Bishnudwar Forest Trail
A shaded forest walk from Budhanilkantha to a sacred Vishnu spring — one of the four sacred 'dwars' of Shivapuri.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
October-December, March-May
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
4.5h
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry (NPR 1,000 for foreigners)
Difficulty
Moderate
Kathmandu route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
Bishnudwar is one of the four sacred 'dwars' (gates/springs) of Shivapuri — the others being Baghdwar, Nagdwar, and Ghorto Dwar. The trail begins behind the famous Budhanilkantha reclining Vishnu temple and climbs steadily through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to the spring at roughly 2,050m, where water emerges from a carved stone Vishnu mouth.
The forest is some of the best-preserved close to Kathmandu: tall schima, chilaune, oak, and rhododendron shelter Himalayan langurs, barking deer, and over 150 bird species. The gradient is kinder than the Shivapuri Peak trail and the atmosphere more meditative — this is a favourite of Kathmandu residents who want the forest without the summit push.
Pair it with a pre-hike visit to the Jalaśayana Narayana temple below for a full Vishnu pilgrimage day, or extend upward toward Nagi Gompa.
Planning this trek? Local operators publishing trips here can arrange it.
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