Nairobi is the beautiful capital city of Kenya. The title may confuse you if you do not know much about Nairobi. You may be thinking about what hiking trails are doing in the middle of the capital city, a bustling place with people going on about their daily lives, jobs, and the other busy activities that take place in a city.
The title of the article may be making more sense now. However, Nairobi is a city that offers the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the city life and live like a local, and you can enjoy the captivating beauty of nature. For example, the Nairobi National Park is fresh of breath air, offering many unique outdoor activities, combined with opportunities to see exotic wildlife. Here are five of the best hiking trails in Nairobi.
Ngong Hills
The Ngong Hills, located near Nairobi, is a beautiful place to start your first trail hike experience. The trail takes approximately six hours to complete, covering a distance of 22 kilometers. The Ngong Hills is 2,460 meters above sea level and offers exceptional views, especially of the Rift Valley, Mount Suswa volcano, and the Nairobi National Park. You can even see Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro if the skies are clear. You can easily reach Ngong Hills by road.
Karura Forest
The Karura Forest is a massive, 1,000 + hectare forest filled with unique wildlife and plant life. The hike starts and ends at the Limuru Road Gate and will take up to four hours. It is an easy trail that you can explore even with kids. The combined three trails in the forest cover 50 kilometers. The trails are marked with color codes, easy to navigate, and have directions to avoid getting lost. You may want to check out the Karura waterfalls and caves, situated six kilometers from the starting point.
Oloolua Nature Trail
The Oloolua Nature Trail is a refreshing, five-kilometer walk that will rejuvenate and reconnect you with nature. The location is only 25 kilometers away from the central city and is very accessible. The trail constitutes a dry tropical forest that spans over 250 hectares. On the trail, you will find a mesmerizing waterfall, the Rickety Bridge to the Mbagathi River, and camping and picnic sites. There is also a mystical cave that is 33 meters long.
Elephant Hill Aberdares
Although situated 100 kilometers away from Nairobi, the Elephant Hill Aberdares is the perfect day trip from Nairobi. The hiking trail is approximately 9 kilometers, situated over 2,500 meters above sea level. Once you reach the top of the trail, you will have this breathtaking view of Mount Kinangop, Mount Longonot, and Mount Suswa. The trail takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, and it is considered a moderately challenging trail.
Gatamaiyu Forest
The Gatamaiyu Forest is a lush and magical forest with an 18-foot waterfall and the captivating Gatamaiyu River. You will cover approximately 12 kilometers and take four to five hours to complete. The trail is relatively easy and very rewarding.
Hiking is a great way to reconnect yourself with nature and get away from the hectic and craziness of life. Nairobi offers many fantastic hiking trails that will leave you feeling as good as new. You will reconnect with nature and explore beautiful places. After completing your hikes, you should consider going on a safari. You can learn 5 Useful Hacks to Help Deal with the Heat on Safari in Kenya.
