Hiking is something every adventure lover dreams of. Nepal lies in the majestic Himalayas. There’s nothing like the joyful feeling of reaching the top of a mountain after a long, hard trek. The amazing view of the huge snow-covered peaks from the top is truly unforgettable.
If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, make sure to include a hike in the Himalayas. For many adventure lovers worldwide, hiking in Nepal is a must-do experience. Picking a hiking destination in Nepal can be tricky. There’s no single “best” hike because it depends on what you prefer. Factors like hike length, altitude, difficulty, and cost all play a role in choosing the right one for you.
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15 Best Hikes in Nepal
Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp Trek is an amazing adventure for trekkers. EBC is one of the best hikes in the world. Many people even say it’s the most beautiful trek in Nepal. This 130-kilometer trek starts with a scenic flight to Lukla, and then you’ll walk through charming Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche. As you go higher, you’ll see stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam.
This popular trek takes you to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters, where climbers get ready to climb Mount Everest, which is 8,849 meters. You can also hike to Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters, which gives you one of the best views of Everest.
Ghorepani Poon Hill
The Ghorepani Poon Hill is one of the short and best hikes in Nepal. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is great for people who don’t have much time. As one of the easy hikes, it’s good for people who are just starting out. The highest point of the trek is 3,210 meters, which is Poon Hill. The Ghorepani Poon Hill trail goes through rhododendron forests, beautiful villages, and terraced fields. The best part of the hike is reaching Poon Hill before dawn to view the breathtaking sunrise across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang, often called the “Last Forbidden Kingdom,” is a trek into a remote and restricted area of Nepal. The Mustang region has very dry soil and little rain, making it known as the rain shadow region of the Himalayas. The dry and barren landscape gives it a unique, otherworldly feel as you travel through the “Hidden Kingdom.” To hike in the Upper Mustang, you need a permit and must have a guide. The Upper Mustang trek starts and ends in Jomsom, the capital of the Mustang district, which is in the Dhaulagiri zone.
Langtang Valley
The popular hiking route through the beautiful Langtang Valley, which looks like a more powerful version of the Alps and is near the Tibetan border, offers many trekking experiences in just a week. It’s also close to Kathmandu and can be reached by public bus. Starting from Syabrubesi, this teahouse trek takes you through fields, bamboo forests, and waterfalls, all the way to high mountains and glaciers. If you have a few extra days, it’s definitely worth extending the trek to the sacred lakes at Gosaikunda, surrounded by snowy peaks at an altitude of 4,400 meters.
Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit is one of the best hikes in Nepal and is becoming more popular as a less-traveled route. It is a moderately difficult trek that takes about 17 days to finish. You will be trekking at the foot of Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, and crossing the high mountain pass, Larkya La.
The Manaslu hike takes you through an area rich in Buddhist culture and the older Bon culture. Along the way, you’ll see mani walls, prayer flags, prayer wheels, and monasteries. Be sure to visit Ribum Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in the village of Lho. You’ll also pass by villages of the Bhotia people that are least touched by modernization.
Gokyo Lakes And Gokyo Valley
The Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Valley trek is perfect if you want to experience the beauty of the Everest region beyond the usual Everest Base Camp Trek. In the Everest region, you’ll enjoy one of Nepal’s best treks with amazing views of tall mountains, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes.
On the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Valley trek, you’ll enjoy a peaceful journey. Take in the stunning beauty of the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, comprised of six lakes in the Gokyo Valley inside the UNESCO-listed Sagarmatha National Park. Stand at the base of Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world, and see the longest glacier in the Himalayas, the Ngozumpa Glacier. From Gokyo Ri, you can enjoy panoramic views of mountains like Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
Annapurna Base Camp
The trek to Annapurna Base Camp is one of the best hikes in Nepal. This moderately difficult trek is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. This Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts and ends in Kathmandu and takes about 11 days to complete. You’ll be amazed by the stunning views of the snowy Annapurna Massif and glaciers from Annapurna Base Camp. You’ll trek in an area with many Gurung and Magar villages, where many people have served as Gurkha soldiers.
Mardi Himal
The Mardi Himal trek is an exciting hike along a ridge that offers amazing views of the Himalayas. You’ll get close-up views of Machhapuchhre, also known as Fishtail Peak. In just nine days, you can explore the less-traveled path with stunning mountain views and avoid crowds during peak season. If you trek in the spring, you’ll enjoy a colorful trail with blooming red, pink, and white rhododendrons, along with other wildflowers.
Langtang Gosaikunda
The Langtang Gosaikunda Helambu Trek is one of the most beautiful treks in Nepal. The difficulty of this trek ranges from easy to moderate. The stunning landscape along the Langtang River valley and the breathtaking view of Gosaikunda Lake will help you relax.
During the trek, you’ll see gorgeous freshwater lakes surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Considered one of the most scenic trails, it will take you from the banks of the Bhote Koshi River to many remote Hyolmo villages in Helambu.
Pikey Peak
The Pikey Peak hike is a lesser-known hike in the Everest region. It is mostly untouched, with very few people on the trails. Because it is an off-the-beaten-path trek, there are fewer places to stay compared to other trekking routes in Nepal. Starting from Dhap, which is a 7-hour drive from Kathmandu, the trail takes you to Pikey Peak Base Camp, where you can see clear views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Chamlang, and more. You will fly back to Kathmandu from Phaplu.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the best hikes in remote eastern Nepal. It is considered strenuous, so it’s best for experienced trekkers. The journey starts and ends in Kathmandu and takes about 24 days to complete. Since the trek is in a restricted area, you must go in a group of at least two people with a trekking guide.
You will walk in the shadow of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, which is located on the border of Nepal and India. You’ll explore both the north and south base camps of Kanchenjunga and enjoy stunning views of the four highest mountains in the world: Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse.
Everest High Pass
The Everest Three High Pass hike is one of the best hikes in Nepal and is suitable for experienced trekkers. The trip starts and ends in Kathmandu, taking about 20 days to complete. This trek is considered moderate to difficult. You will cross three high mountain passes: Renjo La Pass, Cho La Pass, and Kongma La Pass.
You’ll walk beside the clear turquoise Gokyo Lakes and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri. Since this trek is challenging, the trails are less crowded, allowing you to enjoy some peace and solitude.
Rara Lake
Rara Lake hike is one of the best hikes in Nepal. The Rara Lake Trek allows hikers to visit the largest freshwater lake in Nepal. The trail is quiet and not very crowded. Rara National Park, although the smallest national park in Nepal, is home to one of the most beautiful lakes in the work, Rara Lake. The Rara Lake covers an area of 10.4 square kilometers. The trail to Rara Lake is less traveled and offers both cultural experiences and beautiful scenery.
In winter and autumn, the area around the lake is covered in snow. The Rara Lake trek starts in Kathmandu and takes you to the remote area of Jumla in northwest Nepal. You’ll pass through charming villages like Gorusingha, Jaljala, and Sija during the trek.
Nar Phu Valley
The Nar Phu Valley hike is one of the best and most popular hikes in Nepal. The Nar and Phu are two unique valleys located near each other. The hike offers great trekking options between the well-known Annapurna and Manaslu regions in Nepal. These valleys are mainly home to Khampas (Tibetan refugees). Unlike the busy Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp treks, the Nar Phu trek is quiet and less crowded, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Chame (also known as Mt. Manaslu, 8,163 meters).
Trekking in the Nar Phu Valley takes you into remote areas where traditional Himalayan life, strongly influenced by Tibetan culture, still thrives. This trek is often called a journey into “Little Tibet,” with the added excitement of Himalayan peaks, high mountain passes like Kang La (5,200 m) and Thorong La (5,416 m), glaciers, deep canyons, dense forests, yak pastures, and ancient gompas.
Conclusion
Nepal is a great place to go hiking because it has so many different trails. There are three main groups of them. Every trip is different. You find the legendary ones. They are the hikes in the Everest region, the culture in the Annapurna region, solitude in the Upper Mustang, and peace in the Langtang area. While hiking, you can see breathtaking views of mountains, vibrant locals, and a sense of conquest in unexplored lands. However, no matter which trail you take, you will remember the giants, the friendly people, and the spiritual experiences.
FAQs
Which trek in Nepal is the best?
The best treks in Nepal are the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna North Base Camp Trek, Upper Mustang Loop, Helambu Trek, Pikey Peak Trek, Tilicho Lake Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek, Tsum Valley Trek, Kanchenjunga North, Three Passes Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, Makalu Base Camp Trek, and Langtang Valley Trek.
Which is the hardest hike in Nepal?
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is considered one of the hardest hikes in the Nepal Himalayas. This trek is difficult because everything needs to be organized in advance. It’s a camping trek, so you have to bring all the necessary gear and supplies. There are no lodges or basic comforts along the trail.
Which is the longest hiking trail in Nepal?
The longest hiking trail in Nepal is the Great Himalayan Trail. It stretches over 1,700 kilometers (about 1,056 miles) and runs along the Himalayas from east to west. Hikers can enjoy stunning mountain views, traditional villages, and unique wildlife along the way.
How many hiking trails are there in Nepal?
Nepal has thousands of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging treks. Popular trekking routes include the Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and the Dhaulagiri Circuit, among many others. On AllTrails.com, you can find 61 hiking trails, 34 backpacking trails, 25 walking trails, and more options.
Are there easy hikes in Nepal?
Yes, there are several easy hikes in Nepal that are perfect for beginners or those looking for a more relaxed experience. Some popular easy hikes include Nagarkot to Dhulikhel Hike, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Shivapuri National Park Hike, and Australian Camp Hike.
