Many believe that mountain biking is the fastest-growing sport in this incredible country when it comes to outdoor adventure in Nepal. In the early days, the few cyclists all knew each other and went to explore the Kathmandu Valley together every weekend and took often long journeys. The cycling scene now has evolved so that you can see people riding from a new flash bike to an old iron horse every Saturday, but all for the same purpose to enjoy the freedom and the pleasure of a great trip.
Biking in Nepal may have evolved at lightning speed, but the paths are old, with a snug mind! Nobody can tell how many kilometers, since the entire country is crossed by walking tracks, smoothly pounded up by untold generative feet, walk through the valley and across the country for trade, festivals, and family visits. Some of our favorite places are rough and completely wild with no easy way out while others are close to the city offering nearly endless variations - in stylish hotels or in tea houses or hiking, from one day to a week or more.
Mountain Biking Trails in Nepal
1) Mustang:
The crew in Strong In Numbers and Red Bull again brought this place to the world stage by Where The Trail Ends as a motorsport mecca. There are so many great trails that each trip you can customize – about 5 days to 10 days – and still have fun. Lower Mustang is available.
The Upper Mustang is rather remote and is also a small area (it costs as long as you have a permit), but the extra cost is worth the visit to the old fortified town of Lo Manthang and to the dirt the Red Bull crew has looked for in the world. Highlights – very beautiful scenery, amazing culture, and unforgettable trails.
2) The Annapurna Circuit:
The high pass of the Thorung La is only the most devoted mountain bikers on the Annapurna Trekking Circuit. Some tour operators have the option of transporting the plane, bus, and mule up, followed by an amazing downhill. If the whole circuit is beyond the control of most people, one of their arms can be followed upwards, turn and go down in the same direction more often. The East is the most famous hand. Attractive roads lead to Besisahar, which allows you to ride through the Marsyangdi Valley to Manang, while you can be up to a quarter of your vehicle.
It normally takes 7-10 days to travel from Pokhara to Manang. The west side of the track is less diverse at first although a new road from Birethanti to Tatopani via Ghorepani will be constructed shortly. At present, however, there is a fairly uninterrupted 80km climb up Kali Gandaki from Beni to Jomsom, 90km from Pokhara to Beni. The dusty, Tibetan-style roads above Jomosom and the very flat roads lead to Muktinath (and, with a special permit, Upper Mustang).
3) Kathmandu Valley Area
a) Shivapuri National Park:
Shivapuri National Park, forested on the northern bank of Kathmandu Valley, provides great opportunities. Right at the Budhanilkantha entry, the little-used dirt road network starts. The path to the left snakes typically for a minimum of 15 kilometers west, at which point Kakani is about 2 kilometers further east along the ridge along a road with some difficult techniques (some carrying required). From Kakani to Budhanilkantha this trip is more fun. Take the Tokha Hospital for a shorter route from and to Budhanilkantha, and then descend on a steep, sandy path.
b) Around Nagarkot:
Before you are nearly infinite, choices are Nagarkot. Rough routes and paths go all way: northwest towards Sankhu, Southwest towards Changu Narayan, South towards Nala and Banepa, East towards Hiuwapati, Spaghat, and Panchkhal, and North towards Chisopani and the Helambu paths. There are still countless forks, many leading to dead ends and unfortunate descents, and so don't ride alone.
If you are an extremely strong rider, you possibly would want to spend the night visiting Nagarkot the next morning because, if you are a strong rider, you will be everything you care about. Most cyclist tour operators take two-day trips to Kathmandu Valley with more fun roads like transportation up and an overnight stay and the incredible descent.
c) Araniko Highway:
Katmandu's Arniko Highway, Kodari's Tibet frontier, is a three- to five-day, adventurous journey. After heavy traffic at Dhulikhel on the South road to Sindhuli, Bardibas, and the Terai, the road gets much calmer and better for cycling - consider approaching via Nagarkot, Nala, or across the Lakuri Bhanjyang. The Arniko road goes down 600 m from Dhulikhel to the border, where it climbs more than 800 m. The main road to Palanchowk, which is a gateway to the Sun Koshi River, allows you to go on a fascinating side trip.
You must enter a tour if you want to cross the border on a bike. Some companies have adventurous hikes to and from Tibet, including the so-called "longest downhill," an 11-day round trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa to enjoy the epic drop from Yale Shungla (Tibet) to Dolaghat (Nepal) - 4380m over 157 km.
4) Pokhara Valley:
More on roads and motorcycle destinations in that state can be found in the Pokhara Valley account. A couple of recommended routes are provided below, but patience, local guidance, and strong map reading skills are needed to take advantage of them – it is recommended to hire a guide. The Prithvi motorway, because of the volumes of trucks and microbuses, and other vehicles can be not recommended if you plan to bike from Kathmandu to Pokhara. It'd better place your bike on the roof of a truck, or schedule an ambitious multiday trip through Trisuli Bazaar, Dhading, Gorkha, and the Marsyangdi Valley for at least five days.