Outdoors
Annapurna Lakeside Ride
You hire a bike in Lakeside and ride along Phewa Lake, Nepal's most visited lake, with Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range about 28 km away on clear days. Stronger riders can climb the steep paved road to Sarangkot, carry on over rough track to Naudanda and drop to Hemja before heading back.
- Where
- Pokhara, Nepal
The route
Lakeside shore ride on Phewa Lake, with the harder Sarangkot-Naudanda-Hemja loop as an option.
Start in Lakeside (Baidam), on the eastern shore of Phewa Lake, where many shops hire bikes. Pokhara is a 40-minute flight or a 6-7 hour bus ride from Kathmandu.
When to go
October and November, in the dry season, are the best months for cycling here.
Before you go
- Bike hire in Lakeside costs roughly Rs300-2,000 a day depending on the bike; check the seat height before you set off.
- Pick a clear day if you want to see the peaks reflected in the lake.
- Allow about 3 hours for the Sarangkot-Naudanda-Hemja loop; that is a fast time.
- For a shorter climb, the ride from Damside up along the World Peace Pagoda ridge takes under an hour.
What to bring
- Helmet
- Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
- Water and snacks
- Front and rear lights
- A layer for descents and stops
Getting ready for it
Time in the saddle matters more than speed.
If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.
Staying safe
- The Sarangkot climb is steep, about 40 minutes uphill on paved road, and the section to Naudanda is rocky, so use a geared bike.
- Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
- Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.
Route details checked September 30, 2026 against en.wikivoyage.org, en.wikipedia.org and ntb.gov.np. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.
