One Day Treks in Nepal : Quick Escapes into Himalayan Nature

Nepal is renowned for its longer-distance treks and higher-altitude expeditions that are the hallmark of the trekking world. There are also ways to experience the natural beauty of the Himalayas without spending several days on the trail.

One-day treks in Nepal provide a great option for those who have limited time, those who are just getting started with outdoor activities, parents with children looking to get some exercise while in a busy urban environment, and anyone wanting an opportunity to soak in some fresh air outside of their busy work life. One-day treks allow you to combine mountain views, culture, ease of logistics, and accessible trails into a fantastic experience.

This guide focuses on some of the best-known one-day treks in Nepal, highlighting rewarding and well-trafficked routes found around Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Nagarkot Day-Hike (From Kathmandu)

Nagarkot is one of Nepal's most popular destinations for day hikes in the Kathmandu Valley, located on a ridge between 2,067 and 2,195 meters above sea level.

Highlights

• Himalayan Sunrise Views: On a clear day, views extend from Langtang to Everest and beyond; there will be a complete panoramic view of the Himalayas from Nagarkot.
• Hiking Trails: The trek is approximately 12 km long and will take approximately 3–4 hours. The greater part of the route is through Tamang village with easy hiking and mountain views along the way.
• Cultural experience: Many itineraries for this trek pair the hike with a visit to Changu Narayan, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with centuries-old architecture, sculptures, and paintings.

Typical Experience

Most people who take a day hike to Nagarkot begin their day with a comfortable morning transfer from Kathmandu to the Nagarkot Sunrise Viewpoint and an estimated total of 4–7 hours, depending on the selected route for their return trek to valley areas that include Bhaktapur or Changunarayan.

Who is this for? Beginners, families, photographers, and visitors with short stays. 

Fitness level: Easy to moderate.

Ranikot Village Day Hike (From Kathmandu)

If you're looking for a calm and peaceful way to enjoy authentic rural Nepal while being relatively close to Kathmandu, consider taking a day hike to Ranikot Village. 

Highlights

• Experience local culture and lifestyle as you walk along the trails that go through rural settlements, temples, and traditional agricultural fields.
  
  
• Spectacular views of mountain peaks from the top of hills on a clear day. On a clear day, you can see the Manaslu range, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang from different hills along the way.
  
  
• Unlike most hill stations that are located near the city, Ranikot's hillside location provides a much more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere that allows for an enjoyable getaway from the hectic and crowded hills of Kathmandu.

Typical Experience

The hike starts in Bhaktapur and takes approximately 5-6 hours round-trip, depending on how many points of interest are explored on the trek. Depending on your interests, you may choose to explore the forest areas and/or meet some of the locals who live in Ranikot. 

Who is this for? Nature Lovers, Culture Seekers, Easy Walkers

Fitness level: Easy

Champadevi Hill Trek (Kathmandu)

Champadevi Hill Trek is located at a high altitude near the forests of Kathmandu Valley. It begins from the lush green forest, making its way to a ridge that has dramatic views of the Kathmandu Valley and some of the very scenic Himalayan ranges.

Highlights

Forest trail and ridge: You’ll be walking through a combination of pine and typical Himalayan mixed forests that provide both cover from the sun as well as an incredible variety of seasonal flora and fauna. 

Amazing valley and mountain views: you can expect many spectacular views of Kathmandu, Patan, and some very distant mountain ranges (Langtang) on a clear day.

Typical Experience

A round-trip hike from the Kathmandu hills takes around 5-6 hours, and most people choose to take a cable car back down from Chandragiri Hills after the hike. 

Who is this for: This trek is for those who want to experience different types of terrain and shade while walking. 

Fitness level: This is a fairly easy to moderate fitness level trek.

One-Day Hikes Around Pokhara

If you are in Pokhara, you can find many single-day hikes in the surrounding hill country of Pokhara: 

Dhampus Village Trek

This is a scenic hike that departs from Pokhara and provides an excellent view of the Himalayas and all the Gurung villages along the way.  

Thulakot Hill Trek

This trek is a newly checked-out trail, which gives you a great view of Begnas Lake, the peaks around it, and the lush green countryside of Pokhara. It usually takes 5 to 6 hours to complete the hike.  

Australian Camp Day Hike

A classic hill trek from Pokhara that you can do in a circular route, going through Dhampus, or go directly from Kande. This trek lasts around 5 to 7 hours, depending on how fast you go.  

Peace Stupa and Pumdikot Day Hike

A quiet and relaxing walk that takes you to views of beautiful mountains, with the end of the hike at Peace Stupa or at one of the hilltops looking into the valley and at the lake.  

Sarangkot-Naudanda Trek

A one-day hike for the Sarangkot/Naudanda hike, which allows you to see the sunrise or sunset from both viewpoints at Sarangkot or Naudanda; when the visibility is best, you can see the Annapurna Range.

Choosing the Right One-Day Trek

• Beginner's Choice: Nagarkot, Ranikot
• Cultural Experience: Ranikot, Champadevi
• Amazingly Elaborate Scenery: Nagarkot Sunrise, Pokhara Hill Routes
• Best for Families & Children: Nagarkot, Dhampus, Moderate pace

Each of these day hikes is adaptable depending on individual schedules and fitness levels. No specialised equipment is required, just comfortable hiking shoes, layered clothing, water, and a few basic snacks. 

Why One-Day Hikes Matter in Nepal

One-day hikes are no longer just short jogs from place to place but are easy access to the rich diversity of ocean currents and the traditional lifestyle of the Nepalese people and are also very important for the logistically constrained traveller to have on his or her travel itinerary. Instead of just a longer trek, they can be utilised on their own as an experience to enhance a hiker's memory of Nepal's culture and geography during a very limited time in Nepal.