4-Day Mount Kenya Climb - Naro Moru Route

After an early pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, the drive north passes Mount Kenya's western foothills to the town of Naro Moru. At the National Park gate, your guide completes registration before the trek begins through dense montane forest and bamboo, climbing steadily to Met Station, the first overnight camp at the upper edge of the forest zone.

Distance: Approximately 3 hours driving from Nairobi, then 3 to 4 hours walking, 10 km

Activity: Drive to Naro Moru, afternoon trek through forest and bamboo to Met Station

Accommodation: Met Station (camping or basic bandas, 3,050m)

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

The trail leaves the forest behind for open alpine moorland, climbing through the infamous Vertical Bog, a steep, often muddy ascent through tussock grassland that is the most physically demanding section of the route. Beyond the bog, the path opens onto Picnic Rocks with sweeping views over the Teleki Valley, before descending gently to Mackinder’s Camp at the foot of the main peaks.

Distance: 6 to 7 hours walking, 11 km

Activity: Trek through alpine moorland and the Vertical Bog to Mackinder’s Camp

Accommodation: Mackinder’s Camp (camping or basic bandas, 4,200m)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A pre-dawn departure, typically around 2 to 3am, leads up scree and rock past the Austrian Hut to Point Lenana (4,985m) for sunrise, with views across to the technical peaks of Batian and Nelion and, on clear mornings, as far as Mount Kilimanjaro. After celebrating at the summit, the long descent retraces the route back through Mackinder’s Camp and down the Vertical Bog to Met Station.

Distance: Summit push approximately 4 to 5 hours, full descent day approximately 8 to 9 hours, 21 km total

Activity: Pre-dawn summit of Point Lenana, full-day descent to Met Station

Accommodation: Met Station (camping or basic bandas, 3,050m)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A final descent through bamboo and montane forest brings you to the Naro Moru Gate, where your vehicle is waiting. The drive returns to Nairobi, arriving by mid to late afternoon.

Distance: 2 to 3 hours walking, 9 km, then approximately 3 hours driving back to Nairobi

Activity: Final descent to the gate, then drive back to Nairobi

Accommodation: N/A, end of climb

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Extend your trip

Prefer a more gradual ascent? See our 5-Day Sirimon Route Mount Kenya Climb. Want to add a Kenya safari before or after your climb? Ask us about combining this trek with the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.