Climb Every Mountain

Hungry to hike but not sure where to head first? Mark Bennetts and Paul Taylor give the lowdown on Nepal's highs, and tell us about some of the world's great walks

Climb Every Mountain

When it comes to sheer size and number of mountains, Nepal is tough to beat. The Himalaya dominate the entire length of the country, their snow-capped peaks soaring up to 8,000-plus metres, their foothills a tumble of lush terraces and verdant valleys.

But with all of these mountains to choose from, where do you start? There are two well-established trekking regions: Everest, north of Kathmandu, and the Annapurnas, accessible from Pokhara. Both areas are stunning and offer options for those who don’t fancy traditional tents or teahouses – each region has a route that lets you put your feet up in more comfortable lodges.

Annapurna region

Flights to Pokhara leave Kathmandu on a regular basis and, after a short drive into the beautiful Pokhara Valley, you’re ready to go. Colourful villages awash with blooming poinsettia and cake-baking teahouses speckle the slopes while the surrounding mountains become moreimpressive the higher you go. There’s no Everest, K2 or Kangchenjunga, but you’re still spoiled for sights: the towering Annapurnas I to IV loom on the horizon and distinctive Machapuchare (known as Fishtail – pictured left) soars into the clear blue sky. Despite all these peaks, the region is mostly a lower altitude than Everest’s environs, so the trekking is generally easier – leaving you more energy to fully enjoy some of the planet’s most breath-taking scenes.

Everest region

Perhaps it’s worth a bit more hiking hardship to catch a glimpse of the world’s highest mountain? There’s no doubt that Everest is a big draw – there’s nothing that quite compares to gazing up at its towering slopes. And the area around it doesn’t disappoint, either. Yaks and super-human porters scuttle along the trails, and Buddhist monasteries full of brightly cloaked monks perch on hillsides, prayer wheels spinning as they have for centuries. This colourful culture is a fascinating addition to any Himalayan hike in the area.

The flight to Everest from Kathmandu is a little unpredictable, but the pay-off is a landing at possibly the world’s most exhilarating airstrip. Flights from Kathmandu to mountain-bound Lukla are at the whim of the weather, but when they do take off you’re treated to magnificent views and an ‘interesting’ touch down. Lukla’s tiny runway slopes in order to slow landing planes and speed up those taking off; it also doubles as a local football pitch after its airport duties are done for the day.

 In both regions world-beating mountains, pristine valleys and friendly locals are guaranteed. Stay in the cosy lodges and it gets even better: warm, soft beds, delicious meals and steaming mugs of hot chocolate over post-walk chats await at the end of a day’s walk. Be it the majesty of the Annapurnas or the might of Everest, Nepal delivers.