Marble Dada (1,762 m) is a perfect hilltop for your upcoming Saturday trip.
Riders can take their motorcycles, cycles, or even four-wheelers up to the top. And those who love hiking can complete the hike within just an hour from Godawari.
There’s actually a short story about how Marble Dada came into existence. It’s tied to the Godawari Marble Factory, which no longer operates today.
Today, I’ll share every piece of information that I have gathered about this viral spot in Lalitpur. Let’s start the blog!
Key Facts About Marble Danda
| Location | Godawari, Lalitpur, Bagmati District |
| Altitude | 1,762m |
| Mode of Transportation | Private or Public vehicle + Hiking |
| Distance (from Satbobato) | 12 km approx. |
| Distance (from Godawari Buspark) | 2 km |
| Time to reach (hiking from Godawari) | 1 hour |
| Time to reach (riding from Satdobato) | 45 minutes |
| Time to reach (riding + hiking) | 30 minutes + 15 minutes |
| Entry Fee | NPR 10 |
| Best Time to Visit | October to April |
How to Reach Marble Dada in Godawari?
Marble Danda is located right above the former Godawari Marble Factory. That’s the reason you’ll find the hill covered with marbles once you reach the top.
Reportedly, the factory’s operations, including quarrying and extraction work, caused adverse impacts on the local environment and threatened flora and fauna in the Godawaru region. For that reason, the Supreme Court decided to close it back in 2015.
While the factory closed, Kathmandu Valley residents gained a new spot to hang out. And its popularity has been growing ever since then.
You can either take your private vehicle or reach Godawari Bus Park to start the hike. Let’s break down each idea:
Take Your Ride to the Top
Marble Dada really serves as a great spot for both riders and drivers looking for a short getaway.
All types of two-wheelers (motorcycle, scooter, or mountain bike) can reach the top. Be sure to take a snap once you get there. And if you’re planning to upload, be sure to tag us!
Four-wheelers can push up as far as the road allows.
First, reach Godawari Buspark and continue on the scenic route that leads to Phulchowki Hills. On your way, you’ll need to stop and get a ticket from the Naudhara Samudayik Ban Upabhokta Samuha, worth NPR 10 for every vehicle.
Continue until you come across the ‘Marble Dada’ diversion board. It’s on the right side, and you’ll continue on the narrow path that takes you inside the Godawari Forest.
The road condition is completely off-road past this diversion board. While the winter season makes the ride smooth enough, the monsoon can make the trail very muddy. Still, it’s possible to reach the top!
Hike to Marble Dada From Godawari
Marble Dada indeed serves as a great hiking spot in the Godawari region. It’s a short hike, and anyone can reach the top within an hour from the bus park.
The trail goes through the Godawari Forest and follows the same route used by vehicles.
To start the hike, you can catch any public bus or use a ride-sharing app to first get to the Godawari Botanical Garden. From there, the hike begins. You don’t have to pay any fee either.
Ride and Hike Combo [Our Approach]
We particularly visited Marble Dada during the monsoon season. A quick escape from work and studies was exactly what we needed!
Since the trail was so muddy and my motorcycle was recently serviced, we only went up to the point where the road was good enough.
As soon as the first muddy section appeared, we opted for hiking, which was barely a 15-minute walk from where we started. So, the idea is to do just what we did!
But again, it’s totally up to you. If you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to visit during the monsoon season too. You can definitely reach the top!
Things to Do in Marble Dada
Honestly, there wasn’t much to do in Marble Dada. It’s just a place to relax, enjoy the far-reaching views of Lalitpur and Kathmandu, or simply stay there and feel the nature.
Here are some possible things you should try when in Marble Dada:
Organize a Dry Picnic
The hill has a big ground and multiple spots you can choose from. Simply pick a greener area, lay down a picnic cloth, and enjoy dry snacks while gossiping with your travel buddies.
Even if you’re not planning to bring snacks, there are local vendors here. They sell tea and can prepare local Nepali foods like chowchow, chowmein, pani puri, and more.
Simply Enjoy the Vibe Here!
Well, this is what we did. We hadn’t planned a picnic but wanted to just see the place.
As the name suggests, most parts are covered in marbles. The most fascinating thing I personally found was the fluttering prayer flags at the top.
This is definitely not the best place in the world, but for those seeking a quick escape, it’s totally worth it.
Even the views aren’t the best. But there’s a rock (just like Dhulikhel’s Selfie Stone), perhaps we can call it the Godawari Selfie Stone? There’s no official name yet, so I just named it randomly!
Go Beyond Marble Danda
There’s actually more than just the Marble Dada Viewpoint that we’re heading to. If you have enough time and want to explore further, you can opt for the following routes (source):
- Marble Dada Iron Tower (1,841 m): 2.5 km from Marble Dada
- Big Stone Viewpoint (2,005 m): 3.5 km from the Iron Tower
- Lele and Phulchoki Separation Point (2,024 m): 4 km from the Big Stone Viewpoint
- Lele and Tapeswor Separation Point: 5 km from the previous point
If you’d like to head to Phulchowki directly from Marble Dada, it can take an entire day, and you might need to spend the night along the way.
From the Lele and Phulchoki Separation Point, you have to continue to Deurali (1,930 m) and then proceed toward the Phulchowki road.
Final Words
We personally combined Dhapakhel’s Nagdaha with our visit to Marble Dada. Since we were focused on our Saturday series, we had only planned short visits. That’s the reason we couldn’t explore more of the hidden gems around the area.
Surely, I’ll be back in the Godawari region to discover more spots and bring them to you here on Travel Nepal Today. So, stay tuned and…
Happy travelling to Lalitpur!
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