Looking for a quick outdoor escape or a group adventure? Kenya is brimming with stunning trails perfect for getaways and bonding moments. From the scenic Ol Donyo Sabuk in Machakos to the dramatic cliffs of the Nguruman Escarpment, each trail offers unique experiences, breathtaking views, and rich biodiversity. Whether you're planning a day hike or a multi-day adventure, these trails promise unforgettable moments in nature.
Discover Kenya’s perfect getaway trails with this mega guide, updated all the time contains scenic trails, challenging climbs, hidden gems, and serene picnic locations across Kenya, curated by county for your next outdoor adventure.
Check it out and let us know if there's a hidden gem we missed – we'd love to add it!
Top Picks Include:
Ngong Hills (Nairobi): Breathtaking views over the Rift Valley.
Elephant Hill (Murang’a): A challenging climb with rewarding Aberdare views.
Lake Nakuru National Park (Nakuru): Iconic wildlife and serene landscapes.
Mount Kenya (Nyeri/Meru): Epic multi-day routes with stunning summit sights.
See related articles for tips and ideas on how to maximise your next adventure: Tag your adventure crew and plan your next hike, walk or climb!
County | Location/Trail | Type of Activity | Description | Difficulty |
Bomet | Kapsowar Hills | Hiking | Moderate hiking trails with scenic views. | Moderate |
Bomet | Kapsowar Town Parks | Picnic | Local parks ideal for family picnics. | Easy |
Bungoma | Kakamega Forest Extension Trails | Hiking | Extended trails through lush landscapes, offering diverse wildlife sightings. | Moderate |
Bungoma/Trans Nzoia | Mount Elgon | Hiking/Exploring | Large extinct volcano with unique flora and fauna, including caves and waterfalls along the trails. | Moderate to challenging (50 km, 4-6 days) |
Busia | Lake Victoria Shoreline Trails | Hiking | Lakeshore trails with scenic views and birdwatching, close to local fishing communities. | Easy |
Homa Bay | Ruma National Park Trails | Hiking | Trails in the park offer views of hills and wildlife, including the endangered roan antelope. | Moderate |
Kajiado | Ngong Hills | Hiking | Close to Nairobi, offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes; features grasslands, Scenic trails, perfect for family outings. and picnic spots. | Easy to moderate (30 km, 4-6 hours) |
Kajiado | Mount Olorgesailie | Hiking | Known for its archaeological significance and moderate hiking trails. | Moderate |
Kajiado | Nguruman-Entasopia Falls | Hiking/Exploring | Picturesque waterfalls with wildlife viewing opportunities along the trail. | N/A |
Kajiado | Nguruman Escarpment | Hiking | Dramatic cliffs and diverse wildlife; offers several scenic hiking routes. | N/A |
Kajiado | Ngong Hills | Hiking | Scenic trails, perfect for family outings. | Moderate |
Kajiado | Kilimambogo (Ol Donyo Sabuk) | Hiking | Moderate ascent with beautiful views and wildlife spotting. | Moderate |
Kajiado | Kajiado Hills | Picnic | Scenic spots perfect for family gatherings. | Easy |
Kakamega | Kakamega Forest | Hiking | Tropical rainforest with easy to moderate trails, rich in bird and butterfly species. | Easy to moderate |
Kiambu | Kilimambogo (Ol Donyo Sabuk) | Hiking | Scenic hike with a mix of forest and open areas, offering opportunities to see wildlife. | Moderate (12 km round trip, 4–6 hours) |
Kiambu | Kijabe Hills | Hiking | Trails with beautiful landscapes. | Moderate |
Kiambu | Eburru Forest Trail | Hiking | Less crowded trail with stunning views. | Moderate |
Kiambu | Karura Forest | Picnic | Also serves as a great picnic location amidst nature. | Easy |
Kiambu | Kilimambogo (Ol Donyo Sabuk) | Hiking | Scenic hike with forest, open areas, and wildlife. | Moderate (12 km, 4–6 hours) |
Kilifi | Watamu Marine National Park | Coastal Walks | Nature trails along beautiful beaches and coral reefs, with bird-watching opportunities. | Easy |
Kilifi | Mida Creek Boardwalk | Walking Trail | Easy walk through mangroves, scenic views of the creek, and birdwatching. | Easy |
Kisii | Abagusii Cultural Heritage Trails | Cultural Hiking | Trails featuring cultural heritage sites and scenic viewpoints. | Moderate |
Kisii | Gucha River Trails | Hiking | Trails along the river with moderate difficulty; rich in natural beauty and ecosystem exploration. | Easy to moderate |
Kisii | Sameta Hill | Hiking | Short hike accessible from Kisii town; scenic views over surrounding countryside. | Easy |
Kisumu | Kisumu Impala Sanctuary | Walking | Trails within a wildlife sanctuary, near Lake Victoria. | Easy |
Kisumu | Dunga Hill Camp | Hiking | Lakeshore trails, perfect for leisurely hikes with lake views. | Easy |
Kisumu | Dunga Hill Camp | Picnic | Scenic lakeside spot, perfect for picnics with views of Lake Victoria. | Easy |
Kwale | Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park | Coastal Walks/Snorkeling | Stunning coral reefs, vibrant marine life, and beautiful beaches for coastal exploration. | Easy to moderate |
Kwale | Shimoni Caves | Hiking/Exploring | Short hikes around historic caves with coastal scenery. | Easy |
Laikipia | Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Walking Safari | Walking safaris with various trails, combined with wildlife viewing experiences. | N/A |
Laikipia | Mount Kenya (Sirimon Route) | Hiking/Climbing | Easier route to explore the mountain's beauty, suitable for less experienced climbers. | Moderate |
Laikipia | Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Picnic | Offers picnic spots with wildlife viewing opportunities. | Easy |
Lamu | Lamu Island Trails | Walking Tours | Walking tours through narrow streets and beaches, rich in cultural heritage and historical sites. | Easy |
Lamu | Shela Beach Walks | Beach Walks | Beautiful sand dunes, tranquil waters, and picturesque sunsets. | Easy |
Machakos | Ol Donyo Sabuk | Hiking | Scenic views and biodiversity, with trails suitable for different fitness levels. | Moderate (varied distances) |
Machakos | Kanzalu Hill | Hiking | Popular hiking spot with panoramic views. | Moderately challenging |
Machakos | Lukenya Hills | Hiking/Rock Climbing | Rocky terrains and beautiful vistas, offering several trails for different skill levels. | Varies |
Machakos | Kyamwilu Hills | Hiking | Several trails with challenging hikes and easier walks, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape. | Varie |
Marsabit | Mount Marsabit | Hiking | Extinct volcano with lush forests, diverse wildlife, and unique flora and fauna. Highlights include wildlife viewing (elephants, birds). | Moderate to challenging |
Marsabit | Huri Hills | Hiking | Variety of trails with beautiful landscapes; intimate hiking experience with birdwatching opportunities. | Moderate |
Marsabit | Laisamis Hills | Hiking | Rugged terrain for hiking enthusiasts, offering a true wilderness experience with unique geological formations. | Moderate to challenging |
Meru | Kamuruana Hill | Hiking | Moderate hike through forested areas leading to panoramic views, suitable for picnics. | Moderate |
Meru | Mount Kenya (Chogoria Route) | Hiking/Climbing | Scenic but challenging trek through Chogoria; stunning views of diverse landscapes. | Challenging |
Meru | Mount Meru | Hiking | A technical hike suitable for experienced trekkers. | Challenging |
Meru | Meru National Park | Picnic | Designated picnic areas near wildlife viewing points. | Easy |
Meru/Embu | Mount Kenya | Hiking/Climbing | Kenya's highest peak with breathtaking scenery and diverse ecosystems; popular routes include Naro Moru, Sirimon, and Chogoria. | Challenging (70 km round trip, 4-7 days) |
Migori | Kanyamkago Hills Trail | Hiking | Scenic trail with opportunities to engage with local communities and view beautiful landscapes. | Moderate |
Mombasa | Nyali Beach | Picnic | Ideal for picnics by the sea; other public beaches also available. | Easy |
Mombasa | Shimba Hills National Reserve | Hiking/Trekking | Forest trails with wildlife sightings and scenic views. | Moderate |
Murang'a | Nthenge Njeru Falls | Hiking | Beautiful waterfalls and lush vegetation, ideal for group hikes. | Easy to moderate (5 hours) |
Nairobi | Karura Forest | Hiking/Picnic | Easy trails for all ages; ideal for picnics amidst nature. | Easy |
Nairobi | Oloolua Nature Trail | Hiking | Features a waterfall and picnic site. | Easy |
Nairobi | Ngong Hills | Hiking | Offers breathtaking views and moderate hiking close to Nairobi. | Moderate |
Nairobi | Uhuru Park | Picnic | Spacious lawns in the city center, ideal for family gatherings. | Easy |
Nakuru | Mount Longonot | Hiking | Extinct volcano with stunning views of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha; trail ascends through dense forest. | Moderately challenging (10 km round trip, 7 hours) |
Nakuru | Menengai Crater | Hiking/Exploring | Massive volcanic crater offering unique geological features, scenic vistas and panoramic views of Nakuru town. | Moderate (10 km round trip, 4–5 hours) |
Nakuru | Hell's Gate National Park | Hiking/Rock Climbing | Known for dramatic landscapes, cliffs, and geothermal activity, ideal for hiking and rock climbing. | Easy to moderate (24 km round trip, 7 hours) |
Nakuru | Lake Nakuru National Park | Walking Safari/Picnic | Various trails with wildlife viewing opportunities; picnic spots within the park. | Easy to moderate |
Narok | Mount Suswa | Hiking | Unique volcanic landscapes with trails suitable for different skill levels. | N/A |
Nyamira | Nyamira Hills | Hiking | Beautiful countryside views and a chance to engage with local communities. | Moderate |
Nyandarua | Mount Satima (Dragon’s Teeth) | Hiking | Located in the Aberdare Range, features stunning views and unique rock formations known as the Dragon’s Teeth. | Hard (18 km round trip, 8 hours) |
Nyandarua | Elephant Hill | Hiking | A popular training ground for climbers preparing for higher altitudes, offering views of the Aberdare Range. | Challenging (9 km round trip, 7-10 hours) |
Nyandarua | Ragia Forest | Hiking | Trekking through thick bamboo forests, leading to waterfalls and historical sites. | Moderate (16 km, 6 hours) |
Nyandarua | Mount Kinangop | Hiking | A challenging hike with stunning views, located in the Aberdare Ranges. | Challenging |
Nyandarua | Aberdare Ranges (Table Mountain) | Hiking | Offers various trails for different skill levels in scenic mountain terrain. | Varies |
Nyandarua | Aberdare National Park | Picnic | Picnic sites amidst beautiful mountain scenery. | Easy |
Samburu | Samburu National Reserve | Hiking | Designated walking trails with close wildlife encounters in a natural habitat. | Easy to moderate |
Samburu | Buffalo Springs National Reserve | Hiking | Scenic walking trails through springs and rivers with diverse wildlife. | Easy to moderate |
Siaya | Yala Swamp Trails | Hiking | Trails around Yala Swamp with a unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity; ideal for birdwatching. | Easy |
Taita Taveta | Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary | Hiking | Various hiking trails with wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes. | Moderate |
Taita Taveta | Mount Kilimanjaro (Taita) | Hiking | Challenging hikes with steep ascents and panoramic views of surrounding areas. | Challenging |
Taita-Taveta | Mount Kasigau | Hiking | Challenging trail with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. | Challenging (6-8 hours round trip) |
Turkana | Lake Turkana | Hiking/Exploring | Shores offer hiking trails with scenic views, cultural experiences, and rock formations. | Easy to moderate |
Turkana | Mount Kulal | Hiking | Challenging hike known for unique biodiversity and panoramic summit views. | Challenging |
Vihiga | Jumuia Resort Nature Trail | Hiking | Relaxing trail within Jumuia Resort. | Easy |
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