The Best Hikes In Kathmandu

Nepal, a beautiful and culturally diversified country nestled in the Himalayas is the top choice when it comes to trekking and mountain expeditions. Home to a total of eight out of fourteen of the highest peaks on the planet, this Himalayan country offers countless adventurous thrills and soul-stirring endeavors. You may have heard at least once about Everest Base Camp Trek (the most popular base camp adventure in the world), Annapurna Circuit Trek, and Langtang Valley when searching for exciting trekking prospects.

As these exciting Himalayan adventures are weeks long, it may not be feasible for every traveler to fit these explorations into their vacation period. However, there are also tons of short hiking options available in the country for travelers who want to experience the natural beauty and cultural side of the country in a short period.

During your visit to Nepal, you can explore some of the best hiking trails near Kathmandu. These short and easy hiking trails won’t take much of your time, and you will be able to easily fit them in your vacation itinerary.

Nagarkot Hike

The Nagarkot hike is preferably one of the best and short hike options in the Kathmandu Valley. This hill station trek is also the most popular and beloved hiking option in the capital valley. Nagarkot Hill in the Bhaktapur district is approximately 32 km farther from Kathmandu and sits at an elevation of 2,175 meters. This hill station used to be a strategic location to keep an eye on the external activities of the neighboring kingdoms; however, it was later turned into a summer retreat destination for the royal families.

At present, it is one of the most popular viewpoints to catch the incredible views of the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding mountains. From the vantage point of Nagarkot Hill, you will be able to enjoy the most spectacular views of the Himalayan massifs like Everest, Annapurna, Langtang Himal, Himchuli, Gauri Shankar, Machhapuchhre and many others.

Nagarkot hike takes you across the lush landscapes, high hills, forest, and beautiful settlement, making it the most prominent trekking prospect it is one of the best hiking trails near Kathmandu.

Dhulikhel Namobuddha Hike

Moving further in the list of the best hiking trails near Kathmandu, the Dulikhel Namobuddha hike is another top contender. This double highlight hike takes you to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the south-west side of Kathmandu. Dulikhel is at a distance of about 30 km and is at an elevation of 1,550 meters. You will be able to catch the incredible panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks and the Kathmandu Valley.

The next part of this hike explores one of the most significant Buddhist sites in the country Namobuddha, which is at an elevation of 1,750 meters. You will begin your hike at Dhulikhel and gradually make you ascend to the Buddhist site across Goukhushwar Mahadev, Kavrekot and Kali Mandir. You will cover an approximate hiking distance of 10 km to reach Namobuddha from Dulikhel, which will take about 4 hours.

Namobuddha is a monastery school that teaches Buddhism to novice practitioners of every age. The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery is the main attraction of this peaceful village, you can take your time to learn about the history of this site and understand the ways of Buddhism during your hike.

Kakani Hike

Kakani is another incredible prospect to admire the beauty of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in a more peaceful setting. This popular hiking destination in the valley that offers a serene experience away from the hustle and bustle of modernity is undoubtedly one of the best hiking trails near Kathmandu. Kakani Danda is north-western side of the capital valley and is at an altitude of 2,070 meters from sea level. Just 29 km away from Kathmandu, you will be able to reach the hiking point within an hour of driving.

The overall hiking trail in this popular hiking destination takes around 5 to 6 hours and takes you across the beautifully terraced farmlands, high hills, and Tamanag communities along the trail. Japanese strawberries, rainbow trout dishes, and rhododendron-flavored liquors are some of the major highlights of this hike. International Mountaineers Memorial Park, which trains aspiring mountaineers, is another popular highlight of this hike.

Besides being one of the closest and the best hiking trails near Kathmandu, this is also one of the easiest hiking options that is suitable for all age groups. Although the hike can be slightly longer, this fascinating and easy trekking trail is certainly worth it. From the top of the Kakani Hill Station, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Manaslu, Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, Machhapuchhre, and other surrounding peaks.

Kalinchowk Hike 

If you are looking for a slightly extensive hiking option near the Kathmandu Valley, the Kalinchowk Hike is one of the incredible options. Kalinchowk Hike ranks top among the best hiking trails near Kathmandu in the multi-day category. This short, rejuvenating retreat takes you to the popular hill station in the Dolakaha district on the northeast side of the capital valley. Kalinchowk is approximately 150 km farther from Kathmandu and the maximum elevation point in this trek is about 3,842 meters at Kuri Village.

This hill station gained popularity for its winter landscapes; during the winter season, the entire region is covered with snow, which makes it seem like a European vacation destination. Kalinchowk Hike is one of the most popular weekend gateways among both domestic and international travelers. From the vantage point of this hill station, you will be able to catch the spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks like Langtang Himal, Gaurisankhar Himal, Jugal Himal, Ganesh Himal and Dorje Lakpa.

Besides the epic Himalayan panorama, there are several adventurous options available in this hill station like skiing, cable car ride, and hiking. This short hike option generally lasts about 3 days, and you will also get the chance to explore one of the significant cultural sites in the Hindu religion, Kalinchowk Bhagawati Temple, during this trip.

Balthali Hike

Balthali Hike takes you to one of the small and charming villages in the Kavrepalanchowk District. This hiking destination, located in the south-east side of the capital is at a distance of about 35 km from Kathmandu. The Balthali Hike is a short and exciting day hiking option near Kathmandu that offers insight on the traditional and rural side of Nepal with splendid mountain views on the backdrop.

Among other popular hiking options and the best hiking trails near Kathmandu, Balthali Hike is known as the off-beaten short hiking destination near the capital. This exhilarating trekking trail takes you across the traditional settlements and the wilderness that is untouched by modernity. You will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of this rural village in its raw state and the traditional Newar and Tamang villages that have preserved their customs since ancient times.

From the vantage point of this hike, you will be able to enjoy wide Himalayan vistas that include incredible peaks like Everest, Manaslu, Dorje  Lakpa, Gaurishankar, and other surrounding peaks in its frame. If you are looking for an exploration that showcases the traditional side of this diverse country and a more serene experience, Balthalu Hike is among the top contenders for the best hiking trails near Kathmandu.