Top 10 Most Beautiful MTB Trails in Nepal

Nepal is not only a trekking haven but a dream destination to mountain bikers who, more than anything, desire adventure, scenic beauty, and cultural exposure. For an epic landscape background, the Himalayas, including all its magnificent mountains, will accompany each stroke of your pedal, and a combination of stunning scenery, ancient villages, and adrenaline-filled single tracks will accompany you.

Nepal presents some of the most different and beautiful MTB trails in the world, and this is from rugged mountain passes to serene valleys. These trails will be a memory to be remembered, whether you are an adrenaline-seeking rider who wants to take a ride to high-altitude rides or a recreational cyclist who is on a cultural tour.

The following are the 10 most beautiful mountain biking trails in Nepal that reveal the raw natural beauty and the variety of rides available in the country.

1. Annapurna Circuit MTB Trail

Location: Central Nepal, Annapurna Region.

Difficulty: Advanced

Best Season: March-May, September-November.

The Annapurna Circuit MTB Trail is a global trail that passes through amazing Himalayan sceneries, varied ecological settings, and Gurung settlements. Riders ride through high passes such as Thorong La (5,416 m) and experience a constantly changing landscape - subtropical forests or snow-white mountains.

Highlights:

• Tour beautiful villages such as Manang and Marpha.
• 360-degree perspective of Annapurna I, Dhauligiri, and Nilgiri mountains.
• Thorong La to Muktinath Epic downhill.

Ideal For: Skilled mountaineers seeking mountain rides and multi-day adventure rides.

Go with us on our guided Annapurna Circuit MTB Tour and have a safe and adventurous Himalayan adventure.

2. Upper Mustang MTB Expedition.

Location: Mustang Region (Rain Shadow of Annapurna)

Difficulty: Advanced

Best Season: April-November

The Upper Mustang is also called the Forbidden Kingdom, and it is one of the most scenic destinations in Nepal on an MTB. The road passes along the Trans-Himalayan desert and the ancient caves and the walled city of Lo-Manthang, which provides surreal landscapes of the red-rock and the Tibetan-infused culture.

Highlights:

• Ride on centuries-old monasteries and caves at the cliffs.
• Beautiful desert cliffs and deep canyons.
• Exclusive combination of culture and adventure.

Ideal For: Riders wishing to explore the remote Himalayan culture and have spectacular desert views.

See our Upper Mustang MTB Expeditions Package and have the only ride in this restricted zone. 

3. Lower Mustang MTB Adventure

Location: Mustang lower (around Jomsom and Marpha)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Best Season: During October to December and September to June.

Lower Mustang is the best choice as it is a balance between picturesque beauty and moderate rides. It is a path that follows the Kali Gandaki River, between the cliffs and the villages with apple trees.

Highlights:

• Riverside single-track bridges and iconic suspension bridges.
• Stop at lovely Marpha village, where there is apple brandy.
• Large-scale views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.

Ideal For: Schools of intermediate riders or families that want a challenging experience of the MTB without excessive altitude.

Book now Lower Mustang MTB Tour

4. Manaslu Circuit MTB Adventure.

Location: Gorkha District, Manaslu Region.

Difficulty: Advanced

Best Season: During March to May and October to November

Manaslu Circuit is a challenge that provides an alternative to Annapurna that is either less crowded or raw. It is a mix of uphill hikes and pristine natural landscape and villages with the influence of Tibetan customs.

Highlights:

• The imposing mountain pass Larkya La (5,160 m).
• Pass through the Buddhist stupas and yak pastures.
• Hike through the wilderness of Nepal.

Ideal For: Mountain bikers who are adventure-based and enjoy isolated trails and extreme exercise.

5. Langtang Valley MTB Trails

Location: North Kathmandu Valley.

Challenge: Intermediate to Advanced.

Best Season: During October  to May

The Valley of Glaciers, commonly referred to as Langtang Valley, provides not only technical ascents and exciting descents but also breathtaking landscapes. The routes cross thick forests, yak herds, and ancient Tamang villages with the Himalayan views everywhere.

Highlights:

• Otherwise, breathtaking Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal.
• Real Tamang culture and hospitality.
• The routes amalgamate woodland, alpine plains, and cross rivers.

Best suited: Riders wishing to experience Kathmandu adventure but with fewer crowds and scenic variety.

6. Pokhara Valley & Surrounding MTB Trails.

Location: Gokturkistan (Gandaki Province)

Difficulty: Introductory to Intermediate.

Best Season: Year-round

The MTB capital of Nepal is Pokhara, which is a combination of recreational rides and challenging single-tracks. Riders can enjoy spectacular views of the Annapurna without going very far out of the city because of scenic lakeside trails, climbs to the World Peace Pagoda, and Sarangkot.

Highlights:

• Tour along the Phewa Lake and the forest cover.
• Sunrise view from Sarangkot
• Slicing, playful downhills with mountain and lake scenery.

Ideal For: Beginners and intermediate riders who adore scenic and peaceful rides.

7. Kathmandu Valley Rim and Trans-Hills Trail.

Location: Kathmandu Valley area.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Best Season: During October to April

Kathmandu Valley Rim Trail is the best place to have adventure, culture, and easy access. You will ride in the forested hills, in old temples, and in terraced farms with the panoramic Himalayan scenery.

Highlights:

• Population attractions: Nagarkot, Kakani, Dhulikhel, and Godavari.
• Boundless-tracks via Shivapuri National Park.
• A mix of rural and urban Nepal exists.

Recommended to: Riders who want to have a multi-day ride around the capital and have an awesome scenery and cultural experience.

8. Chitwan to Pokhara MTB Adventure.

Location:  Central Nepal, from the Hills to the  Terai Plains.

Challenge: Intermediate to Advanced.

The Best Season: During October to February.

This is an exclusive highway, and it brings you out of the cool hills of Pokhara down to the tropical lowlands of Chitwan. It is an adventure in the various geography of Nepal- mountains, rivers, jungles, and villages.

Highlights:

• Ride across varying terrain and mid-hills to plains.
• Conclude with an animal safari in Chitwan National Park.
• Haenle and HE mix nature and culture.

Best suited to: Riders who want to experience a variety of climates and different types of terrains during a trip.

9. Helambu / Pikey Peak Trail (Eastern Hills)

Location: Solukhumbu and Sindhupalchok Region.

Challenge: Intermediate to Advanced.

Best Season: During March to May and  October  to November

It is a combination of smooth, single-tracks and a cultural ride over Sherpa and Tamang villages. The riders have a panoramic view of Everest and other surrounding giants at Pikey Peak (4,065 m).

Highlights:

• Breathtaking sunrise scenery of Mount Everest.
• Breath-taking off-the-beaten path.
• Mixed woodland, fields, and villages on top of hills.

Best suited: Riders who desire the views of Everest but not the congestion of the Khumbu area.

10. Western Nepal Trail & Rara Lake.

Location: Far Western Nepal, Mugu District.

Challenge: Advanced/ Expedition Level.

Best Season: During April  to October

Rara Lake trail is a secret that is enjoyed by the MTB lovers who want to experience the wild nature. The ride to Rara, the highest lake in Nepal, is a perfect landscape with pure scenery and villages that are seldom approached by tourists.

Highlights:

• Pine forest, Rara Lake of crystal-clear water.
• Long-distance riding through the villages and meadows.
• Opportunity to observe the raw and uncivilized Nepal.

Best suited: Experienced riders who just enjoy remote adventures and self-supported rides.