By Thakur Prasad Acharya, Myagdi, July 20: A new trekking route to Annapurna Base Camp, a popular tourist destination in Myagdi, has been constructed.
The new trail has been developed by laying stone steps at various points from Gurase Danda along the Maurice Herzog Trek to Panchkunda Lake, located at the base camp of the 8,091-metre Annapurna I in Narchyang, Ward No. 4 of Annapurna Rural Municipality.
The construction of the route has made it easier for trekkers to reach Annapurna Base Camp.
The previous trail had become damaged and dilapidated, making hiking difficult. In response, the rural municipality allocated a budget to construct a new trekking route.
Hari Chandra Budha, sub-engineer at Annapurna Rural Municipality, said that the Rs. 2 million budget allocated in the last fiscal year (2025/26 or 2082/83 BS) was implemented through a users’ committee. Under the project, around 2,100 stone steps were constructed at various points along the trekking route.
“We have constructed new stone trails at convenient locations from Gurase Danda on the Maurice Herzog Trail to Panchkunda Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,050 metres,” he said.
Narimaya Gurung, chairperson of the Users’ Committee, said that the stone-paved trail has made the journey safer and more convenient for tourists. Meanwhile, a new suspension bridge has been constructed over Humkhola along the Maurice Herzog Trail, replacing the old and dilapidated structure.
The 57-metre-long bridge has made travel along the trekking route easier for trekkers.
Diva Tilija Pun, vice-chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, said the new bridge has ended the risk faced by people who previously had to cross the Mistri Khola using a narrow wooden bridge.
“Earlier, only one or two people could cross the bridge at a time. With the construction of the suspension bridge, trekkers, tourists and local residents can now cross the river safely and conveniently,” he said.
According to the rural municipality, the bridge was constructed with a conditional grant of more than Rs. 1.3 million from the federal government, construction materials worth Rs. 189,693, a matching grant of over Rs. 1.3 million from the rural municipality, and labour contributions worth Rs. 37,880 from local residents.
Annapurna Base Camp can be reached after a two-day trek via the Maurice Herzog Trail, also known as the Annapurna Climbing Trek, which begins at Humkhola in Narchyang. The trail, which follows the banks of the Mistri Khola, offers spectacular natural scenery.
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