Explore The Kathmandu Valley
At 2732m, Shivapuri (or Sheopuri) is the second highest point on the valley rim. It lies within the forested Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, designed to protect the valley’s water supply.
By far the most rewarding route to the peak from Budhanilkantha isn’t the direct ascent up the steps, but starts with a walk east along a dirt road (usually navigable on a 4WD or motorbike in decent conditions) to Nagi Gompa, a former Tamang monastery gifted to the renowned lama Urgyen Rinpoche, and now occupied by nuns – along with the occasional Western dharma student sent up from Boudha. (If you’re interested in Buddhism, ask to stay in the simple guesthouse here.) It’s a pleasant walk of an hour or so, climbing and contouring eastward through the forest.
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Hiking and biking in Shivapuri National Park
Hiking and biking in Shivapuri National Park
There are numerous walking and biking routes in Shivapuri National Park, and Nagi Gompa makes a good place to start. The rough road contours from the nunnery all the way along the southern side of the park to its easternmost point, offering various ways to drop down to the valley. One good, bikeable route descends from a fork some 500m east of the nunnery, following a lovely ridge line south to Gokarna or Kopan; this is also an attractive (if long) route up to Shivapuri peak.
From the Tamang village of Mulkharka, 10km east of Nagi Gompa, along the road, walkers can descend to the small town of Sundarijal in less than half an hour; from here plentiful buses run back to Boudha and Kathmandu. Alternatively, you can trek northwards and upwards through the middle of the park from Mulkharka (where there’s basic accommodation) to the pass at Borlang Bhangjang (roughly 3hr), from where you descend to Chisapani, at the park’s northeastern side (1hr); this is traditionally the first day of the Helambu Circuit.
From Mulkharka, you can also take a classic mountain-bike route, heading east on the rough road all the way to the park gate at Jhule, and continuing south from there to Nagarkot or Sankhu; you could even turn north and carry on all the way round the fringe of the park to Chisapani. Budhanilkantha to Chisapani would be an all-day ride of 30km (count on 8hr). Between Mulkharka and Jhule, walkers can descend directly south to Sankhu, via the Bajra Yogini temple.
