Trekking · Kathmandu
Shivapuri to Sundarijal Trek
A forest walk over Shivapuri Peak down to the Sundarijal gorge on Kathmandu's northern rim, inside the national park.
The Shivapuri to Sundarijal trek is the green, forested stage of the valley rim — a walk over Shivapuri Peak (about 2,732 m) and down through the Sundarijal gorge on Kathmandu's northern edge, entirely within Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. It trades the open ridge views of the eastern routes for dense broadleaf and pine forest, birdlife and the sacred source pools of the valley's rivers. It is the nature-focused leg of our Kathmandu Valley rim treks collection and the reverse of the popular first day on the Sundarijal to Chisapani to Nagarkot trek.
The short answer
Climb through forest to Shivapuri Peak, then descend to the Sundarijal gorge — about 15 to 18 kilometres over six to eight hours, moderate with a long ascent and a steep stepped descent. The whole walk is inside the national park, so a park entry fee is required, and both trailheads sit within an hour of central Kathmandu.
The route
The usual start is near Budhanilkantha at the Pani Muhan gate, where the path climbs steadily through the forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, passing the Buddhist nunnery of Nagi Gompa before reaching the wooded summit of Shivapuri Peak. The park records more than three hundred bird species, and the climb is as much a wildlife walk as a viewpoint trek. From the top, trails drop east past Mulkharka village to the Sundarijal gorge, where a stepped path follows a cascading stream and old water pipelines down to the road.
Sacred water and the gorge
Shivapuri is more than a recreation forest — its hills hold the sacred source pools of the Bagmati and Bishnumati, the rivers that flow through the heart of the valley, and the park protects the green watershed that feeds the city. The descent into the Sundarijal gorge is the scenic finish, busy with picnicking families near the lower falls at weekends. From Sundarijal you can also link straight onto the ridge toward Chisapani, as the full valley rim circuit does.
Difficulty, season and permits
The walk is moderate, the challenge being the long forest ascent and the steep gorge descent rather than altitude. Spring (March–April) brings rhododendron bloom and birdsong; autumn and winter give the clearest summit views. The monsoon is best avoided for mud and leeches. The only permit is the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry fee, paid at the gate. For shorter options nearby, see the best day hikes near Kathmandu.
Good to know
- Carry cash for the park fee and a passport for the checkpoint.
- Wear proper footwear — the gorge steps are steep and slippery when wet.
- Start early to enjoy the forest before midday cloud and weekend crowds.
- Both trailheads are an hour from the city; see getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Shivapuri to Sundarijal trek?+
Done as a day, the climb to Shivapuri Peak and descent to Sundarijal is about 15 to 18 kilometres and six to eight hours of walking. It can be split with a night near Nagi Gompa or Mulkharka, and the route is often combined with the onward ridge to Chisapani.
How high is Shivapuri Peak?+
Shivapuri Peak rises to about 2,732 metres, the second-highest hill on the Kathmandu Valley rim after Phulchowki. It is the high point of the walk, with a forest summit and, on clear days, views toward the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges to the north.
Do you need a permit?+
Yes. The whole route lies inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, so you pay the park entry fee at a gate — typically Pani Muhan near Budhanilkantha on the way up, or above Sundarijal on the descent. Carry cash and a passport for the checkpoint.
Is the walk difficult?+
It is moderate, with a sustained forest climb to the summit and a steep stepped descent through the Sundarijal gorge. There is no altitude risk, but the ascent is long, so reasonable fitness, an early start and good footwear are recommended.
