MYAGDI: Tourism infrastructure has been expanded in the Ghodepani–Poon Hill area, one of the major tourist destinations in Annapurna Rural Municipality-6 of Myagdi.
During the current fiscal year 2025/26, a bicycle trail, hiking trails, public toilets and a bus park have been constructed with a budget of Rs 2.7 million from Annapurna Rural Municipality and Rs 500,000 from the Gandaki Provincial Government.
Ward Chair Ram Bahadur Khadka said all projects allocated for tourism infrastructure development in the Ghodepani–Poon Hill area have been completed.
“To encourage tourists to stay longer in Ghodepani and Poon Hill, we have continued identifying new attractions and expanding tourism infrastructure,” he said. “The new facilities will make travel more convenient for visitors.”
A four-kilometre cycling trail linking Poon Hill with Lunglung Siddha, Laligurans Park and Phaleghar in Ghodepani has been built with a budget of Rs 600,000.
Situated at an altitude of 3,210 metres above sea level, Poon Hill now offers visitors an adventurous mountain biking experience through rhododendron forests with panoramic Himalayan views.
The rural municipality has also built a foot trail, entrance gate and public toilets leading to Laligurans Park with an investment of Rs 1.4 million.
Consumers’ Committee Chair Ran Bahadur Pun said around 300 metres of muddy trail have been improved with proper grading and paving. Another 40 metres of stone-paved footpath have been constructed at Deurali Danda with a budget of Rs 300,000.
A bus park has also been built at Lower Ghodepani at a cost of Rs 300,000. The area was connected to the road network via Ulleri in neighbouring Kaski district this year through a community-led initiative.
Khadka said a hiking trail linking Ghodepani and Ghandruk has also been completed with Rs 500,000 provided by the Gandaki Provincial Government.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is implementing a Rs 30 million project to gravel the four-kilometre road connecting Chitre and Ghodepani.
A hiking trail connecting Laligurans Park and Peribharani Lake had previously been developed to diversify tourism in the Ghodepani–Poon Hill area.
Dam Bahadur Pun, a resident of Ghodepani and former chair of Annapurna Rural Municipality, said a feasibility study has also been carried out for a cycling route connecting Ramche-Kafaldanda, Histan Tikot, Sikh and Khiwang.
The initiative aims to create new attractions and encourage visitors to spend more time in the area, particularly as some traditional trekking trails have been replaced by roads.
After a 45-minute uphill walk from Ghodepani, visitors reach Poon Hill, one of Nepal’s most popular sunrise viewpoints, offering panoramic views of the Gurja, Putha, Manapathi, Nilgiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges.
Ghodepani–Poon Hill is one of the key destinations along the world-renowned Annapurna trekking circuit.
Comment