Trekking · Kathmandu
Gokarna to Nagi Gompa Walk
A forest climb from Gokarna Mahadev Temple up to Nagi Gompa, a hillside Tibetan Buddhist nunnery and meditation retreat.
The Gokarna to Nagi Gompa walk climbs from the graceful riverside Gokarna Mahadev Temple up through the forested slopes of Shivapuri to Nagi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist nunnery and meditation centre with sweeping views over the Kathmandu Valley. It is a quiet, shady half-day hike that pairs a Hindu river temple at the bottom with a Buddhist hillside retreat at the top.
The short answer
Start at Gokarna Mahadev Temple, about 30 minutes northeast of Kathmandu, and follow forest paths north and uphill into the Shivapuri hills. After a 2 to 3 hour climb of roughly 4 to 6 km, you reach Nagi Gompa, home to many nuns and long linked with the teacher Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The upper section enters Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, so carry cash for the entry fee. Allow 4 to 5 hours round trip.
On the trail
The walk begins at the 1582 Gokarna pagoda on the Bagmati, then leaves the river and climbs steadily through the green Shivapuri forest. The trail is shaded and birdy, gaining several hundred metres before emerging at the gompa's terraces. Nagi Gompa clings to the hillside, its prayer flags and whitewashed buildings looking out across the whole valley — a serene spot to rest, watch the nuns at their practice, and take in the view.
From Nagi Gompa, fit walkers can continue higher into Shivapuri or descend toward Budhanilkantha, linking up with the other northern walks.
Combine with the northern routes
Nagi Gompa is also reached from the east on the cooler Sundarijal to Nagi Gompa walk, which makes a good alternative descent or approach. For a tougher climb on the same massif, continue or switch to the Budhanilkantha to Shivapuri walk to reach the forest summit itself.
Good to know
- Distance & time: ~4–6 km one way; 4–5 hours round trip.
- Difficulty: Moderate, a steady forest climb.
- Best time: October–April for clear views; the forest is lush but leechy in monsoon.
- Permit: National park entry fee for the upper section.
- Bring: Water, snacks, cash, and modest dress for the gompa.
How it fits your trip
This walk is a calm, contemplative escape into the Shivapuri forest, joining a Hindu temple to a Buddhist nunnery. Find it among the other routes in the sacred hikes of the Kathmandu Valley collection, see more options in the best day hikes near Kathmandu guide, and read about Buddhism in Nepal to understand the tradition that Nagi Gompa keeps alive.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nagi Gompa?+
Nagi Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist nunnery and meditation centre perched on the southern slopes of Shivapuri, overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. Long associated with the teacher Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, it is home to many nuns and is a peaceful place for quiet retreat, with sweeping views over the city below.
How long is the Gokarna to Nagi Gompa walk?+
From the Gokarna area it is roughly a 4 to 6 kilometre climb of about 2 to 3 hours up through forest to Nagi Gompa, gaining several hundred metres. The descent is quicker, so allow around 4 to 5 hours for the round trip with time at the gompa.
Does this walk enter Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park?+
The upper part of the route lies within Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, so a park entry fee usually applies once you pass the boundary. Carry cash and identification, and check current fees at the entry post before setting out.
How do I reach the Gokarna trailhead?+
Gokarna Mahadev Temple is about 30 minutes northeast of central Kathmandu by taxi, on the road toward Sundarijal. From near the temple and Gokarna Forest, paths climb north into the Shivapuri hills toward Nagi Gompa.
