Nepal is bikers’ heaven with rolling hills, picturesque scenery, and thrilling trails. It can be attempted by beginners and experts alike as a lifetime bike trip. Nepal’s top eight mountain bike trails are described below from difficult Himalayan high-altitude roads, culture loops, and valley rides.
Annapurna Circuit
Nepal’s finest circuit and one of the world’s most thrilling bike tours is the Annapurna Circuit. Off-the-beaten-path villages, rolling gorges enticing and mountain cruises are provided by the tour. The crowning glory of the tour is the 5,416m high Thorong La Pass with breathtaking peaks of regal scenery.
Motorbike ride on different landscape like razorback ridges and hairpin bend and motorbike ride on different cultures like Hindu villages and Tibetan Buddhist villages. Scenic views, prayer flags, and invigorating mountain breeze make it a very spiritual experience.
- Route:
- Arrive in Tatopani or Beni.
- Departure from Besisahar,
- Ride through Chame, Manang, and Thorong La Pass (5,416m),
- Descend towards Muktinath and Jomsom,
Upper Mustang
Ride tour is replete with desert landscape of rock face, ancient monasteries, and caves. Tour also has exposure to Tibetan Upper Mustang culture. Motorbikers are driving on rock-framed road and would appreciate Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna ranges’ vista. The quietness and sweetness of the villages, and the nostalgic history of the bygoones in the cave villages and ancient monasteries, a world-out and peaceful walk in total.
Route:
- Start Jomsom,
- Ride at Kagbeni, Chele, and Ghami,
- Reach Lo Manthang (capital town of Mustang),
- Retrace either on the same or a return path through Samar and Chhusang.
Kathmandu Valley
This ride is a combination of nature and culture, which surrounds the Kathmandu Valley with sweeping vista of mountains, woods, and village countryside. The trail includes stops at old temples, Newari traditional villages, and hillside views, so it is perfect for adventure enthusiasts as well as heritage explorers.
It is moderately technically challenging, with plenty of single tracks, dirt roads, and steep climbs. The ride over the ridges, with hills of mist on one side and the wide Kathmandu Valley on the other, is an experience never to be forgotten in Nepal city versus country contrast.
Route:
- Start at Kathmandu,
- Cross over Kakani, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel,
- Cross over Panauti and Lakuri Bhanjyang,
- Finish at Kathmandu.
Lower Everest Region (Jiri to Salleri)
For off-road mountain biking action close to Everest, Salleri to Jiri trail dishes up Himalayan views, down-country technical singletrack mountain biking, and countryside village life.
Trail follows the lower rim of legendary Everest Base Camp trekkers’ trail along ridge forests, torrents, and suspension bridges. Ride in jeopardising views of giant giants like Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam in the distance for a feel and sense off-road shredding experience.
Route:
- Start at Jiri,
- Cruise through Bhandar, Nunthala, and Ringmo,
- Finish at Salleri or ride to Phaplu,
- Ride through Bhandar, Nunthala, and Ringmo,
- Finish at Salleri or ride on to Phaplu.
Langtang Valley
Langtang Valley is less off-road than a mountain bike trekking tour but with the same mixture of single tracks, river crossing, and high-altitude bike ride.
The cyclists pedal through rhododendron forest, isolated Tamang villages, and undulating alpine meadows to the idyllic Kyanjin Gompa, dominated by Langtang Lirung’s massive 7,227m peak. The walk is punctuated by moments of utter silence, distant and occasional nature sounds, grazing yaks in the distance, and the overall sense of being at the doorway of the Himalayan world.
Route:
- Begin from Syabrubesi,
- Trek to Langtang Village and Lama Hotel,
- Reach Kyanjin Gompa,
- Return to Syabrubesi,
- Pass through Lama Hotel and Langtang Village,
- Reach Kyanjin Gompa,
- Return to Syabrubesi.
Pokhara to Muktinath (Jomsom Trail)
This is a really ancient trekking trail that takes one up along the Kali Gandaki River, with landscape and villages interspersed. The riders see dramatic changes in scenery, from subtropical forests to desolate high-altitude plateaus.
The ride is culturally diverse, going through Marpha’s apple orchards and Muktinath, a pilgrim town holy to many. The shifting landscape from green valleys to windy cliffs is a feast for the eyes.
Route:
- Begin from Pokhara,
- Ride a cycle to Tatopani, Ghasa, and Marpha,
- Reach Jomsom and Muktinath,
- Return via Kagbeni or fly back from Jomsom.
Shivapuri National Park
It is near Kathmandu and features technical single-track mountain bike riding on forested ridges and viewpoints. It is for mountain bikers looking for a short but demanding ride.
The bikers climb on difficult gradients, root-trail rides, and steep downhill with Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges opening up before them. The pine scent, sound of leaves on tires, and thrill of descending on winding roads make it a perfect escape from the city.
Route:
- Start from Budhanilkantha,
- Cyclist to Baghdwar and Nagi Gumba,
- Shivapuri Peak climb and descending trip to Sundarijal.
Rara Lake Trail
Cycling to Rara Lake is isolated and thrilling with crystal blue water and magnificent mountain scenery. The trekking leads the cyclists through untouched wilderness of western Nepal, through pine forest and scenic Jumla villages.
The lake, Rara Lake, is the largest of Nepal, a peaceful and tranquil retreat. The sight of the crystal clear lake waters reflected by the snow-covered mountains that encircle the lake, and the complete silence of the area, is a quasi-meditative cycling tour.
Route:
- Start in Jumla,
- Cycle via Sinja Valley and Gamgadhi,
- End at Rara Lake,
- Return by the same route or attempt another via Naga.
