Kahun Danda, the hill on the wrong side of town
An hour's walk from the middle of Pokhara there is a viewpoint that hardly any foreign visitors see, because it is east of the lake and everyone looks the other way.
By the Lakeshore team · 5 min read · Updated 5 October 2026
Visitors orient themselves by the lake and the mountains, which lie west and north. East of Pokhara city there is a ridge with a view tower on top, a monastery on the way up, and a walk you can start from the middle of town.
Sarangkot is more dramatic, admittedly. But Kahun Danda is an hour from wherever you are staying, you need no transport, and you will very likely have it to yourself. This is the walk for a spare morning when you don't want to organise anything.
The route
From the eastern side of the city the path climbs through the outskirts and then up the ridge to Kahun Danda, at around 1,440 m, where there is a view tower.
Allow an hour to an hour and a half to get up, on a mix of track and path. The city drops away below you and the Annapurnas appear over your shoulder as you climb.
From the tower you see Pokhara laid out, with Phewa on one side and Begnas on the other, and on a clear morning the mountains along the horizon. For getting your bearings it's the best view in Pokhara, because you can see how the whole valley fits together.
Matepani Gumba on the way
Matepani Gumba is a Buddhist monastery on a small hill on the eastern side of the city, and it makes an easy stop on the way to or from Kahun Danda.
It's a working gompa with a resident community, not a visitor attraction, and it's usually quiet. Take your shoes off, keep your voice down, and ask before taking photos inside. A city walk, the monastery, the ridge and the view tower add up to a good half day that costs nothing but time.
Why so few people go
Lakeside is west and the mountains are north, so everything built for visitors points that way. East Pokhara doesn't make it onto anyone's itinerary.
It also doesn't photograph as well as the lake, so you don't see it shared online.
If you're staying more than a few days, that's a reason to go. This is the closest thing Pokhara has to a walk of your own.
Walk it with us
Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.
Questions we get asked
Can I walk there from Lakeside?
It's a long way across town, so take a taxi to the eastern side and start the climb from there. From the city centre you can walk it.
Is the path obvious?
Mostly, with some junctions in the outskirts, and people will point. A guide isn't necessary but makes it simpler, so ask us if you want company.
How does the view compare to Sarangkot?
Lower and less dramatic for the mountains, but better for understanding the valley, and far quieter.
Is it safe alone?
Yes, in daylight, and there are people around on the lower sections. As anywhere, tell someone where you're going.
Still deciding?
Tell us your dates and how much walking you've done, and we'll tell you whether Pokhara Highlights Day Tour is right for you. If it isn't, we'll say so.
Nothing to pay online. We confirm your dates first.
Or call the office +977 61-457830