mount kenya climbing routes sirimon route

mount kenya climbing routes sirimon route

Sirimon Route:

This route provides the easiest and most scenic access to the Northern side of the central peaks, which include Batia, Nelion and Lenana. The track is 15 km from Nanyuki town heading towards Meru. This routes has a lot of advantages that makes it more favorable and comfortable.

It lies on the northwestern side of Mt. Kenya, and generally escapes some rainfall, making it drier than other routes most time of the year.
There are two permanent camps, the Old Moses at 3300 m and Shipton’s camp 4200 m (overlooking the main peaks)
From the Mackinder valley, where the Shipton camp stands, you have the panoramic view of all the main peaks including Terere and Sendeyo two ancient parasitic vents of the main peaks.
Water is plentiful and you can always refill your bottles.
You also have a chance to cross the Equator both at Nanyuki and on your way to Old Moses Camp.

Chogoria Route:

This route provides access to the peaks, from the eastern side of the mountain. The route begins from chogoria town; about 96km from Embu and 64km from Meru. It is regarded as being the most beautiful route to the mountain. Ernest Carr, who made a vehicle track to the moorland, opened it in 1920s. It is however, a much longer route, compared to the others.

Camping is possible at the road head and water is available from a stream that passes by. Mintos Hut (4,300m) is an excellently sited hut on the plateau overlooking Lake Michaelson 300m below. Spectacular views can be sighted at the Nithi George, by walking ten minutes south-east of the Mintos hut to the edge of the “Temple.” From Hall Tarn the trail continues to the Austria Hut (4,790m) via square Tarn and the Tooth Col, then round the head of the Hobley Valley. Alternatively Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) may be reached (3 hours), via Simba Col. Drop down towards lower Simba Tarn and turn left to Shipton’s Camp.

Naru Moru Route;

This route to the Teleki Valley and is the shortest way to the peaks. It is the most densely populated with hikers owing to the fact that is the shortest way up, and most obvious trail. A steep marshy section known as the Vertical bog, is reached one hour from Met Station, this section is terrible and is covered in two hours. After three to four hours from Met Station the path reaches the crest of the ridge overlooking Teleki Valley (4000m)

The path contours along the right hand side of the Teleki Valley, keeping high and then gradually descending to pass Naro Moru stream to Mackinder’s Camp (4,200m). From Met Station to Mackinder’s camp is app 5-6 hours of hiking. The Austrian hut can be reached in a further 4 hours walk and another 45 min you see point Lenana (4985m)

Burguret route;

The route starts from Mountain Rock Hotel, and goes through the forest past Gathiuru Forest Station to an indistinct road head at the end of the plantation area – 2,500m. The trail continues from here to elephant camp 2,600m. The trail cuts through tropical rainforest till it gets to the more open Hagenia –Hypericum Zone 2860m and eventually to the Heath Zone from where you can now clearly see the peaks. Further on after the castle there is a good campsite ‘kampi ya farasi’ on which we pitch up our tents for the night.

From ‘kampi ya farasi’, the trail swings left and climbs steeply out of the valley. The ridge bears right again, and a walk over rocky ground brings you round the hill. The trail then swings to the left via the Hausberg Col and Oblong Tarn to Mackinder’s valley and descends down to Shipton’s Camp (4,200m).