get views of Annapurna, Langtang, Gauri Shankar, and other peaks. All of that makes it a great hiking place near the outskirts of Kathmandu.
Being the easiest and shortest hike to do, the Phulchowki hike is an option for all ages. The walk is possible to do all season but Spring is the best time to find the true colors of the Phulchowki Hill.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Godavari
Drive Duration: 40 minutes
Phase 2: Hike from Godavari to Phulchowki Hill
Hike Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Phase 3: Descend down through the same route and drive back to Kathmandu
Cost
The cost of the Phulchowki Hike is around USD 60 to USD 100 per pax.
Nagarjuna Hike
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Highest Point: 2,128m
Hiking Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Last but not least, Nagarjuna is one more hiking trail located near the capital. This hike is all about reaching the top of Jamacho Peak(2,128m), which also homes the famous Jamacho Monastery. The view of the Kathmandu Valley and near mountains from there is something else. Located quite near to Kathmandu, Nagarjuna Hike is for people with limited time. It gets done within the daytime.
The hike takes you through the forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to the Jamachoo pinpoint. You will enjoy the walk surely as you will see wide ranges of vegetation around. The hike will be 4 to 5 hours long that goes mostly uphill. However, the trail is not that steep; you can have a relaxing hiking time here. The hike gets completed one way after reaching the Jamcho Monastery(Nagarjuna Hill). If all the clouds are away, you can sit back and enjoy glimpses of peaks from various popular mountain ranges. Moreover, the sight of dotted Kathmandu Valley gets the most notice as it looks incredible.
Yeah, Nagarjuna Hike is a quick escape to enjoy nature at its best. Alongside nature, you will explore the Jamacho Monastery, which has lots of blessings to offer its visitors. Just plan this hike schedule anytime other than Monsoon to have a pleasant hike.
Outlined Route
Phase 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Fulbari
Drive Duration: 30 minutes
Phase 2: Hike from Fulbari to Nagarjuna(Jamcho) Peak
Hike Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Phase 3: Descend down through the same route and drive back to Kathmandu
Cost
The cost of the Nagarjuna Hike is around USD 60 to USD 100 per pax.
Best Time for Hikes near Kathmandu
Talking about the best time for hiking near Kathmandu, there is no specific time when it comes to day hiking. The day hikes are only one day long, and all it requires is one good day. For that reason, day hikes are possible all year round.
Nevertheless, the most suitable times are Autumn and Spring. September, October, November, and December, which are months of the Autumn season, are the feasible time for day hikes in Nepal. Throughout those months, the weather remains stable and allows a clear, bright, and sunny day. You get what you need for hiking in Autumn. Don’t forget that Spring is a season of flowers.
Likewise, March, April, May, the three months of Spring are also great times for outing day hikes. The weather is a little bit chilly due to the post-winter season in Spring, but that does not affect much. Except that everything is just fine to plan a day hiking around Kathmandu Valley. Make sure you pick a hike that offers enough mountain views. A typical Spring day in the Himalayas is full of snow-clad mountain views.
Yet, you can do day hiking near Kathmandu during the winter months. There are no or few snowfalls only in the three months of Winter. The temperature is also bearable enough around the valley. That is why you can do any of the hikes that lie near Kathmandu during this season.
However, the Monsoon creates problems for day hikers all across Nepal. The weather is unstable throughout the season. Rainfall occurs all too often, and mountains are mainly behind the clouds in Monsoon. The trail tends to remain slippery and muddy too. As of all the conditions, Monsoon is not a suitable time for short hikes.
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At Last
Lastly, there are lots of best hikes near Kathmandu, you surely know now after reading this blog. All of those hiking options are worth doing and equally exciting. You do not need any preparation or physical status to do these sorts of hikes. All they require is a warm and clear day. For that also, the days of Autumn, Spring, and Winter are there to choose from. All you need at the last point is little guidance from the local side, and we can be that for you.
If you want assistance from our side by arranging the day hike for you, we can do that. Just inform us, Great Adventure Treks, will help you do any of the best hikes near Kathmandu. We are excited to welcome you!
