Where to Hike on Kenya?
Where to Hike on Kenya? In Kenya, there are many easy treks. Karura Forest, Oloolua Nature Trail, and Menengai Forest are the finest. What is the most difficult trail in Kenya? Mount Kenya, Elephant Hill, Kinangop Peak, and Rurimeria Trail are Kenya’s most difficult trails.
1: Mount Longonot, Where to Hike on Kenya?
Mount Longonot has an elevation of 2,776 metres, it is located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. The name Longonot is a Maasai word which translates to steep ridges. What makes Longonot one of the popular hiking trails in Kenya is its variety of terrain from grasslands, forest to the rocky outcrops. The trails of the Longonot are well marked to the summit, there are also several resting points along the trails, it is at this stop overs that the trekkers can relax and enjoy the scenery. It takes 4 to 6 hours to complete the hike at Mount Longonot, but the time varies depending on the fitness levels and the time spend at the summit.
Another thing that makes hiking mount Longonot the best is its wide range of wildlife while hiking you will be able to see Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras and Baboons among other animals. This animals are spotted while making your way up the mountain, they may be near the walking marked trails or you can see them at the elevated points of the park. Hiking Mount Longonot is rated as moderately challenging and it is perfect and achievable to people with moderate fitness.
2: Elephant hill in Aberdare Ranges, Where to Hike on Kenya?
The Elephant Hill hiking trail is located in Aberdare National Park, 90 km from Nairobi City. This place can be accessed through the Njambini Gate ,it has beautiful sceneries with diverse vegetation zones inside the park. This trail is popular among the nature enthusiasts because of the challenge it offers, its amazing landscapes and scenery. The hike takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete depending on the pace, fitness of the hikers and the weather of the day. The trail to the Elephant Hill passes through a planted forest ,a bamboo zone and the Alpine zone near the summit. The trail to the top of the Elephant Hill and down has been rated as moderate to Difficult.
3:Mount Ololokwe, Where to Hike on Kenya?
It is located in the North-eastern part of Samburu county, 350 kilometres from Nairobi, Kenya. Mount Ololokwe is flat-topped mountain facing the Samburu plains, it is one of the popular destinations in Samburu county, it is also close to the Archer’s Post, this is the place where the British army normally trains . The hiking trail at Mount Ololokwe is 2,000 metres above sea level, what makes it amazing and unique is the fact that it is located in the arid area .On you way to the top of the mountain, you will come across rugged paths which have been created by Elephants, the biggest mammal on the planet as they search for water and food. The hike normally takes 3 hours to complete.
4:Ngong Hills
Ngong Hills is located approximately 21 km from Nairobi Central Business District, it closeness to the city makes it one of the best weekends hiking destinations. Kenya Forest service manages the hills with their wardens having their station at the main gate. Ngong Hills is best for both experienced and beginners, what makes it more enjoyable is that you walk on a hill. It is at this region that you will be able to view the Great Rift Valley escarpment on the eastern side, that is the only point where the Great Rift Valley comes close to the city.
Ngong Hills covers a distance of 11.5 km, it takes 3 to 5 hours to walk from one side to the other. During your visit here ,you are likely to see Kenyan athletes training here.
5:Kijabe Hills in Kijabe, Where to Hike on Kenya?
Kijabe hike starts just past Mai mahout at a place called Governor. The hike takes you up a gentle hill past an old railway line ,to the summit of Kijabe Hills and down past local farms. Kijabe Hills has two routes that passes through remote locations and for that reason it is recommended that you hire a guide. The hike is moderate and ideal for anyone who likes beautiful landscapes and long walks.
6:Regia Forest Trail , Where to Hike on Kenya?
This hike starts at Sasumua Dam at the China’s camp Gate ,it then proceeds into a thick bamboo forest following elephants trails down the valley, the Trail proceeds and turns left to a magnificent waterfall of the Sasumua River named number 18. From the waterfall, the hiking trail ascends sharply to the pipeline leave. It then leads to the Bamboo trail which has the second waterfall and the famous Mau Mau cave where Mau Mau generals like Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi used to hike and command his troops. After the waterfall the trail retraces back to the starting point.
7:Mount Kilimambogo , Where to Hike on Kenya?
Kilimambogo is a kikuyu word which means the mountain of Buffaloes ,it is located within Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park. It is in Machakos County just past the border of Kiambu county, Mount Kilimambogo has an altitude of 2150M. The hiking train to the summit of the Mountain has both paved road and a footpath. The hiking trail takes approximately 18km and it passes through Lord Macmillan’s Burial site and the beautiful views of the surrounding farms. This hike is suitable for all people including children of 5 years of age and above.
8:Rurumeria Trail of Aberdares , Where to Hike on Kenya?
This is one of the most difficult places to hike and it is sometimes referred to as the Mother of All Day Hikes in Kenya. The hiking starts with an easy 4km trail before it becomes steep all through leading to three false summits to the highest point in the Aberdares, though it is not easy it is much rewarding with one of the best picturesque trails in Kenya.
To hike the Rurumeria Trail, you must have full hiking gear such as comfortable boots, warm clothes, rain gear and leg gaiters, a camera and Binoculars to capture beauty at every stop and appealing sights. This trail is rated difficult and recommended for experienced hikers only.
9:Mount Satima in Aberdares
Mount Satima also known as the Dragon’s teeth as the name suggest it is rated hard to hike. There are three available trails ,but the best trail is through the Shamata Gate. The trail follows a marram road between thick forest of indigenous trees to the Twin Rocks, this is the common starting point. The trail then passes through a narrow marshy path to the famous Dragon’s teeth, these are sharp volcanic rocks. It is here where hikers take a short rest before proceeding to the unexpected summit of Mount Satima. It is here where hikers enjoy enchanting scenery and beautiful landscapes. Hiking Mount Satima can get very cold and some parts of the trail are marshy. All hikers must wear warm clothes, raincoats, leg gaiters and comfortable Hiking boots.
10:Menengai Crater
It is located a few kilometres from Nakuru town. This is one of the most fantastic hiking trails in Kenya because of is environment and surrounding nature. It is the largest Volcano caldera in the world, it has a massive crater walls and hills that form a circular ring which is approximately 600m fro the ground, with the highest point of the crater sitting at 2288M above sea level. It takes hikers approximately 7 hours to complete the hike. The hiking trails passes through a bushes which makes the hike more interesting and from the summit of the crater, you will have a fantastic view of Flamingos at Lake Nakuru. Hiking Menengai Crater is rated moderately difficult.
11:Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon is located at Western Kenya between the border of Kenya and Uganda. It is estimated to be the oldest inactive volcano in East Africa. The main hiking attractions of Mount Elgon are the hot springs, two deep gorges called Suam and Simu and the raw nature.
There are geothermal springs caves and dense forests that will make you find the place worth visiting. It is quite cold and it experiences frequent rains and for that you should properly prepare to summit this mountain. The terrain is moderate.
