Champadevi Day Hiking is one of the best hikes around the Kathmandu valley. Located southwest of the Kathmandu valley, the trail offers a beautiful mountain view and the beauty of Kathmandu valley. The top of the path is a sacred area for locals to perform rituals. The 6-7 hours hike passes through rhododendron and oak forests that bloom wonderfully during spring.
We start our journey after an early morning drive to Pharping, 16 kilometers south of Kathmandu. Pharping itself is bountiful in pilgrimage sites, including the renowned Dakshinkali Temple. The trail passes through pine forests along the north ridge for about half-hour. Then, through trails and lush greenery, the trail gradually ascends to Champadevi. The three hours of a nature walk is suitable for bird watching.
Champadevi’s pilgrimage site consists of a Buddhist Stupa and a Hindu Shrine. With excellent views of the mountain ranges, the quiet and calm of the place is a perfect retreat from the valley’s humdrum. The walk to Hattiban (Elephant Forest) takes around two hours. Hattiban, situated between Dakshinkali Temple and Kirtipur, offers a detailed view of Kathmandu Valley and some mountain ranges. The place is also famous for rock climbing.