Pokhara Metropolitan City, with the support of Nepal Urban Resilience Programme (NURP) and Cycle City Pokhara (CCP), has identified a lake-to-lake cycle route of 85km which connects 9 of 10 lakes and 18 out of 33 wards of PMC. The main objective of identifying and promoting the lake-to-lake cycle route is to help revive tourism activities in Pokhara through enhancing the length of stay of the tourists, as well as to aid the local communities to reap economic benefits and to contribute to green economic growth. To have a complete and dedicated lake-to-lake cycle route is also one of the long-term visions of PMC.

The lake-to-lake cycle route is a Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID) initiative as it promotes green mobility, helps to improve the resilience of tourism industry and contributes to build a diverse and inclusive local economy. The lake-to-lake cycle route is a part of leisure tourism that helps to reduce burning of fuel by commuters and to promote eco-tourism as well as facilitate rural urban linkages. Similarly, it aids to strengthen Pokhara’s tourism industry by enhancing the number of visitors and their stay and helps build community resilience of the neighbouring cycle route settlements by the provision of improved income opportunities. The cycle route will also provide special considerations to places and spots where women and marginalized communities can get more benefits from various tourism avenues and thus, can be better mainstreamed into regular markets.

The northern part of the Cycle Route facilitates the movement of cycle tourists from Fewa to Rupa linking other seven lakes of PMC. The southern part links Fewa lakeside to the peripheral wards to the south providing users with panoramic views of the whole Pokhara valley and the Himalayan Range via ridgeline riding. The detailed project report of the cycle route has been designed by doing a deep analysis of the significance of the location from the point of its distance to scenic view, close historical, architectural or religious sites, and with respect to relative distances between points to give rest to the bicycle riders and where refreshments can be purchased. This cycling route provides many tourism attractions that starts from Fewa Lake in the western side of Pokhara and circles the entire city through Kamalphokari-Gunde-Neurani-Khaste-Maidi-Dipang-Begnas-Rupa (in the extreme east) and through Lamgadi, Ritthepani, Chauthe, Majheripatan, Dhungesangu and Sitapaila to reach Fewa lake again through Damside.

The start of the route at Fewa Lake is very convenient as tourists and cycling enthusiasts can hire varieties of bikes at different rental shops within the Lakeside.

The entire 85 km of the route takes almost two days to complete, including multiple rest stops and a night stay along the way. However, an experienced cyclist might be able to complete the route in one single day if they avoid stopping for resting or sightseeing. The Begnas/Rupa Lake area is perhaps the most accessible for cyclists to rest for the night. This area also marks the mid-point of the entire trip.

The best season to opt for lake-to-lake cycle route is during the spring and autumn, avoiding the fierce monsoon and winters that might potentially present some hindrances in the weather.

The route is designed for everybody. For people that cycle regularly, the route provides some adventures on the way in the form of challenging terrain. For people that like the leisure of cycling along with some sightseeing, there are multiple tourist attractions along the way. There are also many eateries around the cycle route that tourists can enjoy. And for beginners, the part of the route with plain elevation can be used for easy recreation.

Cyclists are encouraged to carry necessary bike maintenance items on themselves, in case of an emergency wherein a cycle breaks down on the middle of the route. There are bicycle workshops in New Road, around Begnas lake as well as some in segments of the route that are part of the highway, but it’s always better to come prepared.

And in case somebody gets sick on the way, there are multiple health posts run by the Metropolitan City along the route.

There are few bike-renters in the Lakeside that provide guided tours of the route. There are signages along the way that will help you in your ride.