Hiking From Pokhara’s Lakeside to Sarangkot

The Views From Sarangkot

Not everyone passing through Nepal is looking to scale the face of Mount Everest. Many travelers coming to Pokhara are simply exploring the unknown. While wandering the streets nearby villages, these people are seeking to take in some of the local culture, rather than push their limits at high altitudes. Although much of Nepal is geared towards trekkers setting off on month-long excursions, there are still options and hikes found around Pokhara for the more occasional mountaineers.

On a clear day, you may be able to see stunning views of the Annapurna Mountains from the streets lining Lakeside. But the most accessible way to truly take in the stunning snow-crowned peaks is from the Sarangkot Viewpoint. This hilltop popular for paragliders is not only a short hike away from the comfort of your hotel, but also puts you smack in the middle between Macchapucchre and Fewa Lake. Offering panoramic views of all of Pokhara.

Looking to take the bus to Sarangkot? You can read on where to take the local bus here!

Starting The Hike From Lakeside To Sarangkot

There is more than one way to climb to the Sarangkot Tower. From Lakeside the most direct route to the viewpoint is from Panchase Marg. You can always take the bus to this neighborhood known as Sedi Bagar for 15 Npr (0.13 USD). But being a mere 1.5km away from the hotels and hostels of Lakeside, you might as well walk.

You will find several roads that lead up into the surrounding hills. With very few signs actually indicating the start of the trail, you may be left double taking a few times finally locating the right street. You will find several signs pointing towards the Pony Farm and Shree Prabhat Secondary School, this is the road you want to take to start the hike.

There are many different trails that will take you to Sarangkot around Pokhara, but the hike from Sedi Bagar will take you anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. While there are many tours avaliable to take you to the viewpoint, it is actually quite simple to hike to Sarangkot independently without a guide.

Be sure to check out my ultimate guide to Buddhist temples in Pokhara!

Finding The Trail

For such a popular hike in Pokhara, you will find little to no indicators as to where to actually walk. There are some faded out arrows painted on the sides of stones, but if you have any speed in your step you may walk right past these “landmarks” without a second thought.

At the base of the hike in Sedi Barar, many of the signs of cafes and hotels include arrows and small maps to get tourists on the right track to the summit. But in the end, there is no harm in asking, “how do I get to Sarangkot?” Especially if you are looking to cut out sometime when hiking up to catch the sunrise, you will find plenty of hotels and guest houses in Sedi Barar.

Want to get more off the beaten path in Nepal? Check out the hilltop city of Tansen!

Climbing to the Tower

As you begin to scale the base of Sarangkot, you will probably be able to catch sight of the planned cable car in Pokhara. Although construction seems to be halted, there may soon be an even more fast way to whiz tourists up to the Sarangkot Tower. Originally scheduled to be completed fall 2019, it is still unsure if this project is nearing completion or stuck in eternal limbo.

Even if there was a cable car lugging tourists up to the peak of Sarangkot, many hikers would still prefer the comfort and views of the trail. With stone steps leading all the way to the tower, this trail could be considered a luxury hike for the more experienced trekkers. With small cafes and viewpoints sprinkled along the path, this journey is best enjoyed by taking it slow.

If you are going to be wanting to hike to the World Peace Pagoda, be sure to check out my trekking guide here!

From Jungles to Tourist Traps

The hike from Pokhara’s Lakeside will provide you with a showcase of Nepal’s natural beauty. With the looming snow-capped mountains, thick jungles, placid lake, and terraced farmland cut into the hillside, the scenes and views of the trail change every few minutes.  Although there is a short stretch of the hike where you will feel like you are in complete wilderness, most of the journey you will find small cafes and farmhouses lining the path.

Being such a popular day hike from Pokhara, you are sure to come across a few hawkers along the way. They may persuade you to check out a private viewpoint and afterward try to squeeze some rupees out of you. No need to worry about being harassed every step of the way, while these vultures are annoying they will usually accept a direct no or a cold shoulder.

One of the most popular spots in Pokhara is the Tibetan Camp. Read more on the local monastery and neighborhood here!

The Tourist Enclave

Towards the end of the hour and a half long hike, you will have no doubts as to what direction to head. With the Sarangkot Tower acting as your beacon, you will begin the last stretch of the climb up to the summit. You will initially come out on a flat road which brings the lazier tourists up to Sarangkot by local bus and taxi. Oddly enough, you will find loads of signs pointing down the path towards Lakeside. It is curious that at the start of the trail they could not have posted some more obvious indicators on how to hike to the Sarangkot Tower.

Much like the World Peace Pagoda on the other side of Fewa Lake, you will find tons of guesthouses and cafes built on top of each other in front of the gate to the Sarangkot Tower. After making the climb to the top of the hill, you may be glad you didn’t try to attempt this hike in the early morning hours. Another option would be to stay at one of the hotels perched on top of Sarangkot, thus saving you a trip stumbling through the dark.

Matepani is one of the most famous monasteries in Nepal. You can read more about this temple here!

Ontop Sarangkot Hill

After passing through the jungles and souvenir stalls, you will finally make it to the ticket booth to enter the Sarangkot Tower. For foreign tourists, the cost is 60 NPR (0.50 USD). While some stingy backpackers may be repulsed by the idea of paying an additional fee after making the excruciating trek to the top of Sarangkot, the views from the park bring the journey to a perfect close.

Although you will find local families setting up picnics in the grass, teenagers snapping selfied on the steps, and tourists swarming over the elevated pavilion, the overall atmosphere of Sarangkot is serene. There are just a few pockets of the viewpoint where the lingering tourists seem to hover. But it is easy enough to break away from the crowds and take in the panoramic views of the Annapurna Mountains and Lakeside in peace.

Located on the outskirts of Pokhara, Pema Ts’al Monastery is a Buddhist temple you won’t want to miss!

Off The Beaten Path Views

Unless you were wanting to catch the sunrise, an option that will save you both time and energy is to first take the local bus to the top of Sarangkot and then hike down. But no matter how you decide to reach the summit, the sight of the surrounding mountains and Fewa Lake is nothing short of breathtaking.

Sarangkot may be regarded as one of the most famous spots in all of Pokhara in the hearts of local Nepalis. But foreign travelers are sparse at the viewpoint. Most tourists seem to flock to the World Peace Stupa on the other side of Fewa Lake. But the views from the pagoda can not even compare with those at Sarangkot Tower. For better or worse, the top of Sarangkot Hill is a paradise hidden in plain sight.