Best Mount Kenya Routes: Sirimon, Chogoria, Naro Moru, Burguret and Timau Compared
Mount Kenya routes matter because the trail you choose shapes the whole experience. Some trails give you a steadier ascent and better acclimatisation. Others trade comfort for speed, solitude or big scenery. This guide keeps the focus tight: Sirimon, Chogoria, Naro Moru, Burguret and Timau, with practical differences that help you pick the right trail.
For a broader read on fees, timing and what the climb feels like overall, start with Climbing Mount Kenya: Complete Guide to Fees, Routes & What to Expect (2026). Here, we are looking at the route choice itself.
Mount Kenya trekking routes at a glance
Five routes lead trekkers to Point Lenana at 4,985 metres: Sirimon, Chogoria, Naro Moru, Burguret and Timau. Most trekkers compare the three main ascent options, which are Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru. Burguret and Timau sit on the quieter and tougher end of the range.
Mount Kenya routes finder
Pick the route by pace, scenery and difficulty
Five routes lead trekkers toward Point Lenana. Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru are the main choices. Burguret and Timau are quieter, tougher lines for trekkers who already know they want a more demanding mountain.
Easy to moderate
4 to 5 days. Best for a steadier first high-altitude trek.
Moderate
4 to 5 days. Best for Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and a big scenic descent.
Moderate to hard
4 days minimum. Best when time is tight and fitness is strong.
Hard
5 to 6 days. Best for remote trails and experienced hikers.
Advanced
5 to 7 days. Best for tougher northern approaches and true-peak logistics.
| Route | Typical duration | Difficulty | Best for | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sirimon | 4 to 5 days | Easy to moderate | First-time altitude trekkers | Gradual acclimatisation and the driest approach |
| Chogoria | 4 to 5 days | Moderate | Scenery lovers and photographers | Lake Michaelson, Gorges Valley and Nithi Falls |
| Naro Moru | 4 days minimum | Moderate to hard | Short schedules and strong fitness | Fastest route with less scenery |
| Burguret | 5 to 6 days | Hard | Experienced hikers who want a remote trail | Quiet, rugged and less developed |
| Timau | 5 to 7 days | Advanced | Climbers heading for the true peaks | A tougher and less common option on the mountain |
Sirimon route: best for first-time altitude trekkers
Sirimon is usually the easiest route to recommend for first-time Mount Kenya trekking. It approaches the mountain from the northwest and is known as the driest option. That matters on a climb where steady progress and clean camp-to-camp days often make the difference between enjoying the mountain and just enduring it.
Sirimon usually takes 4 to 5 days and sits in the easy to moderate range. It is the route Daring Escapes uses for the ascent on its 4-day Mount Kenya trekking tour, which starts at Sirimon Gate at 2,660 metres, reaches Old Moses Camp at 3,300 metres on day one and Shipton’s Camp at 4,200 metres on day two before the push to Point Lenana.
If your main concern is acclimatisation, Sirimon makes a strong case for itself. The ascent is gradual and the classic Sirimon to Chogoria traverse also lets you climb on the gentler side and descends through one of the mountain’s most scenic sections.
Chogoria route: best for scenery and the classic traverse
Chogoria is the route people remember for the landscape. It enters from the east, climbs through bamboo forest and opens into Gorges Valley. Lake Michaelson and Nithi Falls are part of the reason this route keeps coming up whenever trekkers talk about the most beautiful side of Mount Kenya.
On paper, Chogoria usually takes 4 to 5 days and is rated moderate. In practice, it often works best as part of a traverse. Daring Escapes runs the mountain both ways: Sirimon to Chogoria on the 4-day trip and Chogoria to Sirimon on the 5-day Mount Kenya climb. That longer option includes camps at Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson and Simba Tarn before the midnight summit push to Point Lenana.
One point is worth clearing up because older articles get this wrong. Reaching Point Lenana from Chogoria is not technical climbing. The final section to Point Lenana involves some scrambling over rocks and Point Lenana remains the trekking summit. If you want a deeper look at this side of the mountain, read 7 Secrets of the Mount Kenya Chogoria Trail.
Naro Moru route: shortest, steepest and better when speed matters
Naro Moru is the fastest route on Mount Kenya, which is exactly why some trekkers choose it and others avoid it. It is mainly used when speed matters more than scenery. The trade-off is clear. Naro Moru is less scenic than Sirimon or Chogoria and it sits in the moderate to hard range.
For planning purposes, treat Naro Moru as a 4-day route at minimum. It is the right fit for trekkers with strong fitness and a shorter schedule. It is not the route to choose just because you want the shortest headline. On a mountain where altitude is the real challenge, cutting time too aggressively can make the climb harder than it needs to be.
Logistically, Naro Moru Gate sits about 188 km from Nairobi along the Nyeri to Nanyuki road near Naro Moru town. Against Sirimon, the trade-off is straightforward. Naro Moru gives you a faster line on the mountain. Sirimon gives you a steadier and more forgiving ascent.
Burguret and Timau: remote routes for experienced trekkers
Burguret and Timau belong in the conversation even though far fewer trekkers use them. Burguret usually takes 5 to 6 days, is rated hard and is best for experienced hikers who want a remote trail. Timau is longer again at 5 to 7 days, is rated advanced and is better known among climbers heading for the true peaks.
These are not the standard first picks for most Mount Kenya trekking trips. They appeal to people who already know they want a quieter, tougher line on the mountain. If that is your goal, they offer a different experience from the main ascent routes. If it is not, Sirimon or a Sirimon-Chogoria traverse is usually the more practical place to start.
Quick read
Route trade-offs for Mount Kenya routes
Steady
Scenic
Steeper
Remote
Advanced
This is a planning chart, not a safety rating. Weather, fitness, pacing and acclimatisation still matter.
Which Mount Kenya routes should you choose?
Choose Sirimon if this is your first high-altitude trek and you want the most gradual approach. Choose Chogoria if scenery is the priority and you want the most memorable descent or a classic traverse. Choose Naro Moru if you are fit, short on time and comfortable sacrificing some scenery for a faster line. Choose Burguret or Timau only if you already know you want a more remote and demanding route.
For many trekkers, the sweet spot is still a traverse. The 4-day Sirimon-Chogoria trip suits strong first-time high-altitude trekkers who want a practical route with a scenic finish. The 5-day Chogoria-Sirimon option gives you more time on the mountain and more time to acclimatise, especially on the scenic side.
If you want help matching the route to your fitness, timing and trekking experience, start with the 4-day Mount Kenya trekking tour or the 5-day Mount Kenya climb. If you still need the full planning picture first, the broader Mount Kenya guide covers the bigger overview.