Best Hiking around Kathmandu Valley Rim

‘a short and scenic country walks on rolling green hills of Kathmandu valley rim’

Hiking around Kathmandu valley rim, a pleasant and interesting way to spend your time while in Kathmandu, with busy, hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu this will be a great opportunity to escape away from modernization for some days in tranquil mountain environment within the shade of Himalayan peaks.

Hiking around Kathmandu valley rim, a scenic and interesting country walks where you will be in the midst of rural farm areas and friendly locals in the harmony of cultural and traditional villages of great interest.

A short day walk of a day or for few days leads you on scenic high rolling green hills within its valley suburb, where an hour drive reaches you at starting point of hiking on uphill quiet and serene trails within forested surrounding of tall rhododendron-oaks-magnolia and pine tree lines.

A country walk and a hike suitable to all types of people to join in this exciting and pleasant walks of moderate grade where altitude hardly touches you where some destination is just above 2,760 m high, offering sweeping panorama of high mountains and dramatic landscapes.

With time in Kathmandu after yours sightseeing and cultural tour, for some people with more time in Kathmandu city can join on hike or country walks to be away from maddening crowd of city life heading towards complete wilderness within pristine nature.

Walking is pleasant although Nepal is a country of ups and downhill for few hours and with gentle gradual trail to walk where you can observe rural farm village traditional way of life as it was for past hundred of centuries.

A day hike or for more few days will certainly freshen you up with clean mountain and nature air within pristine environment of alpine woodland and lush green vegetation along the walks.

Hiking around Kathmandu valley rim where all age-groups can join in, where you can walk at your leisurely pace with views of snow peaks and in the comfort of nice cozy mountain local lodge with room facing views.

Hiking around Kathmandu valley rim where you can choose wide range of destination with complete panorama of Himalayan peaks and in perfect wilderness supported with local guides and porters to carry you big bags if needed.

Hera are the top list of best hiking around Kathmandu valley rim:

Shivapuri Day Hiking :

Altitude:  2,540 m high

Duration: 03 to 04 hrs walks both ways
Located North of Kathmandu valley, near a Hindu Temple of Sleeping Vishnu known as Buddha Nilkanta or Narayanthan, a short drive to reach past the holy temple towards Shivapuri national park entrance, and then hike uphill for few hours and stop for the views of snow clad peaks of Manaslu-Ganesh and Langtang Himal facing scenery of Kathmandu valley from the ridge top.

Phulchowki Day Hiking:

 Altitude: 2,760 m high

Duration: 03 to 4 hrs hikes both ways
Located South East of Kathmandu valley within Patan / Lalitpur district where drive takes an hour past Patan city areas entering into green vegetation of dense forest and into cooler areas at Godavari Botanical Garden.

From here walk leads up for some hours once on the top marvel the breath-taking panorama of Himalayan chain of peaks from Annapurna towards far west and then Manaslu-Ganesh-Langtang Himal, towards straight north Jugal Himal with Dorji-Lakpa and Gaurishanker extends to Everest region towards far east horizon.

Chisapani Day Hiking:

Altitude: 2,310 m high

Duration: 05 to 6 hrs hike both ways
One of the popular day or two hiking starting from Sundarijal north east of Kathmandu city and the valley, then heading towards uphill past water-shed and reservoir few farm villages of Tamang tribes and then reaching a high ridge top.

Chisapani a small village with good lodges to stay for overnight with complete beautiful scenery of mountain range includes stunning sunrise and sunset views.

From here one can carry on hiking next day towards scenic Nagarkot Hill a famous view point for sunrise and mountain views with many excellent hotels-resorts and lodge to stay located in a peaceful environment of alpine woodland and interesting village / town.

After hiking Nagarkot one can carry on walking towards east on a ridge line with few ups and downhill path with constant views of snow capped peaks throughout the walks to end at Mountain and Hill town of Dhulikhel, a Newari town of more than 500 years old.

Dhulikhel at 1,540 m high offers panorama of mountains right from your rooms in nice and cozy lodge and hotels.

 
Nagarjun Day Hiking:

Altitude: 1,670 m high

Duration: 03 to 4 hrs hike both ways
A short day walk of few hours located within Western rim of the valley beyond Balaju Water Garden, where half hour drive brings you at entrance of the Nagarjun and Shivapuri Park.

From here walk up into cool shade of forest with views of Kathmandu city and the valley as walk progress reaching the high ridge, where there is a view tower for excellent views of Kathmandu valley and snowcapped peaks towards north, this place with a small monastery with Buddhist saint idol Guru-Rinpoche (Padmasamba) a 6-7 century tantric Guru who visited and mediated around this scenic hill.

After a marvelous time with pack and picnic lunch head back downhill for short drive back to your hotel.

Best season for Day Hiking around Kathmandu Valley:

Season for best hiking around Kathmandu valley rim can be done all year round except the monsoon wet months of June to mid-September, March to May flowering season on mid and high hills, October to March days are clear most of the months with super views of mountains.

All Hike best to start from morning normally 7 a.m. onward after having your good breakfast where lunch on route either in local lodge restaurant or pack/ picnic lunch to make your day delightful and enjoyable.

Walking hours depending upon the areas from minimum 3 hours with maximum of 6 hrs ( on route Nagarkot and Dhulikhel).