Best Short Hikes Around Kathmandu Valley

Besides Kathmandu Valley city sightseeing, there are also remarkable hiking trails around Kathmandu City. All the avialable trails are best to do 1 DAY HIKE. You can do the Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour along with Day hikes near the city. As Kathmandu city is surrounded by beautiful hills, we can explore top of hills by 4 to 5 hours walking and it offers mountain views as well as city views.

If you don’t have time to do trekking in the Himalayas, you can do short, 1 day hiking in Kathmandu. Hiking around Kathmandu is the best way to have a break for 1 day from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu city.

Unlike trekking in the Himalayas, hiking around Kathmandu is very budget-friendly. In the post, I am going to highlight some popular hiking spot that lies in Kathmandu. All of the hikes mentioned here can be done in a single day. Nonetheless, it is suitable for children and aged people.

A short day hike is an ultimate way to get a refresh with nature exploration by leaving the hustle and bustle of the Kathmandu Valley. There are some hill stations that are below 3000m and immensely popular for hiking. Most of these hill stations provide beautiful views of the snow-capped Himalayas.

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 packages are totally customizable. We can make an itinerary of day hikes adding your preferences.

Hiking throughout the subalpine forests and quiet countryside make relief from noisy and busy city areas. Most of the hikes mentioned below can be done within a day and are fit for children and older people.

Best Short Hikes Around Kathmandu Valley That You Must Try Out in 2022

They are as follows:

  1. Nagarkot Hike
  2. Shivapuri Hike
  3. Chisapani Hike
  4. Champadevi Hike
  5. Pulchoki Hike

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
Starts from Sankhu
End in Nagarkot
Hiking Hours 3-4hours

2. Shivapuri Hike

The Shivapuri is the 2nd highest hill near the Kathmandu Valley and is popular for one-day hikes. Budhanilkantha temple is the starting point of Shivapuri Hike. It is easy to get to the starting point of the Shivapuri hike because it just takes around a 20-minute drive to get to Budhanilkantha temple from Thamel. This hike goes through Shivapuri National Park. On the top of Shivapuri hill, Nagi Gumpa is situated at an altitude of 2330 m.

Trails Name Shivapuri Hike
Maximum Elevation 2560 m
Starts from Budhanilkantha
End in Shivapuri
Hiking Hours 5-6 hours

3. Chisapani Hike

Chisapani Nagarkot Trek
View from 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)

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.

As day Hiking is cheap, easy and 1 Days activity, certainly you will get an outdoor experience like trekking.

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.

Message Us today to get more information: +977 984 971 7725

About Author

JayaramJayaram Thapaliya, an executive director at BASE CAMP HIKE. He has trekked to mostly places in Nepal. He has been to Annapurna Circuit more than 10 times. Jayaram is the one who is ready to help you to make wonderful trip in Nepal.

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