Adventure · Kathmandu
Shivapuri Mountain Biking
Forest singletrack inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, with climbs to the ridge and descents past Budhanilkantha.
Shivapuri mountain biking delivers the best forest singletrack within easy reach of Kathmandu, on the trails and dirt roads of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park on the valley's northern rim. Rides climb through dense oak and rhododendron forest toward the 2,732 m Shivapuri peak and descend past the temples at Budhanilkantha and the waterfalls of Sundarijal. You enter at a park gate, pay the entry fee, and have a near-endless web of old paths to explore.
This is one of the headline rides in our mountain biking and trail running collection; for the wider context start with mountain biking in the Kathmandu Valley.
The park and the trails
Shivapuri Nagarjun protects the forested catchment that feeds the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers, and the same hills that shelter that water supply hold the trails. Riders work up a mix of stone footpaths, fire roads and singletrack through thick forest that is cool even in spring, then link descents back toward the valley floor. The riding ranges from steady dirt-road climbs to steep, root-laced singletrack that rewards confident descenders. For the full natural history of the park, see Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
Where rides start
Most rides begin at Budhanilkantha, on the northern edge of the city beside the great reclining Vishnu of Budhanilkantha, or at Sundarijal to the north-east, where a road climbs toward Chisapani. Both gates sit a short drive or warm-up pedal from the city. From either, you can ride up toward the Shivapuri ridge and descend back through villages and forest.
Linking other rim rides
Shivapuri connects naturally with the north-western rim. Many riders combine it with the Kakani to Tokha descent or use the ridge as part of a longer rim loop. Runners use exactly these trails too — see Kathmandu Valley trail running routes, which cover the Shivapuri ridges in detail.
Practicalities
- Permit: Pay the national park entry fee at the gate; bring cash and your passport. Fees differ for foreign, SAARC and Nepali visitors.
- Season: October–November and March–April are best. The forest gets muddy and leechy in the monsoon.
- Guide: Recommended — the trail network is dense and unsigned, and a guide handles the park entry.
- Bring: Water, snacks, and basic spares; tea shops are limited inside the park.
For costs, operators and rides beyond the valley, read the national mountain biking in Nepal guide before you plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can you mountain bike in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park?+
Yes. The park's forest trails and dirt roads are popular with mountain bikers, offering some of the best singletrack close to Kathmandu. You enter through gates such as Budhanilkantha or Sundarijal, pay the national park entry fee, and ride the network of old paths and fire roads through oak and rhododendron forest.
How high is Shivapuri peak?+
Shivapuri peak reaches 2,732 m, the second-highest point on the Kathmandu Valley rim after Phulchowki. Most rides climb partway up the ridge rather than to the summit itself, but the higher you go the cooler and more forested it becomes, with Himalaya views on clear days.
Do I need a permit to bike in Shivapuri?+
Yes. Shivapuri Nagarjun is a national park, so you pay an entry fee at the gate — bring cash and your passport or a copy. The fee differs for foreign visitors, SAARC nationals and Nepalis. Guided rides usually handle the entry for you.
Where do Shivapuri bike rides start?+
Common start points are Budhanilkantha on the northern edge of the valley, near the famous reclining Vishnu temple, and Sundarijal to the north-east. Both are short drives or rides from the city and give access to the park's trail network.
