Nepal is one of the best travel destinations in the world. It often ranks world’s number one tourist destination despite some ups and down in tourism sector due to natural disasters and pandemics. Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal.
Also known as ‘Lake City’, Pokhara is full of scenic beauties that people often compare it with Paradise with the majestic view of Annapurna Range.
There are beautiful lakes with the backdrop of Fishtail Mountain peak with its reflection on them. It is also a gateway to Nepal's popular trekking area with the pristine trails, natural beauties and living cultures which you will not find in other parts of the globe. Pokhara is like my second home where I am always longing to go. There are hundreds of hiking trails in and around Pokhara. Five among the best hiking trails located around the 'Lake City' have been mentioned below:
Rupa Lake hiking trail
Rupa lake is or Rupal Tal is the 3rd biggest lake in Pokhara of Kaski district. It’s very close to another popular lake called Begnas. You can visit both of them at the same time. If you are in Pokhara and planning to spend time hiking for one week so you had better start from Rupa. You take taxi, bus, or your private vehicle from Tal Chowk and drive almost 5km, you will arrive in Begnas and in another few minutes’ you will arrive at Rupa Lake. You can take breakfast in some of the restaurants at Sundaridanda and start hiking from there. There are no proper trail marks but it is not that difficult to find the trail. Just ask locals about the new suspension bridge above the lake they will tell you the best trail to reach there.
So once you find the trail you go towards the bridge. The bridge is the shortest way to cross the lake and it’s very beautiful you can enjoy from the bridge. It is the same bridge which became viral on social media, recently. It’s only the suspension bridge built above lakes in Nepal. After crossing the bridge, you will have three options for hiking: one is take a trail on the right and make a half circle of the lake with no climb. Here you arrive one sport for best for bird watching.
The second option is to go straight up to Adhikari Gaun and continue to Rupakot Resort for overnight stay and the last option to take a trail on the left toward Talbesi where you will find a beautiful village. Your hiking ends here. Go back to Sundaridanda where you will have options either taking public vehicle or giving a few kilometers to your legs.
Damside to World Peace Pagoda hiking trail
World Peace Pagoda is one of the best places in Pokhara to visit but if you are hiking, you can hike from Damside to Peace Pagoda which takes almost 2-3 hours depending on your speed. There are other trails as well to reach there. It’s popular trail in Pokhara.
Once you arrive here you will see stunning mountain views. World Peace Pagoda is situated at an altitude of 1,100 meters from the sea level. It’s the best place to view the sunset and the Annapurna Mountain Range. Once you are there you will never feel going back home. So you can book hotels around and stay there. You will get another chance to enjoy the sunrise. The view of sunrise from World Peace Pagoda looks quite astonishing.
Pumdikot-Pumdi-Bhumdi hiking trail
Pumdikot hill is one of the best tourist attractions in Pokhara and now after construction of a huge Shiva statue it’s more famous for the visitors. Pumdikot is situated at an altitude around 1,600 meeters from the sea level and Mountain View from there is unbelievable. So if you stay around World Peace Pagoda or maybe at Raniban, so you will have an opportunity to explore this area. You can hike up to Pumdikot and visit Lord Shiva’s statue. And also you must visit Pumdi Bhumdi, it’s not so far and there is no big climb.
If you walk 100 meters down the Shiva’s statue through a wide road, you will see small a trail on your right. This trail will lead you to Kalabung Gaun were you will see beautiful traditional houses and homestays. This is one of my best villages in Nepal. I have been there more than five times and still feel going again to enjoy local foods and typical Nepali cultures. You can hike up to Pumdi-Bhumdi and come back to Pumdikot or back to Pokhara.
Sarangkot- Kaskikot hiking trail
If you know Pokhara I think you have heard about Sarangkot because this hill is famous for breathtaking mountain views and sunrise in the world. Sarankot is the place where you see a wide range of Mountain View. Sarankot is not only famous for sunrise but also good place for hiking. There is one very beautiful trail from Sarangkot to Kaskikot in the same ridge.
It’s quite difficult to find the starting point of the hiking trail due to lack of signs. But easy way to find it is just cross Cable Car station and keep following the blacktopped road until uou see reach the zipline station. Behind the station lies a small bamboo gate.
This is the starting point of the trail. Follow the trail. After waking for around 100 meters, you will find an old jeep road leading towards the ridge. After walking another one kilometers you will arrive at Paragliding flying zone but keep going through the jeep road. After walking for around 12 kilometers you reach Naudanda.
There is a wheelchair friendly trail stretching for about 3 kilometers from where you can view breather-taking snow-capped mountain picks.
Dhampus-Astam hiking trail
Dhampus is another famous village of Kaski district which is also a gateway to the Annapurna Conservation Area, Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Trek. Dhampus is also famous for short days’ trek and overnight stay because its very close to city. Dhampus lies to the north from Pokhara which offers wonderful mountain views from very close distance.
Hiking from Dhampus to Astam is very easy gradual downhill through the old traditional Gurung village. The total distance from Dhampus to Astam is around 12 kilometers so you can do a day-hike maybe start after breakfast at Dhampus and have lunch on the way where there are very beautiful homestays.
You will also have an opportunity to experience village life and explore Gurung cultures and their great hospitality and food is amazing. You can finish your hike in Astam and stay one night there in some of the hotels there or call your vehicle there to pick you up. A four-wheel vehicle is better for this road.
Therefore, if you are hiking or nature lover you must visit these places and you will not regret after your trip.
All photo by Ashish Mishra
