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Shared By: Frances Fierst on Jan 24, 2011
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Nagarjun Forest Reserve is in northwest Kathmandu, just outside of the ring road. The main entrance to the reserve, Phulbari gate, is about 2km north of Balaju, which is about 5 kms from the center of the city. There is a fee to enter the reserve and like everything in Nepal, foreigners pay a premium. Foreigners pay 250 NR, whereas locals pay 10 NR. There is also a charge to bring in a car/motorcycle/bicycle 100/30/10NR. You will have to pay and register with the attendant before you are allowed to enter the park. The park is open 7am-7pm during summer and 7am-5pm in winter.

nagarjun, also known as the Rani Ban (Queen's Forest), which is home to pheasants, deer, monkeys and a couple of military posts. It is one of the last significant areas of untouched forest in the valley.

In addition to rock climbing, many people visit the park to hike to the summit for the great views of the valley. A winding unpaved road and a much more direct footpath lead to the summit (2095m), which is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site (the reserve is named after the Buddhist saint Nagarjuna). There's a small shrine at the summit to Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche in Tibetan) and a viewing tower offers one of the valley's widest mountain panoramas, stretching on a clear day all the way from the Annapurnas to Langtang Lirung, via Machhapuchhare, Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal (a plaque at the bottom of the tower identifies all the peaks). There are also grand views of Kathmandu and its valley laid at your feet to the south, assuming you can see through the smog and pollution. It's possible to make an enjoyable two-hour cardio-hike up to the summit from near the main gate.

The climbing consists of about 20 routes on a limestone cliff. Routes range from about 50 to 80 feet high. Most can be top-roped or lead on bolts. There were chain anchors at the top. The cliff is broken up into 4 separate faces. Most of the climbing is slightly slabby to vertical, and the routes would be considered moderate difficulty.

You can easily get by with a 50m rope and 2 quick draws to set your rope. You might want to bring something to place under your rope since it often goes over the rock edge if you are top roping. Routes can be lead but the bolts were of varying age, quality, and condition.

Getting There Suggest change

Since there are few recognized street names in Kathmandu, it is hard to give directions. Make your way to Balaju, and head out of town on the Trisuli highway. Follow the road uphill about 2 kms past Balaju. On the left hand side of the road at the first police checkpoint is the main entrance.

Once inside the park, follow the "road". It is a road by Nepali standards, but most of us would call it a rough trail. When you hit a fork in the road, take the road on the left that traverses the hill rather than going up. There is a sign reads "Balaju". Roughly 2 kms after entering, you will see a small pull-out on the right side. The cliff will be easily visible from here.

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Classic Climbing Routes at Nagarjun Forest Reserve (aka Balaju)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 6
Route 14
Sport, Alpine
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Route 14
 6
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport, Alpine
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