Sherpa Trails Connect Himalayas Globally

A friend once jokingly said that if Nepal's hills were ironed flat, the country would be larger than Asia, and people would not have to spend hours navigating steep ascents and descents. While flattening the hills is impossible, Nepali traditional stone stairway-building knowledge, which is illustrated by Sherpa craftsmanship, has made travel easier between the base and the summit of these rugged terrains. These stairways blend seamlessly with the natural landscape and are a testament to Nepal's unique architectural tradition and have become integral to trekking routes frequented by thousands of domestic and international hikers. The combination of Chautari, finely chiselled stone steps, and broad staircases has made Nepal's trekking trails distinctive and iconic in the Himalayan region. This traditional craftsmanship has now extended beyond Nepal's borders, reaching advanced global North Norway—a country known for its breathtaking landscapes. Nepali stone stairways have enhanced Norway's trekking infrastructure for nearly two decades, gaining widespread international recognition under Sherpatrappa in Norwegian (Sherpa trails in English).

This diffusion is not just about labour or aesthetics; it reflects profound ecological wisdom and cultural values inherited from the Sherpa community of Nepal. Nepal has hosted 'Sagarmatha Sambad 2025' to strengthen Nepal's soft power by showcasing her commitment to climate change and environmental protection, sustainable development, and peaceful coexistence with nature. The government has yet to fully recognise the soft power potential of the Sherpa community's knowledge and ecological wisdom. This article highlights the diffusion and importance of Sherpa stairs and urges the government to fully recognise and promote them as part of its global eco-cultural diplomacy.

Himalayas to Norway

Norway, a nation rich in natural beauty, is known for its numerous lakes, waterfalls, towering peaks, deep fjords, dense coniferous forests, the midnight sun, and the northern lights. However, the growing foot traffic on popular viewpoints and trekking routes has raised concerns about soil erosion, environmental degradation, and even the slipperiness of fragile rocks, which claimed several lives of trekkers. The government agencies and conservationists, including Norwegian farmer Geir Vetti, were anxious about the damage caused by haphazard hiking activities. The documentary on Mount Everest and traditional stone stairways has inspired Geir to replicate the same in Norway's hiking trails.

 In the last 20 years, hundreds of Sherpas from the Solukhumbu district of Nepal have contributed their expertise to manifest Geir Vetti's vision. Since 2005, they have built over 120 stone stairs in Norway, and more than 200 projects are underway. Interestingly, there has also been demand from beyond Norway: Sweden, the Faroe Islands, and the Middle East.

Norway's high-altitude trekking routes, which once saw only a handful of visitors, are now bustling with domestic and international tourist activities. Sherpa trails are crucial in making the countries more accessible to a broader range of visitors. Having lived in Norway for a decade, one of the authors of this article has also witnessed this transformation closely. Norwegian tourism authorities and business stakeholders have actively promoted Sherpa Trails as a key attraction. Some tour packages market the experience with slogans like "See the Midnight Sun from a Sherpa Trail" or "Experience the Northern Lights on a Sherpa Stairway." Many stairways have plaques reading "Sherpa Trail—Made by Sherpas", which have sparked curiosity and admiration among international trekkers and fostered a deeper appreciation for Nepal and the Sherpa community.

Eco-friendly infrastructure

Like in Nepal, Norway has plenty of natural stone skilfully used to construct stairways without needing big machines, extra materials, or long-distance transport. The stones used in the stairways are sourced locally, which minimises environmental impact and makes the process entirely eco-friendly. Unlike concrete stairways, which require industrial production and transportation, traditional stone stairways produce minimal carbon emissions.

In an era where nations worldwide are emphasising low-carbon technologies and sustainable infrastructure, Nepal's indigenous stone stairway construction technique has emerged as an exemplary model in Norway and beyond. These stairways preserve the environment and provide a long-lasting and aesthetically gratifying alternative to modern concrete structures.

Comparative studies suggest that stone stairways are more durable, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and resilient than concrete structures. Unlike cement-based stairways, which involve industrial processing and transportation, stone stairways do not harm the environment. Furthermore, concrete has a shorter lifespan compared to stone.

Nepal's mountain regions have historically used smoothly carved stone stairways explicitly designed for pedestrian use. These stairways, constructed using locally available stones and soil, have been integral to the country's rural and hilly landscapes for centuries. But, in recent years, urban and rural areas have started using concrete stairways and abandoning this traditional practice.

Soft power strategy

The Nepali version of the global platform Sagarmatha Sambad recently concluded by issuing 25 points of the 'Sagarmatha call for action', which has highlighted the need to 'recognise the role of local and Indigenous communities in climate policies, programmes and action, including adaptation and conservation initiatives.' The primary purpose of Sambad is to assert the Nepali perspective in global climate discourse and to enhance Nepal's soft power. The case of Sherpa stairways deeply resonates with the theme of Sambad, and it also has enormous potential to influence the perception of the Sherpa community and Nepal in environmental sustainability and resilience discourse, particularly for the Himalayan countries.

As the demand for Sherpa trails is growing worldwide, and Sherpas are engaging through informal networks, the Nepali government must realise and formalise the value of the Sherpa's ecological knowledge. The need to mainstream and promote these trials through institutionalisation is urgent for Nepal to boost its soft power potential. The global promotion and adaptation of such practice can generate immense national and community branding and economic benefits for Nepal and offer valuable insights into tackling environmental concerns in the Himalayan region.

Nepal also calls to create a multi-stakeholder international platform on mountain and climate change to amplify the voices of mountain communities through Sagarmatha Sambad. The lack of such a platform and recognition of the Sherpa community and their ecological knowledge system resulted in the Sherpa being seen merely as labour for the global market rather than an agent of sustainable practice. The Sherpa trail has evolved through generations of adaptation in rugged terrain. The government's proactive and systemic effort can only change Sherpa's narrative and influence the global sustainable discourse.

(Koirala is a PhD scholar at South Asian University, New Delhi, and Adhikari is an environmentalist.)