Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano in Kenya that rises over 5000 meters and features three main peaks called Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. The mountain is made of syenite and is surrounded by thick forest that gives way to open alpine terrain at higher elevations.

Europeans first reached the top in 1899 when a small expedition led by Halford Mackinder made it to the summit after several attempts. The area became a national park in 1949 and has since protected the mountain ecosystems.

The mountain holds sacred significance for the Kikuyu, Embu, and Ameru peoples, who construct their homes oriented toward its peaks.

The national park offers several hiking routes to the peaks, with trails starting from Chogoria, Naro Moru, and Sirimon among the most traveled. Altitude can affect visitors, so gradual acclimatization is important when planning a climb.

The glaciers on the mountain have been retreating for decades and have already lost more than half their former extent. Meltwater from these ice fields feeds important rivers that supply water to large parts of the country.

Location: Manyatta

Elevation above the sea: 5,199 m

Made from material: syenite

Part of: Great Rift Valley, Seven Second Summits

Website: https://mountkenya.org

GPS coordinates: -0.15271,37.30921

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:26