Strong wheels,knobbly tyres,a soft padded seat and 17 more gears than the average Nepali bike - the mountain bike is an ideal,go anywhere,versatile machine for exploring Nepal.These attributes make it possible to escape sealed roads,and to ride tracks and ancient walking trails to remote,rarely visited areas of the country.Importantly,they allow independent travel - you can stop whenever you like - and they liberate you from crowded buses and claustrophobic taxis.

Nepal's tremendously diverse terrain and its many tracks and trails are ideal for mountain biking.In recent years,Nepal has rapidly gained recognition for the biking adventures it offers - from easy village trails in the Kathmandu Valley to challenging mountain roads that climb thousands of metres to reach spectacular viewpoints,followed by unforgettable,exhilarating descents.For the adventurous there are large areas of the country still to be explored by mountain bike. 

The Kathmandu Valley offers the best and most consistent biking in Nepal,with a vast network of tracks,trails and back roads.A mountain bike really allows you to get off the beaten track and discover idyllic Newari villages that have preseved their traditional lifestyle.Even today,it's possible to cycle into villages in the Kathmandu Valley that have rarely seen a visitor on a foreign bicycle.Each year more roads are developing,opening trails to destinations that were previously accessible only on foot.

Many trails are narrow,century-old walkways that are not shown on maps,so you need a good sense of direction when venturing out without a guide.To go unguided entails some risks,and you should learn a few important words of Nepali to assist in seeking directions.It's also important to know the name of the next village you wish to reach.