Quick answer: Poon Hill is an easy to moderate trek and the best first trek in Nepal for most people. You walk 4 to 6 hours a day, sleep in lodges and reach only 3,210m, so altitude is rarely a problem. The one real challenge is more than 3,000 stone steps up to Ulleri. If you can walk uphill for a few hours on consecutive days, you can do this trek.
Poon Hill difficulty at a glance
Grade | Easy to moderate, no technical sections |
|---|---|
Highest point | Poon Hill, 3,210m (10,530ft) |
Highest sleeping point | Ghorepani, about 2,850m |
Trekking days | 3 to 5 (our trip has 5 days on the trail) |
Walking per day | 4 to 6 hours |
Distance | Roughly 30 to 40km, depending on route |
Hardest section | The stone steps from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri |
Altitude sickness risk | Low |
Accommodation | Lodges with food every night |
Is the Poon Hill trek hard?
Not by Himalayan standards, but it is still a real trek with real climbing. You gain about 2,100m from the road at Nayapul (1,070m) to the top of Poon Hill, and most of that comes in a day and a half. People who come expecting a gentle stroll are usually surprised by the steps.
It feels manageable for three reasons: daily distances are short, there is a lodge or tea stop every hour or so, and you sleep lower than 3,000m every night. If the trek is harder than you expected, you can slow down, stop early and rest.
The Ulleri steps: the hardest part
Annapurna South above flowering shrubs on the Poon Hill trailBetween Tikhedhunga (1,540m) and Ulleri (2,080m) the trail climbs more than 3,000 stone steps. This is the part people remember. Allow about two hours, take it slowly, and start early so you climb in the shade.
The steps are hard on tired legs but safe: wide, well made and used every day by villagers and mules. Give way to mule trains on the inside of the trail, away from the drop. Poles help a lot, going up and even more coming down.
After Ulleri the trail eases into oak and rhododendron forest and climbs steadily to Ghorepani.
How hard is each day?
This is the walking part of our Poon Hill trek.
Day | Route | Time | Height change | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nayapul to Tikhedhunga (1,540m) | 2 to 3 hours | about +470m | Easy warm-up |
2 | Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (about 2,850m) via Ulleri | 6 to 7 hours | about +1,310m | The hard day |
3 | Dawn hike to Poon Hill (3,210m), then to Tadapani (2,630m) | 6 to 7 hours in total | +360m, then down and up | Long but rewarding |
4 | Tadapani to Ghandruk (1,940m) | about 4 hours | about −690m | Knees, forest, Gurung village |
5 | Ghandruk to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara | 3 to 4 hours | about −870m | Easy finish |
The sunrise hike: you leave Ghorepani before dawn with a headlamp and climb for 45 minutes to an hour. It is steep but short. From the top you see Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre as the sun comes up. Expect company; in season the viewpoint is busy.
Altitude: do you need to worry?
Only a little. Altitude sickness can begin above about 2,500m, and you sleep at around 2,850m at Ghorepani, so a mild headache is possible, but serious problems are rare. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you feel unwell. Our guide to preventing altitude sickness lists the warning signs.
Is Poon Hill good for complete beginners?
Yes. You do not need trekking experience. You do need basic fitness, because the second day is long. Four to six weeks of preparation is plenty if you do not already walk regularly:
- Two or three walks a week, building up to 3 or 4 hours on hills
- Stairs, with a light backpack, to prepare for Ulleri
- Practice walks in the boots you plan to wear
Beginners most often struggle with sore knees on the way down and with new boots, not with fitness. Poles and broken-in boots solve most of it.
Can children do the Poon Hill trek?
Yes, and many families do. Trekking companies run family versions for children from about age 6, though there is no official minimum. What matters is whether your child is used to walking for several hours and happy to keep going on stairs.
Tips for families:
- Add a day or two, and split the Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani day by sleeping in Ulleri.
- Hire a porter, so that you can carry your child's layers rather than the whole bag.
- Bring warm layers for the dawn hike; children get cold faster than adults.
- Watch for altitude symptoms. Young children may not be able to describe them, so treat unusual tiredness or loss of appetite seriously.
Can older trekkers do it?
Yes. Age matters less than knees and regular walking. Older trekkers do best by taking extra days, using poles, and hiring a porter. The long descent from Tadapani to Ghandruk is where they are most likely to need more time.
How many days do you need?
Option | Who it suits |
|---|---|
3 days from Pokhara | Short on time and fit; a fast pace on the steps |
4 days from Pokhara | The usual choice; comfortable with Ghandruk or a shorter return |
5 days from Pokhara | Beginners, families, older trekkers; adds time in Ghandruk |
Add a day each way to get between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Best time for Poon Hill, including winter
Snow peaks above flowering bushes on the Ghorepani trailPoon Hill can be trekked for most of the year because of its low altitude.
- March to April: rhododendron forests in bloom, the best-known season here. See our rhododendron forest guide.
- October to November: the clearest skies and the busiest lodges.
- December to February: quiet and clear. Daytime in Ghorepani is about 5 to 10°C, but the dawn hike is below freezing, and can feel like −8 to −10°C with wind. Light snow is possible, and stone steps can be icy early in the morning, so start later on stair days.
- June to September: monsoon. Rain, leeches and clouds over the peaks. Not recommended for a first trek.
Do you need a guide for Poon Hill?
Nepal announced in 2023 that foreign trekkers need a licensed guide on many trekking routes, and agency lists of those routes include Poon Hill-ABC. In practice, reports from the Annapurna region are inconsistent: some describe checks at checkpoints, others say guides are not asked for. We could not find a current official notice that settles it, so ask when you book, and check again before you travel.
Rules aside, a guide is worth having on a first trek. The route is not hard to follow, but a guide sets the pace, handles lodges, watches for altitude symptoms and knows what to do if something goes wrong. A porter makes the steps far easier.
You also need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). See our trekking permits page for current fees.
What to pack
You do not need specialist kit outside winter. The essentials: broken-in boots, poles, a warm jacket for the dawn hike, a headlamp, layers, a rain shell, and a sleeping bag or liner if you are going in the colder months. Our packing list has the full version.
Poon Hill vs Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp
Poon Hill | Mardi Himal | Annapurna Base Camp | |
|---|---|---|---|
Highest point | 3,210m | 4,500m | 4,130m |
Grade | Easy to moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Trail days | 3 to 5 | 4 to 7 | 7 to 11 |
Best for | First trek, families | Big views in a week | Being inside the Annapurna Sanctuary |
If you feel confident after a week of hiking at home, read the Mardi Himal difficulty guide. If you want the gentlest first taste of the Himalaya, choose Poon Hill.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Poon Hill trek easy?
Easy to moderate. There is no technical ground and altitude is low, but the climb to Ulleri and Ghorepani is a tiring day.
How many steps are there on the Poon Hill trek?
More than 3,000 stone steps between Tikhedhunga and Ulleri. Numbers quoted vary, usually around 3,200 to 3,300.
How high is Poon Hill?
3,210m (10,530ft). Most trekkers sleep at Ghorepani, about 350m lower, and hike up for sunrise.
How long is the Poon Hill trek?
Three to five days on the trail from Pokhara, and about 30 to 40km depending on the route you choose.
Can a 6-year-old do the Poon Hill trek?
Some do, with a slower itinerary and a porter. It depends on whether your child already walks for several hours at a time. If in doubt, start with a shorter walk around Pokhara.
Can I trek Poon Hill without a guide?
The trail itself is easy to follow, but the rules are unclear. Nepal's 2023 guide requirement is listed for this route by agencies, and enforcement is reported as inconsistent. Check when you book.
Is it worth doing Poon Hill in December?
Yes, if you bring warm layers. It is one of the best winter treks because it stays low, and the air is clear. The trails are also quieter.
Written by Krishna Ghimire, Senior Himalayan Specialist at Nature Heaven Treks & Expedition. Last updated November 2026.
See dates, the full itinerary and inclusions for our Poon Hill trek.
