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Short Hiking Routes in Kathmandu

Abhishek Subedi July 9, 2020

In case you have limited time and energy for longer treks or hikes, Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal provides you the opportunity to experience hiking in the vicinity of the valley. All over the Nepal we can provide you the Short hiking Routes in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is bounded by the hills covered with the forests, terraced farms, and the villages. The hike around Kathmandu valley offers you the scenic beauty of the geography, mountains, culture, and lifestyle of the people in a short time and a chance to enjoy some time in peace away from the crowd of the city without going too far. The city, with its streets and frenetic life and crazy drivers, is the centre. The Ring Road is the circular boundary between this urban vortex and the green girdle of hills that tower above the valley floor. Beyond this rim is the even more tranquil, almost paradisiacal realm of mountains and villages, stone trails and moss-carpeted forests. 

The major advantages of trekking around the valley are that you can see the beautiful view of mountains without reaching the higher altitude plus you need not be very far from the city either. Here are some of the short hiking routes in Kathmandu valley that you can consider if you are looking for the trekking experience in a relatively shorter time.

1. Namobuddha Hike

Namobuddha lies 38 kilometers east of Kathmandu at the altitude of 1,750 meters. IIt is a holy place for the Buddhist and is famous for the Buddhist Gumbas and shrines. The stupas are such a beautiful reflection of the Buddhist art. This place also carries an ancient history. According to legend, once a prince offered himself to the starving tiger in this place. Situated at the top of the hill, Namobuddha provides you with the beauty of the Everest and Langtang Himalayan Range. You can see the cropped farms throughout your trek reflecting the agriculture practice in Kathmandu. The trek also provides you with the marvelous view of the landscape in all directions. The Hiking takes a minimum of 5 hours.

Short Hiking Routes in Kathmandu

The hike starts after a drive to a place called Dhapasi and ancient Newar town Panauti. Heading upwards to the north-east direction and crossing a suspension bridge we cross many agricultural villages. An hour’s steep climb leads us to our destination, Namobuddha.

2. Sundarijal to Chisapani

Sundarijal to Chisapani is also one of the short hiking Routes in Kathmandu. The buffet for the senses begins within minutes of taking to the trail on this hike. You go up a narrow alley, a simple path around the corner of a building, from Sundarijal’s small bazaar and come out into the countryside. You climb past houses with pumpkins drying on window sills, pomelo and orange trees in the garden, and cows in sheds. Running parallel to the trail is a huge rusty pipe that carries water down from the reservoir high in the forest. In the ravine below is the Bagmati, flowing merrily, boisterous, clean.

Short Hiking Routes in Kathmandu

You ascend, your calves object. Just then you hear a crashing sound of water, growing louder with each laborious couple of feet. Soon the source comes into view: a waterfall, plummeting from the dense forest. Water starts, their tails flitting like butterflies, hop from rock to rock. The climb continues after the waterfall for another hour before you find yourself in terraced fields. This is Mulkharka. There isn’t another village between Mulkharka and Chisapani, so it’s best to buy snacks and refill your water bottles here.

Climbing up from Mulkharka, you enter another forest. The rest of the walk to Chisapani is through dappled forests. It can be a bit frustrating because the trees block views of the mountains. But when you finally get your first glimpse of the mountains towering above Chisapani, not seeing them all day enhances their beauty. There is hardly a better way to end a day than watching the day’s last light drain away, turning the peaks golden one moment, roseate another. 

3. Shivapuri Hike

The hike to Shivapuri is a prominent hike in Kathmandu at an elevation of 2563 meters and is only 25 kilometers away from the capital. Shivapuri is a good choice to get into nature still being near to the bustling capital city; Kathmandu. The hike starts from Budhanilkantha temple, 8 km North of Kathmandu. You will see the statue of sleeping Vishnu on a single stone. From Budhanilkantha, about a 2 to 5 hours hike will take you to the Nagi Gumba: a Buddhist monastery. Resting in the elevation of 2340 meters, the Nagi Gumba is a popular destination for Buddhist as well as locals.

Short Hiking Routes in Kathmandu

 After a visit to the Gumba, you will again proceed for about 2 hours to reach our destination. From the top you will view the beautiful Kathmandu valley as far as you can. The origin of the Bagmati River: Baghdwar can also be seen from the top which also makes the trek religious. The birds and the surrounding hills add extra attraction to the hike. 

4. Taudaha to Champa Devi

This hike is ideal for anyone who prefers solitude above all else. Not to say that is its only attraction. If you go in winter, you can begin by spending some time watching the numerous species of migratory birds wintering in Taudaha. The hike begins on the paved road that winds up from Chalnakhel. It’s a steep climb for the first half an hour. The road ends near a monastery damaged in the 2015 earthquake and now under construction, and a trail weaves through a small village of ochre houses. Walking past the houses, the trail climbs again, this time into the dense forest. This is the lonely stretch of the hike, your only company likely to be kalij pheasants foraging the leafy floor.

An hour of steady climbing will bring you to a saddle on the hill. The summit of Champa Devi Hill – and the shrine dedicated to the eponymous goddess – is a further thirty-minute climb west, reachable on flagstone stairs. A similarly paved trail goes to the east, winding down to Hattiban Resort and, further down, to the main Kathmandu-Pharping road.

On clear days, the view to the north is an unbroken chain of majestic peaks; the south is row after row of hills, floating above the haze. There is nothing spectacular about the Champa Devi shrine. It’s a small space with a couple of statues smeared with vermilion. But it’s awesome in its isolation, a place of power that does not invite devotees with its appearance or size but rather draws only those who seek out such places, those who are willing to punish their calves for an hour or two of solitude and a walk in the woods. 

5. Phulchowki Hill Hiking

Phulchowki Hill Hiking is also the short hiking routes in Kathmandu. Phulchoki meaning the ‘Hill of Flowers’ is the highest hill around Kathmandu Valley (2,782 meters) and named after the name of a Hindu goddess. The Phulchoki hill is a famous trekking route for vegetation and bird watching. The forest of Phulchowki consists of Rhododendron of different colors, including pure and white. Different species of birds such as Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Yellow-browed Tit, Red-billed Leiothrix, Bronzed and Racket-tailed Drongos, Grey-headed Wood keeper, Nepal Cutia, and Black-winged Cuckoo shrine can be noticed during the trek.

Phulchowki

Since Phulchoki is the name of the goddess, there is a shrine of the goddess at the top surrounded by flags. People celebrate a month-long festival during March/April. Other festivals also take place in July and August. You will also find a telecommunication tower at the top. Being near to the temple, it is also wrapped up with the flags. This tower at the top of the highest hill around the valley is where technology meets culture. The eastern Annapurna and Gaurisankar range view and the view of the Kathmandu valley are the other attractions of the hike. Phulchoki is the only place that experiences snow in the periphery of the valley.

You will get buses and minibuses from the old Bus Park that will drop you up to Lagankhel. You can catch a minibus to go to Godavari from there. Your hike starts as soon as you get off the minibus in the Godavari.

6. Kakani to Bhanjyang Hike

The Kakani hike features pine, rhododendron, and oak forest along the route. Kakani to Bhanjyang is a short hike requiring only about 4 hours of walk and not so difficult to climb either. The trip also offers the beauty of the mountains.

The Kakani hike features the pine, rhododendron, and oak forest along the route. Kakani to Bhanjyangis a short hike requiring only about 4 hours of walk and not so difficult to climb either. The trip also offers the beauty of the mountains. You will get a bus from Machhapokhari (near New Bus Park) to reach up to Kakani. You pass through some covered and uncovered parts of strawberry fields. There are hotels if you want to spend a night. There is a memorial park built in the memory of the Thai Airways which crashed in 1992. You can visit the park if you want. You can view the amazing views of the Manaslu, Langtang, Gaurisankar and Ganesh Himal and enjoy the time taking pictures.

Going down to the right, you can get tickets to enter the Shivapuri National Park. After 15 minutes you will reach the army checkpoint. Climbing a little more, you arrive GurjeBhanjyang. From here you can also make a trek to Budhanilkantha. Going down to the right, you can get tickets to enter the Shivapuri National Park. After 15 minutes you will reach the army checkpoint. Climbing a little more, you arrive GurjeBhanjyang. From here you can also make a trek to Budhanilkantha.

7. Amitabha Monastery Hiking ( Seto Gumba)

Amitabha Monastery is also one of the short Hiking routes in Kathmandu. It lies in the South of the Kathmandu Valley. It is also called a Seto Gumba or White Gumba. The White Gumba lies at the altitude of 1,500 meters. The Amitabha Monastery or the White Gumba is a holy place for the followers of Buddhism. Hiking to the White Gumba starts from Swayambhu. The trek is almost five hours long and provides the trekkers with the opportunity to witness various avatars of the Lord Buddha inside the stupas. The peaceful place is surrounded by green villages and provides a beautiful view of the Kathmandu valley. The trip to Gumba is refreshing and entertaining. 

Hiking In Kathmandu

8. Banthali Village Hike

Among the short hiking routes in Kathmandu.Banthali Village is situated 40 kilometers east of Kathmandu, beyond Panauti village lay a peace and calm Banthali village. Standing on the top of the Banthali village, one can admire the beauty of nature with terraced farms and the thatched village. The views of the hills and mountains in every direction you turn are enough to melt yourself. The dense forest of the Rhododendron and several species of birds make the place not less beautiful and lovely than heaven. The Banthali village trek will be the best option for someone who is looking for some time in peace and for someone who wants to spend some time listening to the bird’s sound. Banthali also offers you the cycling trials if you are a cyclist. 

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