Hiking Trails in Nyandarua
Rurimeria Hill: Overlooking Happy Valley
Rurimeria Hill is not as well-known as some of the more prominent destinations about Aberdare’s hiking circuit and walking trails, but it still holds value for those interested in outdoor activities. In the hiking circles, it is a sanctum of inviolable serenity and restoration, demanding youthful vigor to surmount. “Rurimueria is under Kenya Wildlife Service. Besides the entrance fee, one is required to pay for a guide. Given its beaten nature, a local is also provided. You will need someone who’s been brought up there, believe me. The mountain knows her children.”
Located at the northern end of the Aberdare Range, marked by steep valleys and isolated mounts, Rurimeria rises below Satima Peak, the highest point of the range from where it steeps gradually southerly. Beyond Elephant Hill, below Ruriremeria Hill, the range descends steeply southbound. So that the main climbing trails are Satima, Table Mountain, Rurimeria Hill and Elephant Hill, consecutively. Kipipiri, the second highest point after Mount Satima, is an isolated landmark prominently apart from the main Aberdare Ranges which it is separated by the Wanjohi Valley, rises to the east. Rising to 3,680 ms asl, Rurimeria Hill is the third highest summit.
The starting point for hiking Rurimeria Hill is at Geta Forest Station Ndunyu Njeru; distance from Nairobi 161 km via A104 Nairobi-Nakuru Road and C77 Njabini-Kinagop Road. Accompanied by a park ranger, or two depending on the hiking party for a negotiable guide fee usually not exceeding Kes. 3,000 per ranger, up the mountain you go. At Geta Bush you cross the electric fence via a small gate, marking the official forest boundary. An early morning start will get you back to this gate marker before late afternoon in place where rain is notoriosly consistent.
Total round trip distance for Rurimeria Hill Trail is 15 km, accomplished in about 6 to 8 hours; about 5 hours ascending and 3 hours descending. It is a tremendous leg day, too, with about 28,000 steps. It is rated moderate to hard, although the latter is truer: “This is a hike to be mentally prepared for a long day. It starts steep, continues steep, then a relatively flat boggy section and finally an abrupt climb to the summit”. Proper hiking gear, shoes and kit, a good stretch at the start, plenty of water and snacks, and mental awareness for the hike challenge are all important.
The trail commences with a scenic walk across the Wanjohi Valley over a flatter section, then the steep sections commence, and the first milestone. There are three more steep ascends before the main peak, each testing the walkers and hikers limits. This hike will take you through dense forest, health and moorland vegetation with the peak almost on bare rock surface with little high altitude vegetation. The walk up is long but beautiful landscapes will surely reward you. You can opt to end the hike on the western side of the Mt which is much longer. Yet, for all the difficulties of ascending Rurimeria Hill, the views are breathtaking.
Hiking in Kenya offers a diverse range of landscapes and trails, from lush forests to arid deserts, and from high-altitude mountains to scenic coastal paths. The apex hiking trail in Kenya is Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak. There are eight hiking routes about it, the most popular of these being Sirimon and Chogoria.
Index of Hiking Trails Around Kenya
Elgeyo Marakwet - Kessup Falls, Torok Falls, Embu County - Kirimiri Forest & Nthenge Njeru Falls, Irangi Trail (Mount Kenya), Homa Bay County - Homa Hills, Mount Kwitutu, Kajiado County - Ngong Hills, Mount Olorgesailie, Mount Suswa, Nguruman-Entasopia Falls, Ol Doinyo Orok, Mount Kilimanjaro, Kakamega County - Kambiri Hill, Kiambu County - Gatamaiyu Camp, Kirinyaga County - Kamuruana Hill, Kamweti Route, Kisii County - Sameta Hill, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk, Kanzalu Range, Lukenya Hills, Kiima Kimwe, Makueni County - Nzaui Range, Mbooni Hills, The Kenze Gorges, Meru County - Kaithandu Hill, Sirimon Route, Chogoria Route, Themwe Route, Marania Route, Nairobi County - Ololua Forest Trail, Karura Forest, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot, Eburru, Table Mountain, The Sleeping Warrior, Nandi County - Ngabunat Cave, Nyandarua County - Kijabe Hills, Ragia Forest Trail, Elephant Hill, Rurimeria Hill Trail, Satima Trail Aberdare Range, The Table Mountain, Kinangop Hill, Nyeri County - Njigari Forest Trail, Samburu County - Mount Ololokwe, Mount Poi, Taita Taveta County - Vuria Hill, Trans Nzoia County - Wagagai Peak, Koitoboss Peak - Mount Elgon Park
Greatly positioned as an agrarian hub, with increased investment in infrastructure, Nyandarua County is also famous for its scenic landscapes and montane climate. Named after the Aberdare Ranges, with an extensive presence, Nyandarua grew as an agribusiness locale but is well making a name for itself as an alpine escape.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Rurimeria Hill Trail
A Guide to Nyandarua County
A Summa Digest of Nyandarua
About Nyandarua Way Back When
45 Destinations in Nyandarua County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Matches Dam, Gitwe Viewpoint, Mawingu Camp Kenya, Heni Viewpoint, Kijabe Hills, Kinangop Step, Ragia Forest Trail, Sasumua Dam, Sharpe's Longclaw Nature Reserve, Elmer Resort & Spa, Cheese House, Njabini, Elephant Hill, Aberdare Range, Kinangop Plateau, Mount Kipipiri, Mount Kipipiri Golf & Resort, Wanjohi Valley (Happy Valley), Davida Getaway, Wanjohi Falls, Kenungu Falls, Buxton House, Rurimeria Forest Trail, Mount Satima, Table Mountain, Dragon’s Teeth, Cedar Retreat (Log Cabin), Ndaragwa Falls, Ndaragwa Forest, Maverick Camp Rondavels & Farmstay, Malewa Bundu Camp, Plovers Eco Camp, Dundori Forest, Lake Ol Bolossat, Samawati Conservancy, Olrok Farm House, Laikipia Plateau, Tafaria Castle & Center for Arts, The Fairway Residence, Carnegie House (Ngobit Girls School), Knessiah Jewish Synagogue, Thompson Falls
Know More About Nyandarua County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Thanks to its high altitude, all of Nyandarua experiences pleasant to low temperatures. Highest temperatures are in the month of December that bears an average temperature of 25oC: Lowest in July, 14oC.
To the east, the Aberdare Range traverses its border with Nyeri County. End to end, the Aberdare Range, with vast presence in Nyandarua is a whooping great 565 km.