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17 Aug – 31 Dec 2026
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The Dual Ridge Challenge is a guided mountain bike day tour in Pokhara designed for riders seeking a physically demanding day on real off-road terrain. The loop links the Methlang and Anadu ridges across the Phewa Lake basin, and it mixes sustained climbing with gravel tracks, forest singletrack, loose shale, roots, rocky sections, and paved valley roads.
This is a mountain bike ride, not a sightseeing cycle. Over about 36 km, you climb around 950 m and descend around 930 m, all under your own power. There is no shuttle and no uplift. You earn every descent, with a coffee stop at Gyarjati to break the day between the two big climbs.
The ride starts and finishes in Lakeside, Pokhara, and includes a cultural loop past the World Peace Pagoda, Davis Fall, and Gupteshwor Cave. It is designed for intermediate and advanced mountain bikers. Beginners and casual cyclists should pick a gentler route.
Daily departures are available from Lakeside, Pokhara, subject to booking and suitable weather, trail, and access conditions. So if you have a spare day in Pokhara and the legs for it, you can usually ride it tomorrow.
Detail | Information |
Activity | Guided mountain bike day tour |
Location | Pokhara, Nepal |
Distance | Approx. 36 km |
Total climb | Approx. +950 m |
Total descent | Approx. -930 m |
Total time | Approx. 4.5 to 5.5 hours riding |
Difficulty | Challenging |
Rider level | Intermediate to advanced |
Physical demand | High, sustained climbing |
Terrain | Steep concrete, gravel, jeep track, forest singletrack, loose shale, roots, rocky sections, paved roads |
Recommended bike | 120 to 160 mm trail full-suspension bike, or a capable aggressive hardtail |
Start and finish | Lakeside, Pokhara |
You see the same lake from both sides. Methlang rises above Phewa Lake's north shore, and Anadu Hill and the World Peace Pagoda above the south. Most Pokhara rides climb one and come back down the same side.
You climb it yourself. No jeep, no cable car, no shuttle. Every metre of descending here is a metre you earned. If that sounds like the wrong trade, our shuttled enduro day trip is the better booking.
The surface never settles. Tarmac, concrete switchbacks, jeep track, singletrack, loose shale, roots, stone ramps, rock, then city asphalt. You read the ground and adjust all day, which is why this route punishes a rider who only knows one kind of trail.
It is a rural day that ends at the landmarks. Between Methlang and Pame, you ride through working countryside, terraced fields and farm homes.
The number that decides it is 950 m of climbing. Not the 36 km, and not the technical grade. Thirty-six kilometres is short by road standards, but you gain and lose almost a kilometre of height inside it, and there is no shuttle to do any of it for you.
The climbing comes in two blocks, not spread evenly.
Climb | Where | Length | Gain | What it feels like |
Climb 1 | Lakeside up to the Methlang ridge | About 11 km | +520 m | Starts gently on quiet roads, then bites. The concrete switchbacks are far steeper than the stage average suggests. |
Climb 2 | Pame basin up to Anadu Hill | About 8 km | +430 m | Shorter, but it arrives with 25 km already in your legs, in the heat of the day. This is the one riders remember. |
There is no altitude problem. Everything here sits well under 1,500 m, so no thin air and no acclimatisation. If Mustang or the Annapurna Circuit is later in your trip, this is a good hard day to have early.
You are ready for this ride if you can honestly say yes to most of these:
You ride off-road regularly, not once or twice a season.
You have done 800 m to 1,000 m of climbing in a single ride before, and finished it in reasonable shape.
You are comfortable staying on the bike for four to five hours.
You have descended loose, rooty, and rocky trail without walking most of it.
You control your speed on steep ground with progressive braking, not by grabbing the rear brake.
Said no to the climbing question but yes to the rest? You are probably still fine. Ask about the e-MTB option, which takes the sting out of the two climbs without taking away the descents.
First-time mountain bikers, and road cyclists new to off-road.
Anyone wanting a mostly flat, paved or casual sightseeing ride.
Anyone not comfortable with sustained climbing or technical descending.
Families or groups with a wide spread of ability.
Pokhara has better days for you, and you will enjoy them more than you would enjoy this one. Start with the easy Pame Valley ride or the Around Fewa Lake tour.
Section | Main surfaces | Rider focus |
Lakeside–Methlang–Gyarjati | Quiet roads, steep concrete switchbacks and gravel jeep track | High physical demand; maintain traction and a sustainable climbing pace. |
Gyarjati–Pame Basin | Forest singletrack, loose shale, roots, drainage features and jeep track | Technical descending; line choice, progressive braking and awareness of shared trails matter. |
Pame–Anadu–Peace Pagoda | Paved transition, dirt singletrack and uneven stone/cobblestone ramps | Second sustained climb; expect changing traction and uneven surfaces. |
Peace Pagoda–Chhorepatan–Lakeside | Rocky/uneven descent followed by urban asphalt | Technical descending gives way to a paved return; traffic awareness is important. |
You are welcome to. It needs to be in good mechanical condition and genuinely suited to steep climbing and rough descending, and your guide will check it before departure. If you are choosing what to bring, this route wants:
Component | What the route asks for |
Frame and travel | 120 to 146 mm trail full-suspension, or a capable aggressive hardtail with an air fork |
Drivetrain | 1×11 or 1×12, with gearing low enough for sustained steep pitches. Under-geared is the single most common mistake here. |
Brakes | Hydraulic disc, rotors sized for the bike, your weight and the terrain |
Tires | Around 2.35 to 2.4 inch trail tires, tubeless where available |
Tire pressure | Set to your weight, casing, rim width, and the day's conditions. There is no one correct pressure. |
Dropper post | Strongly recommended. The descents are long enough that saddle height matters. |
Protection | Helmet and full-finger gloves (both provided). Knee pads strongly recommended. |
A professional local MTB guide with mechanical and first-aid support.
Tubes, pump, chain links and selected spare parts, so a puncture or a broken chain is a ten-minute stop, not the end of your day.
Hydration refills, energy snacks and seasonal fruit.
A pre-ride safety briefing, plus a basic suspension and tire pressure check before departure.
Your guide may change the trail line, the stage order, or the route itself when weather, trail maintenance, access, or safety call for it. A plan that ignores conditions is not a safety plan.
Season | Typical riding considerations |
March–May | Generally favorable riding conditions, with warmer weather and often drier trails. Mountain visibility can vary with haze. |
June–September | Monsoon conditions can make roots, rocks, concrete and loose surfaces much more slippery. The guide may modify or shorten the route. |
October–November | Often among the more favorable periods for drier trails and clearer mountain views. |
December–February | Cooler mornings and evenings; clear days can still provide good riding conditions. |
Trail difficulty is condition-dependent. A section that is manageable when dry can become considerably more technical after rain. The guide assesses current conditions and may adjust the route for safety.
Trail difficulty is condition-dependent, and your guide checks current conditions before departure. For the wider picture across the country, see the best time to mountain bike in Nepal.
Daily departures run from Lakeside, Pokhara, subject to booking and suitable weather, trail, and access conditions.
Time | What happens |
From about 8:15 AM | Hotel pickup within the Lakeside area, then bike fitting, setup, and safety briefing |
About 8:30 to 9:30 AM | Departure from Lakeside |
Mid-morning | Methlang climb and viewpoint |
Late morning | Gyarjati coffee stop, then the singletrack descent to Pame |
Early afternoon | Anadu climb and the World Peace Pagoda |
Mid-afternoon | Descent to Chhorepatan, Davis Fall and Gupteshwor Cave |
Late afternoon | Return to Lakeside |
These are not purpose-built bike trails. They are working rural paths, and Methlang and the Peace Pagoda are both popular walking routes. How you ride decides whether bikes stay welcome on them.
Yield to pedestrians, hikers, and livestock. Always, and without being asked.
Ride slowly through villages and do not skid. Skidding tears up loose singletrack and is the fastest way to lose trail access.
Respect homes, farms, and private land, and follow your guide about where you can and cannot ride.
At the World Peace Pagoda, Davis Fall and Gupteshwor Cave, follow the site rules and dismount where required. These are places of worship.
Ask before photographing residents, farm workers or children.
Carry your waste out with you.
The published route figures and stage descriptions are based on the current Dual Ridge Challenge itinerary. Exact trail lines, access, surface condition, and GPS elevation can change because of weather, erosion, construction, maintenance, and local access. The guide confirms current conditions before departure and may make sensible route changes when required.
Lakeside → Methlang Ridge → Gyarjati Coffee Farm → Pame Basin → Anadu Hill → World Peace Pagoda → Chhorepatan → Davis Fall → Gupteshwor Cave → Lakeside
Lakeside to Methlang Ridge and Gyarjati
You roll out of Lakeside on quiet roads while the legs are still waking up. It does not last. The climb toward Methlang steepens quickly into concrete switchbacks winding up past rural homes, and this is the hardest sustained pitch of the morning.
Distance | Elevation Gain | Terrain / Road |
|---|---|---|
About 11 km | +520 m | Quiet roads, steep concrete switchbacks, gravel jeep track |
Methlang is a forested hill immediately above Lakeside, close enough that you are climbing within minutes of leaving your hotel, but rural enough at the top that the traffic noise disappears completely. From the viewpoint comes the payoff: the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Phewa Lake laid out below, the Pame valley running west, and the Methlang village ridge.
From there the route contours through terraced countryside, an easier stretch where you can eat, drink and recover, before dropping off-road toward Gyarjati.
Rider tips
Shift into your climbing gear before the steep pitches, not during them. Under load on a steep concrete ramp, a shift can drop your chain or stall you.
Stay seated when traction is limited. Standing shifts weight forward and the rear tire spins.
Pace this deliberately. There is a second 430 m climb later, and riders who race the first one pay for it on the second.
Drink on the flatter contouring section, not just at the top.
Gyarjati Singletrack Descent to the Pame Basin
The coffee stop comes first. Gyarjati sits between the two big climbs, which makes it the natural break in the day. Coffee is a real crop in the hills around Pokhara, and Nepali arabica grows at exactly this kind of mid-hill elevation, so a coffee here is a local product rather than an import. It is also the last comfortable stop before the technical part of the day, so eat something. (The stop depends on the farm or cafe being open.)
Distance | Elevation Loss | Terrain / Road |
|---|---|---|
About 12 km | -480 m | Forest singletrack, loose shale, exposed roots, drainage features, jeep track |
Then you leave on a narrow dirt singletrack through the forest, and this is the most technical riding of the tour. Expect loose shale that moves under the tire, exposed roots that stay slick even when they look dry, and drainage bars cut across the trail. The trail opens into rougher jeep track down toward the Pame valley, then an easy paved section carries you to the foot of Anadu Hill.
Rider tips
Look far ahead. On loose shale, decisions made late are decisions made badly.
Brake before the corner, not in it, and use both brakes progressively.
Drop your saddle or dropper post before the singletrack starts, not halfway down it.
Cross roots and drainage bars as square as you can. Hitting them at an angle is how front wheels go sideways.
These are shared trails. Expect walkers, farm workers, livestock, and blind corners.
Anadu Climb and the Peace Pagoda Ridge
The second climb starts from the valley floor and heads up Anadu Hill through steep dirt, uneven stone and cobblestone ramps, and quiet roads. It is shorter than the morning climb but harder in practice, because you ride it with 25 km behind you and the day at its warmest.
Distance | Elevation | Terrain / Road |
|---|---|---|
About 8 km | +430 m / -250 m | Dirt singletrack, stone and cobblestone ramps, rocky sections |
The reward at the top is the World Peace Pagoda, the white stupa standing at around 1,100 m on Anadu Hill above Phewa Lake's southern shore. It was completed in 1996 by Japanese Buddhist monks working with the local community, and it is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Pokhara. From up here, you are looking back across the lake at the Methlang ridge you climbed this morning, with the Annapurna skyline behind it.
Then the route drops toward Chhorepatan on the most technical descent of the second half.
Rider tips
Settle into a rhythm early on this climb and hold it. Do not chase anyone.
Wet or dusty stone and cobble ramps change grip suddenly. Keep your weight balanced and your speed low.
The Peace Pagoda is a place of worship and a busy walking destination. Ride in slowly, dismount where the signs ask, and expect people on the path.
The Cultural Valley Finish
You leave the trail system on rocky, uneven ground and drop into Chhorepatan, the neighbourhood on Pokhara's south side that is home to the Tashi Ling Tibetan settlement, established here in the 1960s.
Distance | Elevation Loss | Terrain / Road |
|---|---|---|
About 5 km | -200 m | Rocky, uneven trail, then urban asphalt |
A few hundred metres on are Davis Fall, where the Pardi Khola drops into an underground channel, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave directly across the road, a limestone cave holding a Shiva shrine, where you can walk down toward the waterfall from underneath.
After the stops, it is a paved road back to Lakeside.
Rider tips
This last section is urban riding with real traffic. Stay tight to the group and stay alert.
Both sites are working religious sites. Dress and behave accordingly and follow the on-site rules.
Your legs will be done by now. Most crashes on any ride happen in the last hour. Concentrate.
4.8from 13 reviews across 2 platforms
loupguy01
Sep 23, 2026
En 4 heures: deux descentes depuis la colline de Sarangkot dont une sous la pluie et une passant la pagode de la paix. Parcours possibles nombreux et de tous niveaux d'où à ma demande: des parcours progressifs, histoire de se remettre dans le coup lors de la première descente, avant d'enchainer sur des parcours plus techniques (escaliers - sentier étroit,...). VTT de bonne qualité. Une bonne demi-journée.
Simon G
Dec 28, 2023
My son and I did a day trip of two hills.... Sarangkot and the Peace Pagoda. A round trip of 5-6 hours from Lakeside. The bikes were great.... fairly new Scott dual suspension bikes. Our guide Suman was also great. Definitely felt it after a total of nearly 1200m climbing. The single-track descent from the Peace Pagoda was a highlight
Paul W
Dec 7, 2022
Jagan and his team at PMBA are definitely the people to see if you are in Pokhara wish to explore the surrounding area by bike. Everyone I met at the shop was friendly and accommodating, even catering for my particular needs (I'm fussy about bike pedals!) without any hesitation. The bikes on offer are good quality. PMBA became a place I'd just pop in for a chat whenever I passed. Sujan took me on a great morning tour of the Peace Pagoda with some fun single track. I also wanted to explore Poon Hill area and Jagan crafted an excellent 5 day trip with a blend of hiking and biking. It was an experience I'll not forget. My guide Laxman has become a friend who I'll remain in contact with. Jagan was also very flexible with me hiring a bike on a rolling basis so I could explore other areas independently. I would suggest just outlining your needs and the team will provide you with what you need. Another key point is Jagan's socially responsible approach to the business. He supports the development of his staff, engages in local action to promote outdoor activities, support women and educational projects. This reflects the approach and is a big plus in my view. .
Till M
Jun 20, 2019
Had a great day with my guide, turned out to be a private ride. The company and guide were very accommodating and welcoming, safe and fit me for a newer XL Giant, I chose a hardtail instead of available dual suspension. I had just come off a two week medical volunteer trek, and am very fit, and wanted a challenging climb. I sure got it! We started off a little later than they normally do (all my fault as I just wandered in and they made a guide and trip available just for me) so we rode in some hot late morning up up up to amazing views and landscapes, then zip track down to lakeside farmland. Then we began our climb back up, twisting rocky muddy trails through friendly villages. My guide was patient and we had water and snack and hike a bike breaks whenever wanted or needed. I had chosen a ride up to the World Peace Pagoda, a Japanese Buddhist temple on a mountain top. As we neared the summit after about 3 and a half hours of climbing, it started to pour rain. We got drenched in a warm summer downpour, which was perfect at the time. We stopped at a cafe (there are so many places for food/water/snacks/souvenirs at the top) and I walked the remainder solo to the temple. After all that riding the stairs were a challenge! Came back down, and we took off down through challenging exhilarating ziptrack, only got chased once by a spooked ox that bellowed and galloped after me for a few meters. We rode back through Pokhara to the shop, soaked and sore and happy. The shop welcomed us back, took care of all my gear, served me a much needed latte, and we debriefed and chilled. The bikes are well maintained and capable, the guide and staff and service friendly and accommodating. I am glad I chose them!
slackerlau
Jan 18, 2019
Came for a hike up ABC with my wife but I'm an avid Mountain Biker back home & just cldnt pass up the opportunity to ride in the land of the giant peaks. Went on a day trip on the trails around Pokhara. The 1st trail was more of a jeep trail so it didnt appeal to me. However, the 2nd trail was fun. It goes up to the Peace Pagoda & down again, the stairs section towards the end was really fun. Ended up going twice. However for safety reason, it's advisable to get off n push your bike at the stairs near the Peace Pagoda as there are many ppl who hike up this trail & it's very narrow there. My guide & his assistant are very good skillful riders & i was well taken care of. All in all i had fun & hope to be back for a longer ride in the more remote regions of this beautiful country.
Graham W
Dec 7, 2017
If from British Columbia in Canada and mountain biking is my favorite outdoor sport back home. So, while visiting Nepal I made it a priority to get out for some riding. This place did not disappoint, they have a good selection of higher end bikes both hardtail and Full Suspensiob. Mostly Giants but I rode a Scott. Unfortunately, though functional, their bikes were not all that well maintained. I had an issue about half way through the ride with my from derailleur. Which the guides tried unsuccessfully to diagnose or fix. No matter it was stuck in small ring for big climb which suited me fine. I joined one other customer for a ride but we still had our own guide which was nice as our skill levels were different. We did a ride that included both Sarangkot and the Peace Pagota. Unfortunately it was cloudy so not much for views of the Himalayas but nice views of Pakhora and Fewa Lake. Pretty grueling climb up to the Peace Pagota but look forward to a decent restaurant at the top. The decent down was a fun beginner/intermediate single track-ish trail. Not too steep but fun and jungly. We saw monkeys.
oconnellr2017
Dec 2, 2017
Jagan was super helpful in arranging a last minute daytrip around Pokhara with one of his strong riding guides. Having just wrapped up some bike touring on my own I was keen to search out some proper single track and ride without bags, but hadn't the foresight to actually book something in advance (didn't know when I'd finish touring either). Jagan understands the differentiation between going for a bike ride around town and someone who wants to go mountain biking. Beshan was a young rider that kept challenging me on the climbs - he was fit and liked to be on the bike! We did a nice loop up towards Sarankot, down some village paths/jeep track that would have been darn near impossible to put together without some local knowledge, then across the paddy fields, and up to the World Peace Pagoda. The downhill singletrack from the Pagoda is excellent, but the whole ride pieced together over the morning makes for a nice overview of the Pokhara area.
Ted4606
Nov 1, 2016
Two signed up for the half day tour 35-40 km ride north [70 and 42 year old]. Only clients on reasonable TREK mountain bikes with gloves and helment. $5US each. Climbed 500 + metres to just below Sarangkot and saw the gliders feed the eagles as they swooped just above. While the Pokhara valley was mostly covered in smog the surrounding landscapes varied between forest and hill farming. Some of the initial hill sections were a walk for me. The down hill ride of 400 - 500 metres on single and rough twin tracks toward Pame and Phewa Lake was as challenging as this experienced 70 year old could manage without a slide or fall. Experience was clearly needed on a mountain bike! Great young guide. Take 2 litres of water as its hot going and no tea shops until get to Pame.
Max T
Dec 31, 2015
It was the best experience in Nepal for me and my buddy. cool bikes really great trails. We could enjoy two really good and challenging trails with an experienced guide and a great view. I think everyone can have a great time at Pokhara mount Bike Adventure, whether experienced Dounhill driver or with your family, I can only recommend. Best regards Max and Paul
James Dauman
May 15, 2014
As a regular visitor to Pokhara over the past 4 years, I have done several rides with various MTB tour operators and have for the most part enjoyed every one. However, the guys at Pokhara Mountain Bike Adventure are in a different class: they are highly professional, the bikes are higher quality and in better condition than those of other operators, the guides are excellent and there is a wide range of tours available (with flexibility to customise). In advance of my last visit (earlier this week), I contacted the company via email to enquire about doing a half-day ride, and was very impressed with the speed of the response (from Jagan) and the ease of making a booking. The ride itself combined two routes (Sarangkot and Peace Pagoda), involving two tough climbs (in pretty intense heat) and some very enjoyable downhill, particularly the single track through the forest below the Peace Pagoda. My guide (Laxuman) was friendly, physically fit (we both suffered from the heat though!), knew the routes well and was technically a good rider. I am planning a multi-day tour around the Annapurna region next year and will certainly be using Pokhara Mountain Bike Adventure to support me! Thanks for a great experience!
Josh Seltzer
Dec 6, 2025
Jagan and his team are incredibly kind and generous. I rented a hardtail as well as an ebike from them and they made it easy and gave me recommendations for local trails, along with all the gear I needed and beverages while I waited. The bikes were in excellent condition. The trail behind peace pagoda is super fun, s bit technical (and lots of stairs at the top) and their tours look amazing and well organized too.
Mrs M Faint
Nov 6, 2025
We had an awesome day with these guys so I'd thoroughly recommend them. We went for a day ride on full suspension bikes with a fabulous and knowledgable guide called Laxman. We went for a ride up to Sarangkot frim Pokhara with time for photos from a viewpoint before heading off down to the wetlands at the end of lake Phewa. We climbed up to the Peace Pagoda through gorgeous scenery, lunched there followed by a fab single track descent. They bought us extra water, facilitated a fabulous tea stop and had added an extra guide in case one of us (there were 3 on the ride) didn't want to do the full circuit. Beers with Jagan afterwards completed a fantastic day. I'm already browsing their multi day tours!
Brian Mulholland
Aug 3, 2025
Went mountain biking with Pokhara Mountain Bike Adventures around the Pandeli to World Peace Pagoda loop and had an amazing time, big thanks to Dhan for making it so enjoyable, it was clear to see his years of experience as a guide, he taught me a lot throughout the day and it was greatly appreciated. Would definitely recommend.
Challenging. The difficulty is physical rather than technical: 36 km with around 950 m of climbing in two sustained blocks, at low elevation where the air is warm. The trail surface reads at roughly S1 to S2 in dry conditions, which most regular trail riders handle comfortably. The climbing is what decides whether you enjoy the day.
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