Kathmandu has earned the tag of being a busy and crowded place, leaving no room for breathing deeply amongst its bang and clangour. However, if you happen to belong to this sector, we would divert you from the truth.
Indeed, Kathmandu is one of the most populated cities in Nepal, but a walk through the capital leads you to places where the rich natural beauty of landscapes beckons.
People very soon get bored of city life and want to escape into nature’s arms. This passion for escaping gets addictive and compels people to take up hiking around the hills surrounding Kathmandu. These are those last celebrations that will create memories-filled adventure experiences in your mind.
No matter whether you are an old hand at hiking or a travel geek, hills and forests have their own exciting stories to tell. And health benefits of hiking must not be said as well. We will bet on it that you will be putting on your hiking shoes, and beginning your expedition once knowing some great destination. And the best part? They won’t strain your budget.
1. Jagadol-Tarebhir Hike
The Jagadol Tarebhir hike is one of the excellent shorter hikes you will want to do while escaping from the frenzy of Kathmandu. The difficulty is moderate while the scenery provides a clear and perfect view of Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding hills. Well-marked and relatively easy, the trail works for beginners and experienced trekkers alike.
Typically, the hike from here lasts around 3-5 hours, depending on how quickly you go. You come across a forest, temple, and house along the way. Tarebhir view top gives a panorama view of the whole Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan range.
How difficult is this hike?
It is a trail of moderate difficulty, thus it is open to patrons with any climbing experience. A few of the ascents are steep, but travelling them at leisurely paces makes them quite manageable.
How to reach Jagadol?
You can opt for a private vehicle to drive from Kathmandu to Jagdol. It is quite an easy option, especially for a bigger number of people. Although public buses are cheaper, they do take a lot longer and are not as comfortable.
Once you reach Jagdol, you will be setting out on a very beautiful hike to Tarebhir. The trail is well-travelled and reveals much of the beautiful view of the Kathmandu Valley.
Unique Features
Among the inevitable pride of this hike is the Krishna Mandir. This beautiful temple takes one to the spiritual side, closer to nature.
Then you enter Shivapuri National Park, a biodiversity hotspot with a variety of flora and fauna.
Please do not forget to take your camera because this national park can give you some of the best Instagram views of Kathmandu Valley.
Fun Fact: Although it’s a hiker’s haven, Shivapuri National Park also has much to offer as an important watershed area providing Kathmandu with much of its drinking water.
Is there an entry fee?
This hike sits very close to the Shivapuri National Park enabling you to do this hiking in beautiful woods for an amount of zero fees. This hike is entirely free.
2. Balthali Hike
Balthali is one charming small village in Kavrepalanchowk, southeast of Kathmandu. Its rich rural culture is still intact, therefore, holding the authentic lifestyle of its local inhabitants in great esteem. Terraced farms, ancient temples, and old houses are among the greatest treasures that bring travelers into a fascination with this village.
The best time for this hike will be around September and October when the monsoon has just finished, so the weather is clear and the trails are a little muddy. You will enjoy rice paddy farming on terrace land and the landscape turning lush green again after the monsoon.
How to commence this hike?
From Kathmandu, you take a drive to Namobuddha, which is about 40 km from Kathmandu, and start your hike to the Balthali village where you are going to stay overnight.
In the morning there is a short walk down to Khopasi, where your vehicle takes you back (but you also have an option to hike up to Panauti). After spending some time at Panauti to witness the local Newari culture, you drive back to your Kathmandu Hotel.
What’s so unique about this hike?
The hiking trail is adjacent to the ancient shrines of Ladkeshor Mahadev, endowed with the maximum importance in the culture. A pause there reflects and puts a little prayer with the locals.
The trek brings the traveller into the cultural depths of the region as it goes through several traditional villages. Also, you can get the chance to talk with the locals and learn something about their way of life.
Entry fee
The climb up Balthali is basically free with no specific fees to access the trails of exploration. However, there might be some nominal charges at certain religious sites or tourist attractions that you meet while traversing the trails.
Fun Fact: As of today the Ladkeshor Mahadev temple has been around for centuries. Nagarkot is one of the major pilgrimage places, especially on the occasion of Shivaratri.
3. Chandragiri-Chitlang Hiking
This also leads you through many settlement places, forests, and temples making the experience unforgettable. Chitlang is just 28.6 km far from Kathmandu and is one of the most enjoyable and prime tourist escapes with the breathtaking sight of some hills and landscapes. On clear days, the hill town offers you a glimpse of many mountains including Everest.
The hike between Chandragiri and Chitlang combines the two worlds. The trek begins with a visit to the ancient temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev who worships Lord Shiva. People believe that the temple emerged after Sati (Shiva’s wife’s) head fell there after her death. Snow during winter attracts lots of visitors and devotees.
This hiking trail could cover all the beautiful but natural and spiritual aspects of Nepal within a day. The trek covers a distance of nearly 10.5 kilometers which can be completed within 4-6 hours on average. The journey is equally beautiful as the hike takes you through beautiful natural scenes of Chitlang.
Are there any charges for hikers?
The hike from Chandragiri-Chitlang is fee-free for all hikers.
4. Budhanilkantha Bagdwar Hike
This is yet another uphill task which, however, is fun and challenging; it stretches for 18 km and is from Budhanilkantha to Bagdwar and takes about seven to nine hours to cover. This is a very nice full-day hike.
It is the Budhanilkantha-Shivapuri-Bagdwar trail, an amalgamation of nature and spirituality. Within Shivapuri National Park, you would again enjoy the park’s riches. Bagdwar, the originating point of the holy Bagmati River, is the final stop on the way. The river has significant religious importance.
What’s unique about this hike?
Budhanilkantha-Bagdwar hiking, people will agree, is known for being one of the arduous hikes that give a value-for-money experience. Combined with steep gradient runs through dense forest and associated with sacred sites, it is soul-satisfying for an adventurous trekker.
This route is so exceptional, enabling one to really delve into nature and the spiritual essence of Nepal.
Fun Fact: Did You Know? The auspicious Bagmati River is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, and it is the scene of many a religious ceremony being performed by its priests.
How much entry fee is required?
Nepali citizens need to pay Rs. 100 while any foreign national must pay Rs. 1000 as an entry fee.
5. Namobuddha Hiking
Namobuddha Hiking is a one-day hike to the Monastery of Namobuddha, which again is one of the historical sites for pilgrimage for Buddhists, located on top of a hill just outside Panauti. The route from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha is all uphill but not that tough.
This walk takes the participants on a beautiful serpentine path past wonderful terraced fields, into minute villages, and back out and amongst these wonderful thick forests. The hike takes around seven hours to complete but the views from the hilltops are breathtaking and you won’t know how time went by.
The highlight of this hike
The main significance of this hike is reaching the Namo Buddha stupa on a hilltop. Legend has it that the stupa was built on this spot because Lord Buddha sacrificed his own body, in one of his previous births, to save the life of a starving tigress and her cubs.
It has some spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges and the valley below, a nice experience for trekkers seeking some moderate yet fulfilling hiking along with the culture and beauty of high nature.
How to reach Namobuddha?
From Kathmandu, you can use your private vehicle or public bus to Dhulikhel or Nagarkot.
From there you can start hiking. Remember that both trails are unique in their way and offer stunning views and great experiences.
Entry Fees
No entry has been mentioned yet regarding the Namobuddha hike. You can hike here free of cost, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and a peaceful environment with no charges at all.
6. Champadevi Hill
Champadevi is the famous best-short hiking spot lying just on the southern edge of the Kathmandu valley. Hiking starts from Pharping, which motors up to Champadevi Peak. The track makes it through such tranquilized forests and traditional villages; it offers periscopic views of the valleys of Kathmandu. It’s a six-hour hike.
Why is this hike special?
Trekking majorly offers terrific Himalayan views, including Mount Everest, and encompasses the whole Kathmandu Valley. It provides the opportunity to experience the bright, varied flora and interesting fauna of the place-from many bird species to barking deer and wild boar.
Champadevi Hiking is perfect for people searching for a dose of mediocre but gratifying trekking right in the city’s reach and great views open up against the Himalayas and the valley below.
How to reach Champadevi?
The good news is that there is a motorable road that leads to Champadevi. That is to say, if you have your cycle or scooter, you could travel from Kathmandu to Champadevi. The hiker, on the other hand, can hike to either Godawari or Budhanilkantha. Both trailheads have different kinds of trails and views.
Entry fees and permits
Hikers do not need any permits or entry fees to hike through Champadevi.
Conclusion
Kathmandu has some of the most beautiful short hiking spots in Nepal, other than the city of temples and monuments. The above-mentioned hiking places are a win-win for all those who want to have a taste of Nepal’s natural beauty without being disturbed by the chaos of urban life.
It also serves as a good warm-up for the more prolonged multi-day trekking trips into the Himalayas. Whatever the case, be it a professional or an amateur trekker, everything is provided in a hiking destination in Kathmandu. In case you have any queries about top hiking spots in Nepal, feel free to contact Chitlang Organic Village Resort.
FAQs
1. Do I need a guide during hiking?
Ans: Not necessarily. If you’re going in groups, you are unlikely to need a guide because you often meet people whom you can ask the route if you’re lost. However, if you don’t know the area, then hire a guide who is well-versed on the trail, who can take you along with it and help you through navigation.
2. Does hiking have any health benefits?
Ans: Hiking undoubtedly has various forms of health benefits, both physically and psychologically. Sufficient air is inhaled for the heart and lungs to work effectively, while the muscles are toned and metabolism is increased.
Nature, on the other hand, is related to relaxation, stress alleviation, happiness, and increased cognitive function. Hiking also opens the opportunity to spend time with people for activities in nature, as well as to have that sense of achievement.