Shivapuri National Park offers one of the most accessible and rewarding day hikes from Kathmandu. Located just north of the city, this trail takes you through lush forests, past Buddhist monasteries, and up to Manichud Daha (lake), offering stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan range on clear days.
The trail is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of moderate fitness levels. Along the way, you'll encounter diverse flora and fauna, including over 300 species of birds and various wildlife such as Himalayan black bears, leopards, and rhesus monkeys.
Explore the Shivapuri National Park trail route and key points of interest
The trail begins at Budhanilkantha, famous for its large sleeping Vishnu statue. From here, follow the road north toward the Shivapuri National Park entrance gate. You'll need to register and pay the entrance fee at the gate.
After entering the park, the trail ascends through a beautiful forest with stone steps in many sections. After about 1.5 hours of hiking, you'll reach Nagi Gompa, a Buddhist nunnery perched on the hillside with excellent views of the valley below.
From Nagi Gompa, continue ascending through the forest. The trail becomes steeper in sections but is well-maintained. After approximately 2 hours, you'll reach a junction where one path leads to Shivapuri Peak and the other to Manichud Daha.
Take the path toward Manichud Daha, which is about 30 minutes from the junction. The small lake is surrounded by forest and offers a peaceful spot for a rest and picnic lunch. This is a good turning point for those doing a day hike.
Return via the same route, enjoying different perspectives of the forest and valley views on your descent. The downhill journey takes approximately 2-2.5 hours back to Budhanilkantha.
Read what other hikers have to say about their experience on this trail
This was an amazing hike! The trail is well-maintained and the views from the top are absolutely stunning. We were lucky to have clear weather and could see the Himalayan range. The forest is beautiful and we even spotted some monkeys along the way. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Kathmandu who wants to escape the city for a day.
A beautiful hike with lots of nature to enjoy. The trail gets a bit steep in some places, but it's manageable for anyone with moderate fitness. The monastery along the way was a nice cultural stop. My only complaint is that the entrance fee for foreigners is quite high compared to locals, but I understand it helps maintain the park.
I've hiked this trail many times and it never disappoints. It's a great workout with rewarding views. The lake is peaceful and a perfect spot for lunch. In autumn, the forest colors are spectacular. If you're lucky, you might spot some interesting birds - I saw a Himalayan Monal last time! Definitely bring enough water as there aren't many places to refill along the way.
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