Kathmandu Valley is home to three different districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The Kathmandu valley provides short hiking experiences, views of the valley below, Himalayan mountains to the north. If you have time in the capital city and are looking for a short and easy hike, we have compiled the 5 Best hikes in the Kathmandu Valley.
The five hikes around Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur offer spectacular views of the giant Himalayas along with a 360 degree view of the Kathmandu Valley. The hiking spots around the valley provide tourists with an opportunity to break out of the rustling and bustling of the city to a slower and more relaxed cultural experience. The hiking trails weave through lush forests and engulfs the visitor into its natural beauties.
The sub-alpine forests and quiet countryside make for a great short break from the pollution of the city. One can also experience the settlements of people and view the lifestyle of people living around the countryside.
Before we dive into the best hikes in Kathmandu, let’s take a look at the quick facts for each hike.
Quick Facts: The Best Hikes Around Kathmandu Valley:
These five hikes are relatively easy and attainable by any skill level hiker. They are all close to the main cities and can be reached by public transportation or taxi easily. The details of the five best hikes in the Kathmandu Valley can be seen in the table below:
| Hike | Duration | Max Altitude | Best Season | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shivapuri Peak Hike | 6/7 Hours | 2,732m | Sep – JanMarch – August | Beginner – 2/5 difficulty |
| Champadevi Hike | 6-9 hours | 2,278m | Sep – NovemberMarch – May | Advanced – 4/5 difficulty |
| Nagarkot to Dhulikhel Hike | 5-6 hours | 2300m | Four seasons(Except Monsoon) | Beginner – 2/5 difficulty |
| Chandragiri Hike | 6-7 hours | 2729m | Four seasons(Except Monsoon) | Beginner – 2/5 difficulty |
| Suryabinayak to Lakuri Bhanjyang Hike | 6-7 hours | 2100m | Four seasons(Except Monsoon) | Moderate – 3/5 difficulty |
The 5 Best Hikes Around the Kathmandu Valley:
1. Shivapuri Peak Hike:
This hike is one of the most famous hikes in Kathmandu Valley. Shivapuri Peak Hike goes through the lush green forest around the altitudes of 2563m. Shivapuri hike provides spectacular views of the Langtang Himalayas, wonderful nature, and birds eye view of the Kathmandu Valley.
2. Champadevi Hike:
Champadevi Hill is situated at an elevation of 2,278m and is the third highest hill around Kathmandu Valley. The hike is considered as one of the more strenuous hikes in comparison to the other hikes around the Kathmandu Valley.
This is the hardest hike on our roundup. So make sure you are prepared, and wearing the right hiking gear! This includes good boots for hiking as the trail can get difficult at times. If you need new boots, or looking for budget boots, you can check out my following blogs:
- How to Guide to choosing the right hiking boot
- 5 Best hiking boots under $100
- 3 Best hiking boots for men with flat feet
3. Nagarkot to Dhulikhel Hike:
Two of the most popular destinations around Kathmandu are Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. Which makes this one of the more popular hikes available around the Kathmandu Valley. The hill station is famous for providing hikers with majestic mountain panorama views during clear days. Standing at an elevation of 2,300 meters, Nagarkot serves as one of the best hiking spots in Bhaktapur.
Curious about the elevation of other parts of the country? Then make sure to check out my blog about the elevation in Kathmandu and other major cities in Nepal.
4. Chandragiri Hike:
Chandragiri is situated at an elevation of 2551m and offers spectacular panorama views of Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Dorje Lakpa and Gaurishankar Mountain Range. Making it one of the best hikes to get a glimpse of the mountain ranges in the valley. Additionally, there is a Chandragiri cable car that can take you to the summit or back down to the valley floor of Kathmandu if you get tired!
Love riding on cable cars? You can check out the Annapurna Cable car in Pokhara, or have a look at our complete guide of the history of cable cars in Nepal!
You can also visit the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple which will fulfill all your wishes if you pay your respect to the hilltop temple. The temple has religious significance as it has been built in the exact location where the forehead of Satidevi fell. Whereas, after Shiva was insulted by the gods, Satidevi gave up her life by jumping in a fire pyre. Enraged, Shiva carried her decaying body around the world, all while various parts of her body fell to earth.
Make sure to check out this famous temple so you can take in the burning incense, the chiming bells, and the magnificent views of the mountains.
5. Suryabinayak to Lakuri Bhanjyang Hike:
Another popular hike around the Kathmandu Valley (to the locals that know about it!) which provides the splendid view of the Kathmandu Valley along with the wonderful views of Himalayas. Additionally, Lakuri Bhanjyang is a serene village on the south-eastern borders of Kathmandu Valley and is a newly recognized trail and is less crowded than others.
Let’s Hike! The 5 Best Hikes Around the Kathmandu Valley!
Nepal has plenty to offer in terms of natural beauty. However, we often forget about it when we get caught up in the busy city of Kathmandu. If you find yourself needing fresh air in the capital city of Nepal, look to break away at one of the five hikes covered above!
With each of them offering fresh air and access to a slower life, they will certainly provide a relaxing experience and an opportunity to reset your mind and soul! Have a look and see which one interests you the most!
If you are looking for some more hiking and trekking fun while traveling Nepal, have a look at these other guides: