From the high Himalayas to the lush green foothills, from arid plateaus to shimmering glaciers, Nepal offers an incomparable array of hiking trails. If there’s a better—and easier—place to trek anywhere in the world, we’ve yet to find it.
Many of Nepal’s most celebrated treks pass through national parks or protected areas; however, permits and park fees are mostly inexpensive. Teahouses and trekking lodges are commonplace along most popular trails, while some routes involve camping. Moreover, many treks near internal borders can only be attempted as organized adventures through approved agencies.
Whether you fancy a short, relaxed hike during a fleeting visit to the mountains or a challenging multi-week expedition over high passes, Nepal has treks for all levels of fitness and experience. Here are the best hikes in Nepal.
1. Everest Base Camp
Best for Everest views
130km (80.7 miles); 14–20 days; hard
The most famous trek in Nepal—if not the world—is the two-week trip to Everest Base Camp, attracting thousands of trekkers annually. It starts and finishes at the precariously balanced airstrip in Lukla, offering fascinating insights into Sherpa culture and the chance to gaze at the tallest mountain on Earth, known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in neighboring Tibet.
High-quality lodges line the entire route; however, trails can become very busy, particularly during the October–November high season. Few who complete the two- to three-week route are disappointed. If you’re looking for a calmer trek, consider some of the less crowded routes that wind through the foothills around Everest, like the stunning trek to Gokyo and the Three Passes Trek.
2. Annapurna Circuit
Best for diverse scenery
160–230km (99.4–142.9 miles); 10–17 days; hard
As the most popular trek in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit is stunningly varied. While walking, you’ll encounter plunging valleys, deep gorges, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks, passing through Gurung, Manangi, and Thakali villages. The route, accessible from Pokhara, is dotted with comfortable lodges and important Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites. Its high point—literally and figuratively—is the 5416m (17,768ft) Thorong La, the mountain pass that transports you from green foothills to the arid Trans-Himalayan plateau.
Best walked counter-clockwise, this trail boasts numerous extension options and side trips, such as the rewarding week-long trek to the villages of Nar and Phu. Be mindful that the Annapurna Circuit gets very busy in peak season. Due to road building, some sections are more developed than you might expect, meaning the route shortens every year as roads reach new villages.
3. Manaslu Circuit
Best alternative to the Annapurna Circuit
Around 180km (111.8 miles); 16 days; hard
Travelers seeking a quieter trail than the renowned Annapurna Circuit but a similar dramatic scenery range should consider the Manaslu Circuit, located to the east of the Annapurna massif. This excellent trekking route centers around Manaslu, the world’s eighth tallest peak at 8163m (26,781ft).
The Manaslu Circuit trek features everything from steamy jungles to breathtaking mountain passes, natural hot springs, and tranquil villages. En route, cross gorges on suspension bridges and hike through emerald-green foothills adorned with rice paddies.
4. Annapurna Sanctuary
Best for mountain scenery
Around 115km (71.4 miles); 10–14 days; moderate to hard
Few sights in the Himalayas can compare to the magnificent Annapurna Sanctuary, an elevated, amphitheater-like plateau north of Pokhara. Encircled by towering glaciers and sky-piercing mountains, this lofty basin is the centerpiece of an enjoyable teahouse trek, showcasing some of Nepal’s finest mountain vistas. Along the trail, you’ll encounter Gurung villages, terraced rice fields, natural hot springs, and dense forests. Just bear in mind that the Annapurna Sanctuary is a popular route, so don’t expect solitude on the trails.
5. Ghandruk Loop
Nepal’s best short trek
25km (15.5 miles); 3 days; easy
If you’re a novice hiker or pressed for time, head to Pokhara, a starting point for several short and rewarding treks in the Annapurna foothills. One standout route is the Ghandruk Loop, which takes you through rice paddies, blooming rhododendron forests, and Gurung villages, with accommodation ranging from simple teahouses to well-equipped lodges.
The first day mirrors the opening section of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, offering superb mountain views along this relatively steep route, which can be comfortably hiked in winter, spring, or fall due to its low altitude.
6. Langtang Valley
Best one-week trek
Around 65–80km (40.3–49.7 miles); 7–8 days; moderate
The popular trekking route through the Langtang Valley—resembling a super-charged version of the Alps—packs a lot of trekking wonders within just a week. Conveniently close to Kathmandu and accessible by public bus, it reduces your carbon footprint as well.
Starting at Syabrubesi, this teahouse trek transitions from pastureland, bamboo groves, and waterfalls to soaring mountains and creaking glaciers. Furthermore, if you have a few extra days, extend your trek to the sacred lakes at Gosainkunda, which are surrounded by ice-capped mountains at an altitude of 4400m (14,436ft).
7. Tamang Heritage Trail
Best cultural trek
Around 55km (34.1 miles); 6 days; moderate
Nepal’s trekking routes are known for immersing travelers in stunning Himalayan scenery; however, the Tamang Heritage Trail focuses on rich cultural insights while also offering spectacular views. The trek begins at Syabrubesi and loops through the hills, linking a series of traditional Tamang villages.
Many of these villages provide homestay accommodations, giving you a chance to learn more about Tamang Buddhist culture—originating across the border in Tibet—and the daily lives of the people thriving in this far-flung region. Moreover, you will encounter beautiful Buddhist temples, monuments, and sacred sites along the way.
8. Kanchenjunga Base Camp
Best for escaping the crowds
Around 220km (136.7 miles); 14–28 days; hard
If you seek to escape the crowds that flock to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna trails during high season, the little-visited foothills of Kanchenjunga in far eastern Nepal are perfect. This wild and remote region sees only a handful of trekkers each season and can only be explored via organized treks.
Two challenging but rewarding trails lead to the northern and southern base camps utilized by climbers tackling the world’s third-tallest peak. Along the way, you’ll camp or stay in rustic teahouses in isolated villages while traversing through empty valleys, pastures, and mountain forests. You will encounter several high passes before enjoying majestic views of Kanchenjunga, often without the disturbance of other trekkers.
9. Nagarkot to Dhulikhel
Best day hike in Nepal
20km (12.4 miles); 1 day; easy
The edges of the Kathmandu Valley are lined with easily accessible trails, ideal for half- or full-day hikes—most reachable by local bus or taxi from Kathmandu. One of the best trails links the ridge-top village of Nagarkot with the picturesque Newari town of Dhulikhel, both famous for their stunning views of the Himalayas, especially at sunrise.
This trail is part of the longer Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail and can be enhanced with worthwhile side trips to Panauti, one of Nepal’s oldest towns, and the Buddhist center of Namobuddha. Importantly, no permits or park fees are required.
10. Great Himalayan Trail
Best epic adventure
2500km (1553 miles); 50–160 days; hard
For travelers with ample time, a significant budget, boundless energy, and a desire for adventure, the Great Himalayan Trail represents the ultimate challenge. Stretching the length of the Nepali Himalayas, this extraordinary route encourages trekkers to explore off the beaten path, fostering tourism’s economic benefits across a wider range of communities.
Crossing the country from Kanchenjunga to the far west of Nepal, this trek is as much a logistical endeavor as a physical achievement, especially since arranging necessary trekking permits ahead of time is required. Instead of completing the trail in one go, a more realistic objective involves segmenting it over several years.
This article was first published on Feb 3, 2022, and updated on Dec 23, 2023.
