Liglig Kot

Liglig Kot is a historic hilltop fort in the hills of Gorkha district — the old capital of a small Himalayan state that flourished before the Shah dynasty's rise at nearby Gorkha. Today it is a quiet, panoramic ridge with deep roots in local folklore, best known for an extraordinary tradition: an annual foot-race to the summit that once decided who would rule for the coming year.

The race that chose a king

By long-standing custom, the men of the old state ran a punishing race up the hill on a set day each year, and the first to reach the top was made king for the year ahead. The practice is woven into the area's identity and is still remembered with a commemorative run that draws locals to the ridge. It makes Liglig Kot a rare place where folklore is not just retold but re-enacted, giving visitors a tangible link to how leadership worked in these hill states centuries ago.

A turning point in Gorkha's story

Liglig Kot matters because of what came after. The consolidation of power in this corner of the hills eventually shifted toward Gorkha, where the Shah line built the fort-palace from which Prithvi Narayan Shah would launch the unification of Nepal. Standing on the old capital's ridge, you get a sense of the patchwork of small kingdoms that the Shah campaign would later stitch together. For the next chapter of that story, climb the Gorkha Durbar and trace the dynasty's rise at the Gorkha Museum.

What to expect

Reaching Liglig Kot involves a drive into the hills north-east of Gorkha town and a walk up to the ridge. There is little grand architecture — the draw is the panorama over the surrounding hills and, on a clear day, the Himalaya beyond, enjoyed with almost no crowds. It is an off-the-beaten-path stop, so a local guide or driver is helpful for finding the route.

Good to know

• Getting there: Off the main tourist trail — arrange a driver or local guide, and allow time for the hill road and the walk up.
• Timing: Clear mornings give the best mountain views; the commemorative race day is the most atmospheric but busiest time.
• Bring: Water, grippy shoes and a layer for the exposed ridge.
• Pair it with: The Upallokot viewpoint on the Durbar ridge and the wider Gorkha temples, cable car and history cluster; for more panoramas, see Nepal's best viewpoints.