Mountain Biking & Trail Running Around Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Valley rim is one of the most rewarding places in Nepal to mountain bike and trail run, with forested ridges, old footpaths and dirt roads circling the city and climbing to Himalaya viewpoints. You can ride or run Shivapuri singletrack, the long Nagarkot and Chandragiri descents, the classic Kakani to Tokha drop, or link the whole rim on a multi-day bikepacking loop — all within an hour or two of Thamel.

This collection sits on the adventure side of our wider Kathmandu travel guide. The capital is best known for its temple squares and trekking gateways, but its green ring of hills is laced with trails that locals have used for centuries, and which now double as some of the best singletrack in the country.

Where to ride and run

Start with the overview in mountain biking in the Kathmandu Valley, which maps the riding zones, seasons and how to rent a bike in the city. Then pick a zone to suit your legs.

For forest singletrack closest to town, Shivapuri mountain biking explores the trails inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, climbing through oak and rhododendron above the Bagmati's source. On the eastern rim, Nagarkot downhill mountain biking drops thousands of feet off the ridge through villages and terraces, the valley's signature gravity ride. On the western edge, Chandragiri mountain biking pairs a cable-car lift with descent trails back to the valley floor — a softer entry point for the climbing-averse.

Runners are spoilt too: Kathmandu Valley trail running routes covers the best loops, from the Shivapuri ridges to the Nagarkot–Chisapani path and the long pull up Phulchowki. For a sharp, well-known descent you can ride or run, the Kakani to Tokha bike descent drops off the northern rim through pine forest toward the city. And to put it all together, valley rim bikepacking describes how riders loop the entire circuit over several days, sleeping in rim villages.

How it fits the valley

These trails thread past the same landmarks travellers come to see. Many Shivapuri rides start near Budhanilkantha and its great reclining Vishnu, the Chandragiri trails share a hill with the Chandragiri Hills cable car, and almost every rim ride links into the wider menu of day trips from Kathmandu. It is easy to combine a half-day ride with temples, viewpoints and a Newari lunch.

Plan your adventure

For the national picture — costs, operators and the bigger rides in Mustang and Annapurna — read mountain biking in Nepal. If you would rather run or walk the same hills, the guide to the best day hikes near Kathmandu overlaps heavily with these trails.

Good to know

• Season: October–November and March–April are prime; avoid the monsoon for the dirt trails.
• Bikes: Hardtails and full-suspension bikes rent by the day in Thamel and Patan; quality varies, so check brakes and tyres.
• Guides: A local guide is worth it for the rim trails, which braid and are poorly signed.
• Water & food: Carry water and snacks; village tea shops are reliable but spread out.

Tap any ride or route below for trail detail, distances, season and how to get there.