Pokhara Metropolitan City is moving ahead with an ambitious infrastructure plan to connect all nine lakes of Pokhara through a cycling trail and road network, aiming to strengthen the city’s position as a leading sustainable tourism destination. The proposed project, estimated to cost Rs. 1.52 billion, is expected to improve access to the lakes and surrounding attractions while encouraging visitors to explore more of the city. Starting from the Phewa Lake area in Ward No. 6, the planned network will include dedicated cycling lanes and road connections linking the nine lakes.
The initiative is intended to expand Pokhara’s tourism appeal beyond its most visited attractions and create opportunities for lesser known destinations around the lakes. According to Mayor Dhan Raj Acharya, the project is expected to encourage tourists to visit different parts of the city rather than limiting their activities to the Phewa Lake area. The metropolitan city believes the improved connectivity will support sustainable tourism, strengthen local economic activities and provide visitors with more opportunities to experience Pokhara’s natural beauty.
Nine Lakes to Be Connected Through a New Tourism Network
The proposed cycling trail and road network will connect all nine lakes of Pokhara, creating a more accessible route for visitors interested in exploring the city’s natural attractions. The project will begin from the Phewa Lake area in Ward No. 6 and extend towards the other lakes through a connected transport network. With dedicated cycling lanes included in the plan, visitors will be able to travel between the lakes by bicycle as well as other vehicles.
The project is expected to make it easier for tourists to discover destinations that currently receive less attention than Phewa Lake and the Lakeside area. By linking different lakes and their surrounding attractions, the city aims to create a more integrated tourism experience. The improved network is also expected to encourage outdoor recreation and provide visitors with additional ways to explore Pokhara’s landscapes.
Project Aims to Extend Tourists’ Stay in Pokhara
One of the major objectives of the initiative is to increase the average length of visitors’ stays in Pokhara. Mayor Acharya believes that connecting all nine lakes will encourage tourists to spend more time exploring different parts of the city. He said the project could help extend tourists’ stays by at least two additional days, creating more opportunities for sightseeing and local experiences.
The metropolitan city expects the initiative to bring lesser known lakes and nearby tourism areas into greater prominence. Instead of concentrating visitor activities around Phewa Lake, the connected network is intended to distribute tourism activities across a wider area. This could also benefit accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators and other businesses serving visitors around the lakes.
Pokhara’s Nature, Culture and Adventure Tourism in Focus
Pokhara has been recognized as Nepal’s Tourism Capital, reflecting its combination of natural attractions, cultural heritage and adventure tourism opportunities. Mayor Acharya said the metropolitan city has been prioritizing development initiatives that bring these tourism strengths together. He described Pokhara as a destination shaped by nature, culture and adventure, adding that the proposed lake to lake cycling network would be an important step towards sustainable tourism development.
Acharya also recalled that connecting all nine lakes through cycling routes and roads was one of his commitments during the local election campaign. He expressed satisfaction that the proposed project was moving towards implementation during the final phase of his tenure. According to him, more than Rs. 33 billion worth of development projects have been advanced in Pokhara since he took office, reflecting the metropolitan city’s broader infrastructure and development agenda.
Local Businesses and Communities Expected to Benefit
Beyond improving visitor access, the project is expected to create wider economic opportunities for communities living around Pokhara’s lakes. Increased tourist movement could support local businesses, encourage new tourism related enterprises and generate employment in areas that have not traditionally received as many visitors. The metropolitan city believes that better connectivity will help expand economic activities around the lakes and distribute tourism benefits more widely.
Once implemented, the network is expected to connect Pokhara’s lakes, natural landscapes and surrounding attractions within a broader tourism framework. The initiative could strengthen the city’s appeal for visitors interested in cycling, nature based activities and outdoor exploration. By linking tourism infrastructure with local economic development, Pokhara Metropolitan City aims to promote a more diversified and sustainable visitor experience.
