If you are looking for the best hiking places in Kenya, here is the top best list of all the hiking trails in Kenya. Naicef is the best hiking company in Kenya and we will give you the best tips on the best hikes in Kenya, fun facts, and ideal packages. Hiking in Kenya is a key target for anyone seeking to enjoy nature.
For a quick hiking package and guide to any of your chosen hiking trails in Kenya, directly contact +254799922277 or my@naicef.com
To choose the best hike for yourself, there are a few quick facts you need to be aware of. These facts should focus on trail safety, difficulty, trail attractions, and your personal desire.
Therefore, Kenya is a top ideal place to select all these trails offering the best of your choice.
Out of the many best hiking places in Kenya, you need to be guided well by a professional to help you match your interests and what the trail offers.
So, in the list of all the best hiking trails in Kenya, you need to be guided on your final choice.
So, what are your best hikes in Kenya? Below is a list of all the best hiking places in Kenya.
Top 15 Best Hiking Places in Kenya
The following trails are not in the order of their difficulty but they include all the hiking trails you would imagine and hike in Kenya.
1. Mount Kenya Hiking Trail
Mount Kenya is one of the best hiking trails in Kenya because it is the highest mountain in Kenya. This spectacular trail is in central Kenya, cutting across six counties. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Mount Kenya hiking route is approximately 188 kilometers from Nairobi. One of the interesting facts for anyone willing to hike Mount is that Mount Kenya offers three unique good routes and trails.
The trails are as follows;
a. Chogoria Mount Kenya Hiking route: it is the most scenic route of all the three hiking routes in Mount Kenya.
b. Sirimon Mount Kenya Hiking route: this is also another fair route for people who prefer intermediate hiking routes.
c. Narumoru Mount Kenya Hiking route: this is the easiest route to hike Mount Kenya
If you are willing to hike Mount Kenya, here is a comprehensive Top Best Guide to Hike Mount Kenya.
Moreover, we have an Adventure & Mount Kenya Safari Package for you.
2. Mount Longonot Hiking Trail
Mount Longonot is among the best hiking places in Kenya because of its location, fame, and the nature of the hike it offers. Mount Longonot is in Nakuru County, approximately 75 kilometers from Nairobi.
It offers the best hikes in Kenya because it is an intermediate trail and has a crater ring on top.
Moreover, it is a major tourism destination because it offers wildlife such as buffalos, Zebra, Impalas, and many more.
To enjoy more facts, and understand the routes, distance, price, and juicy stories, read the Best Guide on Mount Longonot.
Naicef is ranked as the best hiking company in Kenya particularly Mount Longonot.
3. Mount Elgon Hiking Trail
Mount Elgon is also one of the best hiking places in Kenya because of its forest, caves and ultimate hike trail.
This fantastic route is in the western region of Kenya touching north of Kisumu and west of Kitale while a large portion of the mountain in Uganda.
Did you know Mount Elgon hiking trial gives you a cave that draws all your chills at once?
Well, this is one of the best hikes in Kenya to add in your travel bucket list and practically take it head on.
If you want to the greatest fresh water lake from the top a mountain both in Kenya and Uganda, get the hiking company in Kenya to you there.
This Ultimate Top Guide to Mount Elgon will help better.
4. Ol Donyo Sabuk
The Ol Donyo Sabuk is a famous hiking route in the central and easter part of Kenya. The mountain is among the top hiking trails in Kenya because it offers an intermediate level and offers a lot of attractions.
Ol Donyo Sabuk is in a national park hosting herds of buffalos, antelopes, and a great history behind the great Mac Milliam.
Therefore you deserve to low your fear and go mingle with these animals as you hike and hear the beautiful stories of the Lord Mac Milliam.
Our Detail Ol Donyo Sabuk Guide can come handy to help your prepare. Remembers Naicef has the best tour guides and therefore ranking as the best hiking company in Kenya in Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
5. Elephant Hills Hiking Trail
The elephant hills is among the best hiking places in Kenya because of immersion in the Aberdare forest. It is in the Aberdare ranges in the central of Kenya, approximately 94 kilometers from Nairobi.
Did you know Elephant hills is one of short but challenging hiking trails in Kenya? This trail has a steep elevation from Njambini Station gate to 3,658 meters above the sea level. The hike takes an average of 8 hours to complete.
Elephant hills give you the best refreshing moments and we would love to take you there.
Are you ready for the challenge?
Best Hiking Trail by their Scale
Hiking in Kenya can be challenging if you choose a trail or a route that is difficult that your abilities. Therefore, Naicef adventure professionals are here to guide you on the best hiking trails in Kenya by their difficulty. Below a rank of the all the best hikes in Kenya from the most difficult to the least.
Top Difficult Hiking Trails in Kenya
1. Mount Kenya: this is the most challenging hiking route in Kenya and in Africa. Did you know it is shorter than Mount Kilimanjaro but more challenging that the same Mount Kilimanjaro?
2. Mount Elgon: It is the second most challenging mountain in Kenya due to its length and caves.
3. Elephant Hills: Being one of the difficult hiking trails in Kenya, it has received a 5-star rating on Google maps. The views before and after the hike are very rewarding offering memorable experiences to visitors.
4. Table Mountain: Located in the Aberdare Ranges of Kenya, it offers the best hikes in Kenya with rewarding views of Aberdare and Mount Kenya. The features include a distinctive flat-topped mountain offering views of the surrounding landscape.
5. Seven Ponds: Another hiking trail in Kenya located in Aberdare Ranges of Kenya offering scenic landscape views.
6. Mount Kipipiri: Another beautiful trail in the Aberdare ranges that has challenging climbs and requires preparation and level of fitness to make it to the top.
7. Mount Kinangop: At the south of Aberdare Range, the hike is known for steep slopes and terrain. Preparing adequately for this hike is essential.
8. Oldonyo Lesatima: One of the best hiking trails in Kenya in Chyullu Hills, also a part of the extinct volcanoes south of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trails have received a 4.7-star rating on Google maps.
9. Rurimeria: Known for its steep slopes, and a demanding hike for its rocky slopes. The hike is located in the Aberdare ranges and offers rewarding scenic views of mountains, forests and valleys.
Moderate & Intermediate Hiking Trails in Kenya
1. Mount Longonot: This hiking trails to the summit rewards with a view of the craters. There is also a perfect view of geothermal steams from other fissures along the crater’s rim. There is densely forest cover at the caldera great for wildlife habitation.
2. Kijabe Hills: This is one of the best hiking trails in Kenya. It comes with an addition activity of a waterfall chase trek. Fun fact, Kijabe Hills hike is a part of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
3. Mount Suswa: Mount Suswa is one of the most beautiful mountains in the Great Rift Valley. It comprises of obsidian caves with vast wild plants and animals.
4. Sleeping Warrior & Ugali Hills: These hiking trails in Kenya are located near lake Elementaita at the Great Rift Valley. The Ugali hills gets its name from its shape and the trails are perfect for any fitness level.
5. Aberdare Nature Trail: This offers the best hikes in Kenya to go see Queen Elizabeth Falls in the Aberdare National Park.
6. Mount Ololokwe Trail: One of the challenging hiking trails in Kenya located in Chyullu Hills ascending from the extinct volcano. From the summit, there is a rewarding glance of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
Beginner & Easy Hiking Trails in Kenya
1. Ngong Hills: Ngong Hills is composed of seven hills, which are beginner friendly to first time hikers. The hills are one of the best hiking trails in Kenya with scenic views of the divided Kenyan lands. Ngong Hills is one of the attractions in Nairobi where people go for team building and picnicking.
2. Ol Donyo Hills: The trails come in three trail categories, the challenging, moderate and shorter trails. The trails are namely, Summit trail, Buffalo trail and Macmillan trail. Wildlife encounters are popular and steep climbing and varying elevations.
3. Karura Nature & Hiking Trail: Located in the heart of Nairobi, Karura is one of the famous and best hiking places in Kenya. It is also an attraction in Nairobi because it has picnic sites and relaxing waterfalls.
4. Hells Gate Hiking Trail: Inside Hell’s Gate National Park, the dramatic landscape makes hiking a great activity. Hell’s gate hiking trail inside the park is one of the best hiking places in Kenya and relaxing. After the hike, you can opt to refresh at the Olkaria Geothermal Spa.
5. Oloolua Nature & Hiking Trail: This nature trail is located in Nairobi and is one of the best hiking places in Nairobi. This is because, there are trails and caves to add on your Ololua experience. The nature trail has a small sized waterfall that blends in with the environment’s aesthetic.
6. Nairobi Arboretum: One of the best attractions in Nairobi and a common relaxing ground for Kenyans and visitors alike. The Nairobi Arboretum is also a picnic site and great for team building.
7. Giraffe Center Nature Trail: Opposite the Giraffe Center’s gate, there is a nature trail. There is also a birding activity which makes it one of the best hiking trails in Kenya because of how intimate it is.
8. Hyrax Hills Trail: This is one of the best hikes in Kenya that offers with a blend of cultural and historic significance. The hike often includes a museum visit, and the trails take you to the important archaeological sites.
9. Kakamega Forest & Nature Trail: This trail has three trails ranging from challenging to easy. The three trails include Nature trail, Lirhanda trail and Yala River Trail. Kakamega Forest and Nature trail is one of the best hiking places in Kenya with rewarding scenic beauty.
10. Central Tower Trail: Located in Hell’s Gate National Park, it is a major landmark, popular for rock climbers. The trails involve steep sections from moderate to challenging.
11. Chyullu Hills Hiking Trails: The trails offer easy nature walks and challenging hikes for experienced trekkers. From the hills, there are scenic views of the landscapes with a glimpse of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.
12. Ragia Forest Trails: This is one of the best places for hiking in Kenya found at the Aberdare Ranges. The trails offer scenic beauty with easy to challenge hiking trails according to fitness levels.
13. Eburru Forest Trails: These trails offer the best hikes in Kenya allowing to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying beautiful scenic landscape.
14. Elementaita Trail: The hike is around Lake Elementaita in Kenya. The trails are considered the easiest and suitable for beginner hikers. The environment makes the trails to have the best hikes in Kenya with a backdrop of the Great Rift Valley.
15. Menengai Crater Trail: For daring adventurers, this is one of the best hikes in Kenya and an unforgettable hiking in Kenya. This is because, this hike involves going down the most challenging steeps inside the world’s second-largest caldera.
16. Kisames Hiking Trail: Another Aberdare nature trail that leads to scenic waterfalls making if one of the best hiking trails in Kenya.
Best Hiking Trails Near Nairobi
Some of the best hiking places in Kenya are not too far from the capital city of Kenya. These best hiking trails near Nairobi help most people within the city to take a quick weekend adventure to refresh. Moreover, they are ideal for businesspeople taking short business trips in Nairobi. Naicef is giving you is a list of the best hiking trails near Nairobi in the order of how close they are to the capital city. These trails are within a radius of 30 kilometers from the central business district of Nairobi.
Below is a list of the best hiking places near Nairobi:
- Nairobi Arboretum: The Nairobi Arboretum is 3 kilometers from the Nairobi city center.
- Ngong Road Forest & Trail: Ngong Road Forest and Nature Trail is 6 kilometers from Nairobi city center.
- Karura Forest & Nature Trail: Karura Forest and Nature Trail is 8 kilometers from Nairobi city center.
- Giraffe Center nature trail: the giraffe center is 16 kilometers from Nairobi city center.
- Oloolua Nature and Trail: Oloolua nature trail is 20 kilometers from Nairobi city center.
- Ngong Hills: Ngong Hills is 29 kilometers from Nairobi city center.
Book with Naicef for the best hiking deals. Want a stay during hiking? Consider being guided by checking out our Nairobi, Nanyuki, or Nakuru Airbnbs and Naivasha Airbnbs
For every hike/ tour you take with Naicef, you contribute to Sustainable tourism through our sustainable environmental and the local community programs. Naicef focuses on raising responsible tourists.
Contact Naicef via my@naicef.com or +254799922277
You can as well opt for our Naicef savings plan to plan your hike with Naicef, the best hiking company in Kenya.
