Overview
The Kathmandu Valley is a bowl about twenty-five kilometres across with a forested rim rising to 2,700 metres. Footpaths have connected the rim villages for a thousand years, and they turn out to make outstanding singletrack.
Four days, three of them substantial, with a support vehicle carrying the bags and anyone who has had enough.
The riding
Shivapuri on day one: a shuttle to the park gate, a climb to Nagi Gompa, and then a long descent through rhododendron and pine on trail that is technical enough to concentrate the mind without frightening anyone.
Nagarkot on day two is the work — 42 kilometres and 1,400 metres of climbing to the ridge, past Changu Narayan.
Day three is the payoff: sunrise over the Himalaya, ridge singletrack running south, and then 1,300 metres of descent into Bhaktapur with almost no climbing in it. If you ride one day of this trip, ride that one.
The trails themselves
These are working paths. Stone-paved in stretches, cut into terraces, with staircases and water bars and people walking on them. Ride accordingly — the guide will slow the group through villages, and that is not negotiable.
Bikes and support
Full-suspension hire is available and well maintained, with a mechanic travelling with the group. Bring your own pedals, shoes, helmet and shorts whatever you decide about the bike.
The support vehicle carries bags, spares, water and riders. Nobody is required to complete a climb.
Best season
October to March. Dry trails, clear air and the best Himalayan views from the ridge. The monsoon makes the singletrack unrideable and brings leeches into the forest.
Highlights
- Shivapuri singletrack through rhododendron and pine
- The Nagarkot ridge with the Himalaya on your left
- 1,300 m of descent into Bhaktapur in one run
- Ancient stone-paved trade paths
- A support vehicle, so you can stop whenever you want
Day by day
The full 4 days
Where you are, what you do, how you travel and where you sleep — each day a structured record rather than a paragraph.
- Day 1
Shivapuri
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
- Shuttle to the Shivapuri gate
- Climb to Nagi Gompa, then singletrack descent through the forest
- Skills check and bike set-up on the way
- Transport
- Shuttle up, ride down
- Sleep
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Time
- 5 hours riding
28 km, about 700 m of climbing and 1,100 m of descent.
- Day 2
Kathmandu to Nagarkot
Nagarkot
- Ride out through Sankhu and Changu Narayan
- The long climb to the Nagarkot ridge
- Sunset from the rim
- Sleep
- Ridge lodge, Nagarkot (2,100 m)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Time
- 6 hours riding
42 km, 1,400 m of climbing. The hardest day; the vehicle is there if you want it.
- Day 3
Nagarkot ridge to Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
- Sunrise over the Himalaya from the ridge
- Ridge singletrack south toward Dhulikhel
- The long descent into Bhaktapur
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square on foot
- Sleep
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Time
- 5 hours riding
35 km, 1,300 m of descent and very little climbing. The best day.
- Day 4
Nagarjun and the valley's western rim
Nagarjun
- Nagarjun forest loop
- Final descent to Swayambhunath
- Sleep
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Time
- 4 hours riding
24 km, 600 m of climbing.
Map
Where this tour goes
Price
What $520–$950 covers
Three nights, guiding and support vehicle; the higher figure includes full-suspension bike hire
Included
- Qualified mountain bike guide and a mechanic
- Support vehicle with spares throughout
- Three nights' accommodation with breakfast
- Shivapuri park entry
- Helmet, gloves and basic protection
Not included
- Bike hire at the lower price point
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal insurance covering mountain biking
Frequently asked questions
How fit do you need to be?
How technical are the trails?
Should you bring your own bike?
What about traffic?
When should you ride?
About the author
Tom Eriksen
Gear editor & photographer
Tom tests trekking equipment the only way that produces honest answers: by carrying it for weeks at a time above 4,000 metres. He shoots most of the photography on this site and writes the gear reviews, comparison tables and packing lists.
Writes about: Trekking gear · Photography · Packing and weight
