Nepal is a premier destination for trail running/trekking, offering a vast array of trails that cater to all levels of experience, from easy hikes to challenging high-altitude expeditions. The country is home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks, and its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality make it a top choice for trekkers globally.
Here are some of the most famous trekking trails in Nepal:
- Everest Region Trails
- Everest Base Camp Trail (EBC): This is arguably the most famous trail in the world. It takes you to the foot of Mount Everest, offering stunning views of the world's highest peak and other surrounding mountains. The trail passes through Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and the Sagarmatha National Park, providing an immersive cultural experience.
- Everest Three Passes Trail: A challenging but highly rewarding trek that includes the Everest Base Camp route. This trail crosses three high-altitude passes—Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La—and offers incredible, unobstructed views of the Everest and Khumbu regions.
- Gokyo Lakes Trail: A less-crowded alternative to the classic EBC route, this trail takes you to the pristine, turquoise-colored Gokyo Lakes. The highlight is the hike to Gokyo Ri, a peak that provides breathtaking panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
- Annapurna Region Trails
- Annapurna Circuit Trail: This classic route circumnavigates the entire Annapurna massif, showcasing an incredible variety of landscapes, from lush green rice paddies and subtropical forests to arid, high-altitude deserts. The highest point is the Thorung La Pass, one of the highest navigable passes in the world.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trail (ABC): This route leads you into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, a natural amphitheater surrounded by a wall of towering peaks, including Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain). It's a moderate route that provides spectacular, up-close mountain views.
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trail: Known as the 'Apple Pie Circuit,' this is a shorter and easier trek suitable for those with limited time or less trekking experience. The main attraction is the sunrise view from Poon Hill, which offers a magnificent panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
- Mardi Himal Trail: A newer and less-traveled route in the Annapurna region, the Mardi Himal Trek offers a peaceful and intimate trekking experience. It leads through rhododendron forests and provides stunning close-up views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.
- Other Notable Trails
- Manaslu Circuit Trail: This route is a fantastic alternative to the more crowded routes. It circles Mount Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest peak, and takes you through a remote region with a unique Tibetan-influenced culture. The trail is known for its rugged beauty and authentic cultural immersion.
- Langtang Valley Trail: Located relatively close to Kathmandu, the Langtang Valley Trek is an accessible option that still offers a true Himalayan experience. The trail winds through beautiful forests and alpine meadows to the Kyangjin Gompa monastery, with stunning views of Langtang Lirung and other peaks.
- Upper Mustang Trail: Known as the 'Forbidden Kingdom,' the Upper Mustang region was off-limits to foreigners until 1992. This route takes you to a unique, arid landscape in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, where you can explore ancient walled cities, caves, and monasteries with a strong Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trail: An adventurous and remote trek to the base of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak. This is a long and challenging route that is less frequented by tourists, offering a true wilderness experience and a glimpse into the culture of the Rai and Limbu ethnic groups.