What are the routes up Mount Kenya? On Mount Kenya, there are eight walking routes that go to the major peaks. The routes that proceed clockwise from the north are Meru, Chogoria, Kamweti, Naro Moru, Burguret, Sirimon, and Timau. The two Chogoria that are used the most, Naro Moru and Sirimon, have staffed gates. Kenya Wildlife Service special permission is needed to utilise the other routes.
A formal UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for Mount Kenya National Park was made in 1997. The Sirimon route, a well-known and legendary ascent of Mount Kenya, originates from this park. 715 square kilometres make up the park’s area. Above the 3,000-meter contour line is the majority of the park. Covering 705 square kilometres, the forest reserve is large. This total area equals 1,420 square kilometres, which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 1949 saw the creation of Mount Kenya National Park. To safeguard the area around Mount Kenya, this park was established. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was established for the region in April 1978.
Sirimon route
Mount Kenya via the Sirimon path can be a unique experience for mountaineers, nature lovers, adventurous enthusiasts, and those who enjoy climbing mountains for fun or team building. Climbers who choose this path start their adventure at the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) gate, which is located approximately 3 km from Timau town and 9 km from the Timau-Nanyuki highway. The official entrance to the Sirimon route is the KWS gate. After following the trail from the gate for approximately three to four hours, you will reach Judimier Camp as it winds uphill through the forest and eventually turns into heathland. You will reach Old from Judimier camp.
You’ll cross the Ontulili River on your journey and enter the Moorland. Reaching Mackinders Valley, which offers a panoramic vista, will be your next point of interest. Shipton Camp is the next item on our list. Point Lenana, one of Mount Kenya’s three peaks, is now reachable from Shipton Camp. Nelion and Batian comprise further summits. These three summits are only reachable by very experienced and proficient mountaineers.
The newest and most straightforward path to ascend Mount Kenya to Point Lenana is the Emwe route in Meru County. The route is located near Chuguu, in South Imenti, Murungurune. Starting from the edge of the woodland, a little distance from the recently constructed tarmac road, is where the route begins. Reputable tour guides with years of experience leading mountain climbing enthusiasts claim that this is the easiest path up Mount Kenya.The first campsite, where campers can spend the night before climbing the mountain, is located at the edge of the forest, roughly 100 metres from the asphalt road. There is a view point at the camp from where you can see every summit of Mount Kenya, especially early in the morning when there is no mist in the sky. Theemwe campsite and lodges are five kilometres up the mountain from this first camp. The campground features piped water, restrooms, and a junction with the Chogoria and Theemwe routes. After travelling about 2 km, one reaches Lake Elis. This is a campground with brown trout fishing available in the lake. The last location that powerful four-wheel drives can reach is this one. You go from Lake Elis to a small building called Mintos Ark, and there are two small lakes named Mintos nearby. Square Turn is the location that may be reached from Mintos Ark. This is the meeting point of all the paths up Mount Kenya from all points on the peak. These routes are the Theemwe route, the Kamwiti route from Kirinyaga or Embu, the Sirimon route from Timau, the Noru-Molo route from Nanyuki side, and the Chogoria way. You can try to climb Point Lenana from Square Turn, but only experienced mountain climbers are recommended to go higher than Point Lenana.
Chogoria Route
One of the highlights of the Chogoria Route is the Gorges Valley. This route ascends to the peaks circuit from the town of Chogoria. Most people drive the 32 kilometres (20 mi) between the forest gate and the park gate, but walking is an option as well. The forest is home to a variety of species, including monkeys living in the trees, safari ant columns that straddle the track, and the possibility of spotting elephants, buffalo, and leopards. Walking and driving on this poorly maintained route demands caution. The bamboo zone begins close to the park entrance, where grasses can reach heights of 12 metres (39 feet).
Upon entering the park, the route goes through woods of rosewood, where lichens are hanging from the branches. The path separates at a point when the smaller track goes over to Lake Ellis and up the nearby Mugi Hill. Large overhanging buttress at Hall Tarns, with a view of Lake Michaelson. The Nithi creek is crossed by a tiny bridge close to the track head. (The Gates Waterfall can be reached by following the stream a few hundred metres downstream.) With views of the summits, Lake Michaelson, The Temple, and Delamere and Macmillan summits across the valley, the trail climbs a ridge above the Gorges Valley. Directly above Lake Michaelson, on the walkway, sits a 200-meter (660-foot) cliff known as Hall Tarns.
The path continues, crossing the Nithi River’s flat head before the hill gets steeper. The route divides, going southwest to Square Tarn and west to Simba Col. Both of these are located along the Peak Circuit Route.
Meru Route
This path follows the Kathita Munyi river from Katheri, south of Meru, to Lake Rotundu. It leads up onto the alpine moorland on the mountain’s slopes rather than to the peaks.
Kamweti Route
This path follows the Nyamindi West River and is the longest to reach the peaks. Even though it is restricted, people occasionally utilise it.
Naro Moru Route
Many hikers who attempt to reach Point Lenana take this route. It contains bunkhouses at each camp, so a tent is not required, and it can be ascended in just three days. Though there is a part known as the Vertical Bog, the terrain is generally nice. Beginning at Naro Moru town, the track travels up the ridge between the Northern and Southern Naro Moru Rivers, past the Park Headquarters. During the dry season, it is feasible to drive to the Meteorological Station at the head of the road. The Peak Circuit Path descends to Mackinder’s Camp in the Northern Naro Moru Valley.
Gathiuru Route
It begins in Gathiuru and mostly follows the North Burguret River before travelling up the Peak Circuit Path to Hut Tarn. It is the most direct path to reach Peak Lenana. The Gathiuru Community Forest Association is in charge of its management. The people who live there have long experienced conflict between humans and wildlife. They had to come to terms with the fact that God had given them a large mountain and wildlife, which they could use to support themselves. Together, they established the Gathiuru Community Forest Association with the goal of protecting these two invaluable natural resources while they earn a living. Tourists must go through the Mt. Kenya Royal Cottages for payment and assistance in order to access the route. This lodge, which is located across from the Nanyuki airfield, has partnered with the organisation to help promote the route to the residents in order to assist the community. The Gathiuru Route is known for its amazing beauty, wildlife, and flora.
Timau Route
This path is prohibited. It begins at Timau Village, very close to the Sirimon Route, and travels a good distance around the periphery of the forest. It used to lead to the highest driveable point on the mountain, but it hasn’t been utilised in a long time. It takes a few hours to get to Halls Tarns from the track head, and from there you can take the Chogoria Route to the Peak Circuit Path.
Peak Circuit Path
This is a route that round the main peaks, covering roughly 10 km (6 mi) and over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) of elevation gain and loss. Although it may be walked in a single day, it usually takes two or three. It can also be utilised to connect several pathways for ascent and descent. Technical climbing is not required on this route.
