Trekking · Kathmandu
Hikes in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Day hikes on Kathmandu's north rim — Shivapuri Peak, Nagi Gompa, Bagdwar, Jamacho and the Chisapani trail.
The best day hikes in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park are the climb to Shivapuri Peak (2,732 m), the gentle forest walks to Nagi Gompa and Bagdwar above Budhanilkantha, the popular Sundarijal–Mulkharka–Chisapani trail, and the Jamacho Gompa loop on the Nagarjun side. Sitting on the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, this 159 km² protected forest is the city's most accessible wilderness — cloud forest, oak and rhododendron, leopards and over 300 bird species, all within an hour of Thamel.
The short answer
For the headline summit, take the Shivapuri Peak hike from the Pani Muhan gate above Budhanilkantha — a long but rewarding climb to the second-highest point on the valley rim. For something gentler, the Nagi Gompa hike reaches a hillside Buddhist nunnery in under two hours, while the forest pilgrimage to Bagdwar, the source of the Bagmati, follows the sacred river to its tiger-mouth spring. On the western flank, the Jamacho Gompa hike in Nagarjun climbs through dense forest to a stupa with sweeping valley views.
Tap any hike below for the trailhead, distance, climb and how to get there from the city.
Choose your hike
- Big climbs: The Shivapuri Peak hike and the through-trek from Mulkharka to Chisapani are the most demanding, each a full day on the trail.
- Forest and pilgrimage: Walk to Bagdwar, source of the Bagmati, or the steady stair climb from Sundarijal to Mulkharka past the city's water reservoir.
- Gentle half-days: The Nagi Gompa hike and the open grassland of the Suryachaur meadow hike suit families and slower walkers.
- Views and ridges: The Tarebhir cliff hike gives a dramatic clifftop perch above the valley, while the Kakani to Shivapuri ridge hike traverses the high western forest.
- Nagarjun side: The Jamacho Gompa hike starts from the Phulbari gate near the Ring Road.
Permits and gates
Shivapuri Nagarjun is a national park, so an entry fee applies and is collected at the gates — Pani Muhan above Budhanilkantha for Shivapuri Peak, Nagi Gompa and Bagdwar; Sundarijal for the Mulkharka and Chisapani trails; and Phulbari for the Nagarjun (Jamacho) side. Foreigners, SAARC nationals and Nepalis pay different rates, so carry cash in Nepali rupees. Gates open early in the morning; start at sunrise for the clearest mountain views and to be back before afternoon clouds build.
Good to know
Most of these trails begin at the valley's northern edge, easily reached by taxi from central Kathmandu — the Pani Muhan gate sits just above the Sleeping Vishnu temple at Budhanilkantha, and many hikers pair a summit walk with a visit there. The best season is October to April for clear skies; see our notes on the best time to visit Kathmandu. These hikes are an excellent warm-up before bigger Himalayan routes — browse more options in our guide to trekking from Kathmandu and the national overview of the best day hikes near Kathmandu.
For more on the valley and its many surroundings, start from the Kathmandu hub.
Our top picks
Frequently asked questions
What are the best hikes in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park?+
The classic is the climb to Shivapuri Peak at 2,732 m, the second-highest point on the valley rim. Other favourites are the gentle walk to Nagi Gompa, the forest pilgrimage to Bagdwar (source of the Bagmati), the Sundarijal–Mulkharka–Chisapani trail, and the Jamacho Gompa loop on the Nagarjun side.
Do I need a permit for Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park?+
Yes. There is a national park entry fee collected at the gates — Pani Muhan (Budhanilkantha), Sundarijal and Phulbari (Nagarjun). Foreign visitors, SAARC nationals and Nepalis pay different rates; bring cash in Nepali rupees.
How hard are the Shivapuri hikes?+
They range from easy to strenuous. Nagi Gompa and Suryachaur are short and gentle, while Shivapuri Peak and the Sundarijal–Chisapani route involve long, sustained climbs of several hours. All are doable as day hikes from Kathmandu.
When is the best time to hike around Shivapuri?+
October to April is ideal — clear skies, cool air and the best chance of Himalayan views. Avoid the June to September monsoon, when trails are muddy, leeches appear in the forest and clouds hide the mountains.
