---
title: "5 Short Hikes and Treks from Pokhara for Clear Autumn Days"
canonical: "https://lokoon.com/blog/short-hikes-treks-from-pokhara"
author: "Lokoon"
published: "2026-11-08T04:31:35.407759+00:00"
modified: "2026-11-08T04:31:35.407919+00:00"
kind: "blog"
---

# 5 Short Hikes and Treks from Pokhara for Clear Autumn Days

> Five short hikes and treks from Pokhara, from a one-hour pagoda climb to a four-day Poon Hill loop, with permits, costs and timing.

Short on time but want mountains? These five short hikes and treks from Pokhara range from a one-hour climb to a four-day loop, with the permits, costs and timing for each.
Autumn (October and November) and spring are the best times to go. The skies are clearest in the morning, so start early on every one of these.
Before you go: permits and guides
Three of these routes sit inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Foreign visitors need an ACAP permit, which costs NPR 3,000 (about US$20); SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 (about US$7). As of November 2026.
Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must trek with a licensed guide booked through a registered agency. Your agency arranges the permit and confirms any other paperwork your route needs.
1. World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)
Where: Anadu Hill, above the south shore of Phewa Lake, at about 1,100 m.
Why go: a gleaming white stupa with one of the best views of Phewa Lake and Pokhara, backed by the Annapurna range on a clear day.
Time: about an hour's walk up from the lake shore. Many people cross Phewa by rowboat first, then hike up through forest.
Cost: free entry; you'll just pay for the boat if you take one.
It's a place of peace, so keep your voice low at the top and dress modestly.
2. Sarangkot sunrise
Where: the hill north of Phewa Lake, around 1,600 m.
Why go: Pokhara's classic sunrise spot, with a wide view of the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Dhaulagiri on a clear morning.
Time: about 30 minutes by car from Lakeside, plus a short walk up to the viewpoint.
Cost: a small viewing fee, usually under NPR 100 (about US$0.65), as of November 2026.
Leave Lakeside about an hour before sunrise. Sarangkot is also where many paragliders launch, so stay for the colourful wings drifting over the lake later in the morning.
3. Australian Camp
Where: a grassy ridge at about 2,060 m, north-west of Pokhara, inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Why go: close-up views of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre for very little effort. Sunrise and sunset here are superb.
Time: about 45 minutes' drive to Kande, then roughly two hours' climb through farmland and forest. Most people stay one night in a simple teahouse.
Cost: ACAP permit plus guide, transport and teahouse costs.
4. Dhampus
Where: a Gurung village at about 1,750 m, a short walk from Australian Camp.
Why go: terraced fields, stone houses and the same big mountain views, with a village feel. It's known locally as home to many families with Gurkha soldiers.
Time: link it with Australian Camp for a relaxed two-day loop, descending to Phedi for the drive back to Pokhara.
Cost: covered by the same ACAP permit as Australian Camp.
5. Ghorepani Poon Hill
Where: the famous viewpoint above Ghorepani village, at 3,210 m.
Why go: the best-known short trek in Nepal for a reason. From the top at dawn, Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range line up in front of you.
Time: usually 4–5 days from Pokhara, through rhododendron forest and stone-step villages.
Cost: ACAP permit, licensed guide, transport, and teahouse stays and meals.
Poon Hill gets busy in October. Start the dawn climb early, and take your time on the stone steps.
Trail etiquette
- Walk to the left of chortens and mani walls, keeping them on your right.

- Give way to mule trains by stepping to the mountain side of the trail, never the drop side.

- Carry your rubbish out, and refill a bottle instead of buying plastic ones.

- Ask before photographing villagers and their homes.

Loku's tip: pack a warm layer even for the short ones. Mornings above Pokhara are colder than the lake shore lets on.
More ways to wander
Planning a Pokhara trip? Subscribe to The Lokoon Letter for monthly hiking ideas, seasonal picks and new places to explore.

Source: https://lokoon.com/blog/short-hikes-treks-from-pokhara