10 Best Hiking Trails in Kenya : Kenya is a famous destination for hiking safaris and to support this thrilling experience, Kenya has many hiking trails ranging from arduous mountain hikes to walks in the parks’ natural trails.
Among the hiking the trails in Kenya, this article lists and details the 10 best hiking trails in Kenya. These trails are found within Nairobi the capital of Kenya and in other areas of Kenya and they include the following
Within Nairobi
Ngong Hills
Ngong Hills has one of the scenic hiking trails in Kenya and within Nairobi, Ngong Hill are located in a short distance from Nairobi the capital of Kenya and is easily accessed by car. The hiking route in Ngong Hills start from the Northern side of the hills at 1,961 meters (6,400ft) above the sea level, the initial part of the Ngong hiking trail cuts through a village, then past a wind farm and finally leading to the radio repeater stations.
From the station, you will climb and go down the undulating series of hills. This hiking trail ends at the southern part of the Ngong hill known as Kona Baridi.
Hiking on this trail takes approximately 4-5 hours of hiking to completion depending on your fitness level.
Karura Forest
Karura Forest is an urban forest found in Nairobi the capital of Nairobi, the forest is an area of 1063 hectares and is one of the 3 main gazetted forest in Nairobi and it was gazetted in 1932. Karura Forest is located north of central Nairobi and is bordered by suburbs of Muthiagi, Gigiri, Runda, Ridgeways, Mathare North, Peponi and New Muthiagi.
Karura Forest is one of the ideal hiking destination in Nairobi with one of the best hiking trails for families, the forest is a nature lover’s haven with marshland, abundance of bird species, Mau Mau caves, waterfall, bamboo forest and an old church. The forest has numerous hiking trails covering a distance of 50 kilometers, this trail leads to caves and a magnificent waterfalls. The initial 2 kilometers of this trails are a steady walk on a dirt track, when the trail turns right at a marked point it drops down a steep hill all the way to the river. From there, the trail steadies again until you get to the caves. These caves are called the Mau-Mau caves, they get this name from being a hideout for Mau Mau fighters during the Mau- Mau rebellion, a struggle for independence against the British Colonial Rule.
Nairobi Arboretum
The Nairobi Arboretum is a green garden of 30 hectares comprising of a collection of plants, this site is located in Kimathi area adjacent to the State Hose and it was established by the government of Kenya in 1901 as a ground for planting fast-growing exotic trees to be used for construction of the Mombasa-Kampala railway. During the constructed of this railway line, they used to cut indigenous trees along the railway which was not sustainable as they take long to mature thus 10 Best Hiking Trails in Kenya.
Today, the Arboretum protects over 350 species of both exotic and indigenous trees which are used for research, scientific, conservation, display and education purposes. Hiking in this haven is done on several hiking trails which are paved footpaths.
Nairobi Safari Walk, Nairobi National Park
The Nairobi Safari Walk is a breathtaking trail to do hiking in Kenya, this trail is located and set inside Nairobi national park located in a short drive from the center of Nairobi center but within Nairobi city. The park covers an area of 117 square kilometers comprising of wide open grass plains and a backdrop of Nairobi city’s sky scrapers, the park hosts a variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse birdlife recorded to be over 400 species.
The Nairobi Wildlife Kenya Safari Walk takes approximately 2 hours to completion, this nature trail is a winding boardwalk covering three major habitats of the park. The first stretch of the trail is a wetland area where crocodiles can be sighted, the second is a savanna grassland where you can spot various wildlife such as an albino zebra, leopards and the rare bongo among others. The third stretch is a woodland area exhibiting indigenous plants labeled with their traditional uses.
Outside Nairobi
Mt. Longonot
Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located South East of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, this volcano last erupted in the 1800s and currently classified as a dormant volcano. Mount Longonot is among the best hiking trails in Kenya perfect for a one day trip, the hiking trail on this volcano starts close to the main gate and ascends gradually past the forested area. From the forested area the climb all the way to the top at 2,276 meters above the sea level. The hiking journey up and down takes approximately 4 hours and going around the crater at the summit of the volcano takes an additional 2 hours.
Hell’s Gate national park
Hell’s Gate national park is one of the most scenic destinations and one of the best hiking landscapes in Kenya, the park lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya and North West of Nairobi. Hell’s Gate national park gets its name from a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley.
Hell’s Gate national park has one of the best hiking landscapes in Kenya, the exterior of the park is formed by the imposing Rift Valley Cliff face which attracts a seasoned and novice rock climbers. One of the best hiking trails in the park is formed in the Ol Njorowa Gorge, this trail meanders a distance of 25 kilometers. The stretch is filled with hot water springs that supply water to the small stream at the floor of the gorge, hiking in this trail takes about 3-6 hours of trekking depending on the fitness level of the hiker thus 10 Best Hiking Trails in Kenya.
During the hiking, you will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the park and several wildlife species such as giraffes.
Chyulu Hills
Chyulu Hills also referred to as The Green Hills of Africa are verdant rolling hills of green, great blue skies and spectacular views, the hills are tucked away between Tsavo West national park and Amboseli national Park.
Chyulu Hills are underrated and unexplored hills covering a distance of 150 kilometers with the highest points standing at 7,200 ft above the sea level, these remarkable hills have one of the longest lava tubes in the world.
Hiking Chyulu Hills covers a distance of 15 kilometers taking about 3-4 hours to reach the mouth of the caves, the trail passes through the rugged terrain filled with wildlife and beautiful fauna most especially in the rainy season worth to encounter.
35 kilometers from Chyulu Hill National park headquarter, there is the Satellite hiking trail. The trail was used as a training base by the US Army, the peak stands at the 6,200 meters above the sea level. There are no trails, hikers have to follow wildlife tracks through the gentle hill. During the hiking you are advised to go with a park ranger.
Mt. Kenya – Naro Moru Hike
Mount Kenya – Naro Moru Hike is a one day trek on Mountain Kenya ideal for hikers who do not have 5 days to conquer this mountain, Noru Moru Hike is a 6-8 hours hike leading to Met Station at the altitude of 3,050 meter. Hiking on this trail starts at Naro Moru gate of Mount Kenya national park, through the forest and the bamboo zone. The steep climb on this trail begins at Percival’s Bridge which s approximately 3 hours into the hiking experience, on this stretch beware of elephants, cape buffaloes and colobus monkeys among others.
Some hikers choose to hike up to the alpine zone which is an additional of 1 hour but very rewarding as it offers views of the rewarding panorama. This Zone is covered with distinct vegetation like Senecio, giant heather, lobelia and tussock grass.
Menengai Crater
Menengai Crater is an intriguing destination for hiking in Kenya, the crater is believed to be the second largest caldera in the world and the largest caldera in Kenya. The caldera is 90 square kilometers and 2500 meters above the sea level, the crater is located 8 kilometers from Nakuru Town.
From the top of the crater, you get awe-inspiring view, you can also see Lake Nakuru simmering in the horizon. From the view point there is a hiking trail down to the caldera’s floor, the highest point of the caldera wall is 500 meters above the floor.
Mt. Elgon
Mount Elgon is a beautiful dominant volcano lieing on the border of Kenya and Uganda, the volcano has a caldera with beautiful features such as hot spring lakes and 2 gorges (Suam and Simu). However, most of these striking features are found on the Ugandan side.
The hiking trail on Mount Elgon is rocky with a steady rise starting from the Rongai gate in Mount Elgon national park, this hike is done with the guide of a park ranger. During the hike, you will go past the famous Kitum Caves where elephants mine salt deep inside the caves. You will also spot the elusive genet cat found around this area, proceed to Road Head – the base of the highest peak of Mount Elgon then onwards to Koitoboss Peak at 13,700 ft which is the highest point of Mount Elgon on the Kenyan side thus 10 Best Hiking Trails in Kenya.
Hiking Mount Elgon (ascending and descending) takes approximately 6-8 hours or longer if you are camping on the volcano overnight.
Regardless of the destination you choose to do hiking in Kenya, you will be rewarded with stunning scenery which is worth encountering.
