Adventure · Kathmandu
Chandragiri Mountain Biking
Lift-assisted descents from the 2,550 m Chandragiri hilltop on the western rim, plus trails toward Champadevi and Thankot.
Chandragiri mountain biking rides the south-western corner of the Kathmandu Valley rim, where a cable car climbs to a 2,550 m hilltop above Thankot. Many riders use the lift to skip the big climb and descend trails back toward the valley floor, while others link climb-and-descend loops toward the neighbouring Champadevi ridge. With the Himalaya panorama and the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple at the top, it is the valley's most scenic lift-assisted ride.
This is the western anchor of our mountain biking and trail running collection; for the full picture start with mountain biking in the Kathmandu Valley.
The hilltop and the trails
Chandragiri rises on the western rim near Thankot, the point where the Tribhuvan Highway leaves the valley. The same hill served by the popular Chandragiri Hills cable car is laced with forest trails and dirt roads. From the 2,550 m summit — site of the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple and a sweeping valley-and-Himalaya view — riders descend through pine and broadleaf forest toward the valley floor. The descent mixes easy fire road with steeper singletrack, so you can pitch the difficulty to your level.
Note that cable-car bike carriage can vary; confirm the current policy with the operator, as many riders instead pedal or shuttle partway up and ride the trails down.
Linking the Champadevi ridge
South of Chandragiri, the Champadevi ridge offers more climb-and-descend riding on old footpaths, and confident riders link the two for a longer day. Both sit on the same forested western arc of the rim, with quieter trails than the busier northern and eastern zones.
A contrasting day
Chandragiri's lift-assist makes a neat contrast with the shuttle-served Nagarkot downhill mountain biking on the opposite rim — ride one each day for east-and-west valley views. The same trails make fine walking, covered in the best day hikes near Kathmandu.
Practicalities
- Getting there: The cable-car base at Thankot is about an hour by taxi from central Kathmandu.
- Season: October–November and March–April are best; the forest is muddy in the monsoon.
- Skill: Choose dirt-road or singletrack lines to match your ability.
- Bring: Helmet, gloves, water and a layer for the cool, breezy summit.
For costs, operators and bigger rides beyond the valley, see mountain biking in Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
Can you mountain bike at Chandragiri?+
Yes. Chandragiri on the western rim of the Kathmandu Valley has forest trails and dirt roads suited to mountain biking, and many riders take the cable car up to the 2,550 m hilltop to ride a descent back toward Thankot and the valley floor. There are also climb-and-descend loops toward the neighbouring Champadevi ridge.
Can you take a bike on the Chandragiri cable car?+
Cable-car bike carriage can vary, so confirm with the operator before you go. Many riders instead pedal or shuttle up part of the way and ride the trails down, while others use the cable car as a lift and ride a descent line from the top — check the current policy in advance.
How high is the Chandragiri hilltop?+
The Chandragiri summit sits at about 2,550 m, on the south-western edge of the valley near Thankot. It holds the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple and a wide panorama over the valley and, on clear days, the Himalaya — a worthwhile reason to start a ride from the top.
Is Chandragiri biking suitable for beginners?+
The lift-assisted approach makes Chandragiri one of the gentler ways into valley riding, since it removes the long climb. The descent trails still range from easy dirt road to steeper singletrack, so fit beginners can find suitable lines while stronger riders take the technical paths.
