Hiking Shivapuri National Park Hills

Trip Facts:

Trip Name: Hiking Shivapuri National Park Hills
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Max Elevation: Approximately 2,300m / 7,546ft
Hiking Duration: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
Walking Distance: Approximately 7 to 8 km
Total Days: 01 Day

Hiking Shivapuri National Park Hills

The one-day Shivapuri National Park Hike is a refreshing escape into the protected forests north of Kathmandu. Starting near Budhanilkantha, the trail climbs through quiet woodland to Nagi Gompa, a peaceful Buddhist nunnery around 2,300m. With forest scenery, birdlife, valley views, and four to five hours of walking, it is an ideal nature and culture hike close to the capital.

Shivapuri National Park Hike Overview

Hiking Shivapuri National Park Hills is one of the easiest ways to experience genuine forest walking without traveling far from Kathmandu. The journey begins with a drive north towards Budhanilkantha, around 11 km from central Kathmandu, before entering Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and climbing through its protected southern forests.

The standard Basanta Adventure route focuses on Nagi Gompa rather than climbing all the way to Shivapuri Peak at 2,732m. This keeps the hike comfortable for a one-day excursion while still providing several hours of steady uphill walking. Nagi Gompa sits at approximately 2,300m and provides a peaceful cultural destination surrounded by forest and views across Kathmandu Valley.

The Shivapuri National Park hike is easy to moderate, with the main challenge coming from continuous uphill walking, stone sections, forest paths, roots, and occasional slippery trails. A standard Nagi Gompa-focused hike normally takes around four to five hours, depending on pace, trail conditions, and time spent around the monastery.

September to May generally offers the best conditions for hiking in Shivapuri, with spring and autumn particularly suitable for comfortable temperatures and clearer views. June to August is the rainy period, when trails can become muddy and slippery. A Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit is required, while no TIMS Card or high-altitude trekking permit is necessary for this day hike.

Experience the Shivapuri National Park Hike with Basanta Adventure

The Shivapuri National Park Hike is a rewarding one-day journey into one of Kathmandu Valley’s most important protected natural areas, combining forest walking, birdlife, valley views, and the peaceful cultural setting of Nagi Gompa.

Basanta Adventure has been organizing Himalayan journeys since 1998. Our decades of experience leading treks through the Annapurna region and other parts of Nepal have given our team practical knowledge of guiding, trail management, transportation, weather conditions, guest safety, and reliable day-to-day logistics.

For the Shivapuri National Park Hike, we coordinate transportation from Kathmandu, national park entry arrangements, an experienced guide, walking times, lunch, and the return journey. This allows you to enjoy the forest and Nagi Gompa without worrying about finding the correct trail, arranging permits, or organizing transport after the hike.

Basanta Adventure is ISO 9001:2015 certified and follows sustainable and responsible tourism policies. Because Shivapuri is both a protected national park and an important watershed for Kathmandu Valley, we encourage hikers to stay on established trails, avoid littering, reduce unnecessary plastic waste, respect wildlife, and behave appropriately around Nagi Gompa.

Our experience also extends beyond Nepal through decades of organizing Tibet tours, pilgrimages, and Himalayan expeditions. This wider background in remote logistics and culturally sensitive travel supports the same careful planning and dependable service we bring to our shorter hiking programs around Kathmandu.

Basanta Adventure — Crafting journeys with care, passion and purpose.