The mountains and valleys have several trails used by locals. Walks to monasteries and villages are an opportunity to exit city streets and embark on an adventure, where meetings with monks and villagers are likely. Although Bhutan is home to the Himalayas, there are plenty of opportunities to hike at lower levels. Hiking trails lead through flowering rhododendron, alpine forests, and farm land to unveil breathtaking views from high ridges with snow-capped peaks and deep valleys with series of mountain ridges forming beautiful mountain chains. Therefore, the best way to explore Bhutan is by walking and Hiking.
10 best hiking trails in Bhutan
1. Tiger Nest Hike - Paro
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, is one of Bhutan’s most recognized spots. Everybody who visits Bhutan hikes to Tiger Nest as it isanextraordinaryplace.The Tiger’s Nest Monasterywas built on the face of a sheer cliff, 900 meters above the valley. It is stunning in its beauty and location.Without a doubt, your firsttime, trip to Bhutan would not be complete without seeing the Tiger’s Nest.If you are contemplating a trip to Bhutan. You must do it. It’s one of the most awesome spots in the world. Guru Rinpoche flew to this place riding a Tigress, thus the name Tiger Nest.
The visit to Tiger Nest can be whole day specially if you are thoroughly enjoying the place and if you want to be there for some time. On average it will take from 3 to 4 hours. There is a beautiful cafe with wonderful view of the Taktsang Monastery for Lunch, tea and snacks.
2. KilaKungkarpo Sky Burial Hike - Paro
You will begin by driving to Chelela pass, which is at 3990m the highest motorroad pass in Bhutan. On clear days you will be greeted by overwhelming view of Jomolhari. Walk along the ridge, adorned with thick fluttering prayer flags. You can also gain good merit by fixing your own prayer flag if you have brought one with you. From the ridge is the breathtaking views of valleys of Paro and Haa on the either side. Thick Rhododendron bush and flowers adorn the mountain slope making your hike more enchanting. Look for blue poppy, Bhutan’s national flower, its grown around here. Climbing higher up eventually reaching the highest point at Gungkarpo (4400m), where you will find sky burial spot. The trail then descends abruptly through opened natural meadow and enters thick forest of silver fir and broadleaved Rhododendrons trees finally coming out at Kila Goemba Nunnery. The place is magnificent with clusters of temples built on the face of cliff with amazing overlooking view of Paro valley. The name Kilameans a place of profound peace.
Highest Altitude: 4400m3. Bumdra Hike with overnight Camp - Paro
This spiritual hike to Bumdra starts from a monastery above Paro valley. The 2-hour uphill hike is through forests of pine, spruce and fir with amazing viewof Paro valley below. The trail steadily rolls to a pretty temple, then to a wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags, and a little further is a place where we camp for a night. Experience our luxury camp and delicious meals. The camp is tucked away just under Bumdra monastery, which is believed to have been blessed by one hundred thousand angels. Venturing further up for another 40 minutes above the camp will take you to the top at 4200m. From here you can enjoy unimpeded views of the Himalayan range.
Highest Altitude: 4000m4. Zuri Namthong Karpo Hike - Paro
After an elaborate visit to the national museum, you will walk along the dirt road for about 20 minutes above the Museum which then levels along the slope to Goensakha Temple. From here, you get a spectacular view of the entire Paro valley below. It is also a good opportunity to take pictures of Paro valley including the Rinpung Dzong, Airport, Paro town, and the surrounding mountains. Along the trail you might also have an opportunity to witness the landing and taking off of Drukair flight, the aircraft skimming down the tall hills or rising abruptly high. Namthong Karpo cave is where Guru Rinpoche mediated for 3 months. Walk a little further through the forested hillside and arrive at century-old Zuri Dzong. You will then descend to Uma Resort, where youwill be picked up. This beautiful hike serves as acclimatization and adaptation for the trek if you any the next day.
Highest Altitude: 2600m5. Lungchutse via Dochula Pass - Thimphu
This is one of the most picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. On clear days, one can enjoy 360° view of the breathtaking Himalayan Mountain ranges from the top of Lungchutsegoenpa to the extreme north. Once you are at the Dochula Pass (3140m), walk to the south of the mani wall and Chorten. Head up the ridge through cattle trails until you find recognizable Homo sapiens trail. You will then follow up the ridge through a forest of hemlock, birch and rhododendrons until reaching an open meadow, where yak herders camp in winter. Next, you will enter into forest of moss-covered rhododendrons, gigantic hemlocks, junipers, and bamboo undergrowth. A small trail leads you the last 50 meters past a row of fluttering prayer flags up to Lungchutse temple surrounded by prayer flags on heavily logged slopes. After a brief visit to the temple, you will descend through the trail to the left just 150 meters below Lungchutse, leading to 18th century Trashing goenpa an important mediation centre. The trail leading down from the front of the temple zigzags steeply down the side of the mountain until farm road which takes you up to the main road, where your car will drive you to Thimphu.
Highest Altitude: 3600m6. KhamsumYuelley Namgyel Hike - Punakha
Built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother in the late 20th century, this temple is dedicated to the Kingdom’s welfare as well as a long prosperous life of our Druk Gyalpo. The temple is the epitome of the finest Bhutanese craftsmanship and artistic traditions. From the base of the hill on which the temple stands you will cross the suspension bridge, walk through rice paddies and hike up a slightly inclined trail. You will be greeted with the best view of Punakha valley from the 4-storied temple. The hike totals up to an hour and is followed by a short hike down of approximately 30 minutes. The walk can be slightly muddy and slippery during summer. Enjoy the hike and the view.
HigestAltidude: 1500m7. Gelegang Hike - Punakha
The Giligang Trail is the best day-trek in Punakha if you also want to see the main sights: Khamsum Chorten, the hill-top Giligang Temple and ending in Punakha Dzong. Begin by walking through traditional farmland and paddy fields to Khamsum Chorten where the views from the top are superb. Continue walking up to Giligang, where you will have a picnic lunch. After lunch, you then descend to the river where you come across Punakha Dzong.
Highest Elevation: 1500m8. LongteyNomads Hike - Phobjekha
If you are looking for a picturesque hike through some of the most beautiful parts of Gangtey, this is the one. The path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully colored rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. We climb up gradually through the thickets of dwarf bamboos, birch, rhododendron, hemlock and fir to Kayche La, marked with some prayer flags. The other side of the pass is mostly meadows, and from here it is all downhill through the long and beautiful stretch of meadows and farms.
Highest Elevation: 3500m9. Gangtey nature Trail Hike - Phobjekha
Gangtey Nature Trail hike is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the Mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the GangteyGonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1hr 30minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjikha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hiking places for the Nature lovers. During the winter months, we can see the endangered species of birds – Black Neck Cranes.
Highest Elevation: 3000m10. Bumthang Bushman Trail
The Bumthang Bushman Trail has been introduced as a biking trail and is a pleasant and fairly easy hike. The hike starts from KharchuDratshang junction on a farm road for half an hour through the pasture land. The path then traverses through the pine forest to the hilltop from where we can have a good view of Chamkhar valley. There is a very good open path at the top of the hill with a beautiful meadow to have your snacks. After a short break, continue the walk through the pine forest and when you are about to reach the end of the trail, you can see the Zangdopelri (Paradise of Ugyen Guru Rimpoche) at Dungmithang and can also view the Pemacholling Nunnery. At the end of the hike, you can visit the BebzurChukpoi Mei (House of the novelty of Bebzur), which has been turned into a museum. Traditional Bumthap lunch can be enjoyed at the Museum. Advance booking will have to be made for the arrangement of the lunch. Another option is to have your picnic lunch at the Pemacholling Nunnery, which is another 10-minute walk from the Museum. After lunch, if you still feel like more walk, you can continue walking on a farm road to Mebartsho, The Burning Lake. Otherwise, your car will be waiting at the end of the trail to take you to the museum, Pemacholing Nunnery and the Mebartsho before driving back to the lodge.
Highest Elevation: 3000m