Nepal is a popular destination for travelers to go trekking and this is often the main reason people visit Nepal in the first place.
The natural surroundings in Nepal are incredibly peaceful, and along with the Nepalese spiritual beliefs, it creates the perfect getaway for those who want to recharge and find themselves in the beauty of nature.
Nepal is one of the top destinations for trekkers, thanks to the incredible views of the mountain ranges, and the indigenous plant and wildlife that make it so spectacular.
The cultures, landscapes, spiritualism, and people, make it one of the most amazing places to visit in the world.
Also see: Best Trekking Companies in Nepal
The Top Short Treks in Nepal
There are some wonderful short treks to embark on in Nepal. Many of these treks need guides to help you along the way, but they are always so wonderful to have, as they are full of knowledge and insight into the culture and wildlife of their native land.
Each trek has unique characteristics, setting them apart from all the others. Indulge yourself in nature, and choose one of the below short treks to take on.
Everest View Trek
This is the perfect option to view Mt. Everest if you don’t want to actually walk up the mountain to achieve it.
Mt. Everest can be viewed from the Everest View Hotel, which sits at 3880m. Along the trek is Namache, which offers a further incredible view of Mt. Everest, and will be the highlight of the trip.
Along the way are breath-taking natural views, and a stillness that cannot be matched.
In total, the trek takes five to ten days to complete and will reach a maximum height of 3880m. The trek starts off at Kathmandu and ends up in Lukla. It is a moderate trek, so it does require some experience to be successful.
This journey gives you the perfect opportunity to view the famous Mt. Everest, sitting at 8848m, with an enjoyable, peaceful trek along the way.
Kanlinchwok Trekking
Kanlinchwok is a famous pilgrimage for Nepalese people. It is a hillside, sitting at 3800m, north of Kathmandu, near the Tibetan border.
The Kalinchwok trek takes you to the center of the Rolwaling range and gives you views of some of the highest mountain ranges, such as Lamjung, Manaslu, Shisha Panga, Ganesh Himal, Dorjee Lakya, Amabamori, Numbur Himal, Jugal Himal, and the Everest ranges.
This incredible trek takes you through so many mountain ranges that you might not see on other treks, which is something to consider when you are trying to take in as much as possible.
The trek through Kanlinchwok will take five to ten days through, depending on the weather and your experience. The highest point you will reach on the hike is 3800m. You will start at Kathmandu and end up in Charikot.
This trek has a difficulty rating of moderate, so take this into consideration when deciding. Make sure you have the necessary experience and training needed to not only successfully complete the trek, but to enjoy yourself while doing so.
If you are looking for a spiritual trek, this is a perfect choice. Not only are the surrounding mountain ranges peaceful, but being that it is a pilgrimage destination, you know it will have a heavenly calm and sense of peace.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
The trek to Ghorepani is one of the best points to view the sunrise from Poonhill. Not only does it allow you an incredible sighting of the sunrise, but it also gives you sight down to the Pokhara city from above.
The trek takes place up Mt. Machhapuchhre, which is also known as Mt. Fishtail. It is approximately 6993m high. The mountain is considered to be a holy site and has some of the most peaceful surroundings you can find.
The trek gives you some of the best photographic opportunities, especially in the morning and evenings, as the sun rises and sets, touching each of the surrounding mountain peaks within the Dhaulagiri Annapurna Range.
It will take four to ten days to complete, and the maximum height reached is 3210m. The start of the trek is from Kathmandu and ends in the city of Pokhara. It has a difficulty rating of easy, so is a good choice for first-timers.
This is the perfect escape into the mountains, keeping you in touch with nature and the beauty that Nepal has to offer.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a popular choice for those visiting Nepal. It is completely surrounded with views of the Himalayan ranges, as well as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Macchapurchre.
Along the trek, you will also find the Kali Gandi River, which is known as the deepest gorge in the world and is also an incredible river for rafting.
The Annapurna region is possibly the most popular area for trekking for those who visit Nepal, with around 2/3rds of tourist choosing it as their place to stay. Its incredible beauty and tranquillity attest to this.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes six to eight days to complete and will take you up to 4100m. It starts in Kathmandu and makes its way through to Pokhara, with moderate difficulty.
It is a definite must-try for anyone who loves trekking, and for someone looking for a well-rated trek to embark on.
Langtang Valley Trek
Found seven to eight hours outside of Kathmandu is Syabrubesi, where this incredible trek starts. This trek will take you through the Langtang National Park, going through various Tamang Villages such as Rimche and Lama Hotel, until it reaches the Langtang Valley. This is where the trip will end, with the last point found in Kyanjin Gompa.
Mountainous views and vast landscapes are waiting to be discovered along this trek, with cultural experiences found along the way through different villages.
The trek is a little longer, taking around eight to ten days to complete, and is higher, reaching a height of 5050m. It is a moderate trek, which has its challenges but is still suitable for newbies with some previous training.
Mardi Himal Trek
Situated just east of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is Mardi Himal. It is a true hidden gem, which offers viewpoints of Mt. Fishtail, Hiunchuli, Mardi Peak, Annapurna South, and other Annapurna ranges. It is one of the best short treks to take for capturing beautiful photographs and is popular among landscape photographers who prefer not to take such a strenuous trek.
It is a moderate route and is not as tough as some of the others, but still offers views that are some of the best in the world. The trek sees you starting in Kathmandu and ends up in Pokhara, it takes around five to six days to finish, which gives the perfect amount of time to capture incredible photos. The height at maximum is 4500m, giving a good view of the surrounding landscape.
For views and the best photographic opportunities, the Mardi Himal trek is your best bet.
Kathmandu Valley Trek
This is the right trek for you if you are looking for a shorter trek starting in Kathmandu. Not only will you be open to seeing some of the most amazing views in the world, but this trek also offers insight into the religion, culture, life, and history of the Nepalese people living in this region.
The Kathmandu Valley trek takes travelers through Shivapuri National Park villages and forests, giving different views and landscapes to appreciate along the way.
From starting at Kathmandu to ending in Pokhara, the trek lasts only three days, only reaching a height of 1680m. It is an easy trek, so is suited for beginners or for those who want a shorter, less strenuous trek to do during their visit to Nepal, or even when just passing through.
This trek is short, easy and offers a wide diversity of experiences, helping you enjoy the best of Nepal without taking too long to do so.
Balthali Village Trekking
Recommended by Lonely Planet in 2016, the Balthali Village trek is a definite choice when visiting Nepal.
The trek travels through different areas, covering the villages of Nagarkot, Panauti, and Dhulikhel. Through this, you can experience the different aspects of Nepalese culture, and truly immerse yourself in the incredible destination, while still enjoying the best of the natural beauty.
It is a short trek and only takes three to five days to complete, it also has a difficulty level of easy, so it is a great choice for beginners or for those who don’t want to spend too much time out trekking. The starting point of the trek is in Kathmandu and comes through to end in Nagarkot, with the maximum height reached on the trek being 2200m.
This is a considerably easy hike and gives you a perfect view of the different lives lived in the villages of Nepal. It effortlessly blends in Nepalese culture to the incredible nature surrounding it all, showing how everything works hand in hand, offering a truly spiritual experience. It is the perfect way to escape busy living and reconnect with yourself.
Helambu Trek
The Helambu trek offers up some of the best views of the Himalayas, of Langtang and Everest. The sceneries observed along the trek are really breath-taking, and cannot be found anywhere else.
The highlight, and possibly the main draw of this trek, is the fact that it is near the Kathmandu, Helambu region. This region has not quite made its way up to modern living, and the culture and traditions still practiced there are really special to witness. It is a true break from the modern world, giving sight to how others live a more simple, happy and fulfilled life without the stresses we are so used to.
The trek goes from Kathmandu towards Sundarijal, where it ends. It takes 8 days to complete the trek, which reaches a high of 3650m. It is a moderate trail, so it could challenge those who aren’t quite prepared.
However large the challenge is, being given the privilege to pay witness to the incredible culture and spiritual living still practiced in the region cannot be matched. It is worth every difficult day spent out on the trails, and will be an experience that will never be forgotten.
Dhampus Sarangkot Trek
This trek is designed for those who want to enjoy the views of the Himalayas from a much lower elevation, without having to travel too high into the mountain ranges.
The Dhampus Sarangkot trek is an alternative route to the Annapurna trek, giving fuller views without traveling too far up into the mountains. This route offers sprawling landscapes and looming mountains, which appeared majestic and surreal.
You are able to take more in when viewing the mountains from below, without having too many other peaks or ranges obscuring your view.
Once again, this trek starts in Kathmandu and ends in Pokhara. It only takes three days to complete and is considered an easy trek to accomplish. The highest point of the trek is 1680m, which is still high enough to give beautiful views that will stick with you forever.
Trekking in Nepal
Nepal really is one of the better destinations for tourists and hikers looking to fully immerse themselves in the most scenic and idyllic mountain ranges.
Not only are the mountainous regions of Nepal truly breath-taking, but the region is full of sprawling landscapes and unique wildlife and plant life, which work together to create a delicate balance, found only in Nepal.
The Nepalese culture, religion, and way of life is a true privilege to experience, and many of the short treks take you through different villages, giving you the opportunity to explore the way of living, the spiritualistic culture, and the deep connection to nature that the Nepalese people hold so closely, intertwining into their everyday life.
These short treks in Nepal are all doable by those who have just started hiking or trekking, and each has its own unique characteristics, exploring a different aspect of Nepal and all of its beauty.