by Jayaram Thapaliya
Best short hikes around kathmandu valley
A short day hike is an excellent way to escape the hustle and bustle of the Kathmandu Valley and explore nature. There are several hill stations below 3,000 meters in Kathmandu that are very popular for short hike. Most of these locations offer stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayas.
In addition to sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley, there are several remarkable hiking trails around Kathmandu City. All of these trails are ideal for day hikes. You can combine the Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour with day hikes near the city. Since Kathmandu is surrounded by beautiful hills, you can explore the peaks with a 4 to 5-hour walk, which offers stunning views of both the mountains and the city.
In this post, I will highlight the best short hikes around Kathmandu. All of the hikes mentioned can be completed in a single day and are suitable for both children and senior citizens.
Best short hikes around the Kathmandu Valley that you must try out in 2026
They are as follows:
1. Nagarkot Hike
We can get to Nagarkot by hiking. To start this hike we will drive to Sankhu from Kathmandu(22km). Sankhu is a Newari village where you can taste the Newari Culture. We reach Nagarkot by walking around 11 kilometers from Sankhu. From Nagarkot view tower, we will see Kanchenjunga, Everest, Manaslu, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and so forth.
| Trails Name | Nagarkot Hike |
| Maximum Elevation | 2175 meter |
| Starts from | Sankhu |
| End in | Nagarkot |
| Hiking Hours | 3 to 4hours |
2. Shivapuri Hike
Shivapuri Hill is the second highest hill near the Kathmandu Valley and is popular for one-day hikes. Budhanilkantha Temple, the largest stone statue of Vishnu in Nepal, is the starting point of the Shivapuri Hike. It’s easy to get to the starting point because it just takes around a 20-minute drive to get to Budhanilkantha Temple from Thamel. This hike goes through Shivapuri National Park, a lush wilderness teeming with diverse flora and fauna. On the top of Shivapuri Hill, Nagi Gompa, a serene Buddhist monastery, is situated at an altitude of 2330 meters.
| Trails Name | Shivapuri Hike |
| Maximum Elevation | 2560 m |
| Starts from | Budhanilkantha |
| End in | Shivapuri |
| Hiking Hours | 5 to 6 hours |
3. Chisapani Hike
Chisapani Hike is one of the remarkable hikes near the Kathmandu Valley. It will take 4-5 hours to hike from Shivapuri to Chisapani.
From Chisapani you will get the best views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, and Jugal Himal.
| Trails Name | Chisapani Hike |
| Maximum Elevation | 2,215m |
| Starts from | Shivapuri |
| End in | Chisapani |
| Hiking Hours | 4-5 hours |
4. Champadevi Hike
Located in the southwestern part of Kathmandu valley, Champadevi Hiking is considered an easy hike near Kathmandu.
We will start this hike from Pharping Village and ascend around 2-3 hours to get to Champadevi Hills.
On the Champadevi Hills, you will see a Buddhist stupa and a Hindu shrine at the top. From Champadei hills, you will get beautiful views of Langtang Himal, Dorge Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, Jugal Himal, and so forth mountains.
| Trails Name | Champadevi Hike |
| Maximum Elevation | 2278 |
| Starts from | Pharping |
| End in | Kirtipur |
| Hiking Hours | 5-6 hours |
5. Phulchowki Hike
Considered the highest hill near Kathmandu, the Phulchowki hike is one of the remarkable short day hikes on the list of days hikes trail around Kathmandu.
To get there you need to drive to Godawari (14 km south of Kathmandu), from where you can start the hike. Indeed, the Godavari is rich in vegetation. You can see a botanical garden at the Godavari.
Upon crossing 14km south of Kathmandu, you will get a hiking starting point of Phulchoki.On this hike, you will walk through sub-tropical thick forests filled where you will see rhododendrons and oak trees.
From Phulchoki Hill, you have an amazing view of the Kathmandu valley and on Annapurna range, and Gaurishankar( if the weather permits). In winter, it gets snowfall every year.
| Trails Name | Phulchowki Hike |
| Maximum Elevation | 2,782m |
| Starts from | Godavari |
| End in | Kirtipur |
| Hiking Hours | 7 hours |
Bottomline (Best Short Hikes near Kathmandu Valley)
If you don’t have time for trekking in the Himalayas, consider going for a day hike in Kathmandu. Hiking around Kathmandu is a fantastic way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day. Unlike trekking in the Himalayas, hiking in this area is very budget-friendly.
Though DAY HIKING is one day trip, it provides refreshment to the tourist. It is not like trekking in the Himalayas but provides a short trekking experience. In fact, most of the hiking spots around the valley are accessible within a couple of hours’ drive from Kathmandu. Keep in mind, day Hike in Kathmandu valley are totally customizable. We can make an itinerary of day hikes adding your preferences. Hiking throughout the sub-alpine forests and quiet countryside make relief from noisy and busy city areas.
All of the hikes mentioned below can be done within a day and are fit for children and senior citizen. If you wondering to get the right spot for a Day hiking experience, Contact us. We will make your amazing day hiking experience in Kathmandu, Nepal with the best prices.
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