Which hike in the Simien Mountains is for you?

Which hike in the Simien Mountains is for you?

A hike in the Simien Mountains should be an essential part of any visit to Ethiopia. We summarize the best routes to help you choose the hike that's best for you

With a range of trekking options from day trips to mammoth multi-day thru-hikes, choosing a Simien Mountains trek can be a confusing process. As with most things in Ethiopia, there is a lack of information available online. With this in mind, we've rounded up the most popular trekking routes in Simien Mountains National Park to provide a solid overview of each option.

Whether you join an established trekking company or organize your hike independently, the following routes and itineraries are a great place to start. We recommend SimienEcoTours, by far the most professional operator we met in Ethiopia.

Buyit Ras – Chenek

Distance: 50-55kmDuration: 4 days / 3 nights

Suggested ItineraryDay 1: Buyit Ras - Sankaber (10 km) Day 2: Sankaber - Gich (13 km) Day 3: Gich - Chenek (15 km) via Imet Gogo (20 km) Day 4: Chenek - Bwahit (4,430 m) - Chenek (12 km)

This is the classic Simien Mountains hike and covers a fantastic cross-section of the park. After organizing the formalities in Debark, the trekkers will be dropped off by off-road vehicle eight kilometers beyond the park entrance near Buyit Ras. Soon you will see an abundance of Gelada monkeys and get an instant glimpse of the wonders to come.

The first day is a leisurely afternoon walk along the cliffs via Michibi to Sankaber Camp. Sankaber to Gich is another relatively tranquil day hike over Jinbar Waterfall and its vertiginous cliffs.

The third day to Gich over the Imet Gogo promontory at 3,926 m (12,880 ft) is far more demanding, not least because of the altitude. However, with altitude comes the most spectacular views of the Simien Mountains. The 360-degree view of Imet Gogo is nothing short of breathtaking – in the truest sense of the word.

The final day is an early morning climb to the summit of Mt Bwahit at 4,430 m (14,534 ft). It is this area that offers the best chances of seeing an Ethiopian wolf, the world's rarest canid and Africa's most endangered carnivore. Fewer than 500 remain in the wild.

alt="interesting facts about wolves in Ethiopia">Atlas & BootsFewer than 500 Ethiopian wolves remain in the wild

Fixed departures depart from Gondar twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Book through SimienEcoTours.

• Simien Mountains National Park: Trekking im Grand Canyon Afrikas

Debark - Chenek - Debark

Distance: 104-109kmDuration: 7 days / 6 nights

Suggested ItineraryDay 1: Debark - Buyit Ras (10 km) Day 2: Buyit Ras - Sankaber (10 km) Day 3: Sankaber - Gich (13 km) Day 4: Gich - Chenek (15 km) via Imet Gogo (20 km) Bwahit (4,430 m) - Chenek (12 km) Day 6: Chenek - Sankaber (24 km) Day 7: Sankaber - Debark (20 km)

alt=”Hike along the cliffs of the Simien Mountains”>Atlas & BootsOne of the breathtaking viewpoints on the way to Chenek

This Simien Mountains hike is largely the same as the one above – although it starts and ends in Debark and includes a full return journey without the use of a 4WD.

The first part of the hike passes through a populated region of the park, but the camp and community hut at Buyit Ras offers excellent views as well as plenty of interactions with the resident gelada monkeys. Book an individual hike with SimienEcoTours.

Sankaber – Adi Arkay

Distance: 81-86kmDuration: 6 days / 5 nights

Suggested ItineraryDay 1: Sankaber - Gich (13km) Day 2: Gich - Chenek (15km) via Imet Gogo (20km) Day 3: Chenek - Sona (18km) Day 4: Sona - Mekarebya (10km) Day 5: Mekarebya - Mulit (17km)Day 6: Mulit - Adi Arkay (8km)

alt="The Jinbar River in Simien Mountains National Park provided the perfect spot for lunch">Atlas & BootsPeaceful views along a valley

This hike through the Simien Mountains begins in Sankaber and bypasses the more populated parts of the trail. The hike then follows the same route to Chenek before branching north to Sona.

From here the trail follows a more cultural route through the warmer and less visited lowlands of Simien Mountains National Park. The trail passes through local Amhara villages where trekkers can expect a more social experience with local farmers and villagers.

At the lower elevations, hiking is less strenuous in the second half of the hike, but the views of the valleys are just as impressive as those of the valley floor. The trek ends in Adi Arkay, 75 km north of Debark and 175 km from Aksum. Book this hike with SimienEcoTours.

Sankaber – Sankaber over Ras Dashen

Distance: 122-127kmDuration: 7 days / 6 nights

Suggested Itinerary1. Day: Sankaber - Gich (13 km) Day 2: Gich - Imet Gogo - Gich (10 km) Day 3: Gich - Chenek (15 km) via Imet Gogo (20 km) Day 4: Chenek - Ambikwa (20 km); Climb Mt. Bwahit (4,430 m) Day 5: Ambikwa – Ambikwa (21 km); Climb to Ras Dashen (4,550 m) Day 6: Ambikwa – Chenek (19 km) Day 7: Chenek – Sankaber (24 km)

alt="Simien Mountains Trek Gich Campsite">Atlas & BootsSunset from the campsite near Gich

This hike in the Simien Mountains offers plenty of room for adjustment depending on how much time you have and how alert you're feeling. It can be started from either Debark or Buyit Ras and add additional days to the beginning or end of your trek.

This itinerary assumes you will use a 4WD vehicle and maximize time in the mountains. There's even the option to drive all the way to Gich or Chenek, but some of the park's most beautiful scenery will be missed along the way. Additionally, climbing Mt. Bwahit is optional but highly recommended.

At 4,550 m (14,927 ft), Ras Dashen is Ethiopia's highest mountain and summiteers will almost certainly want to knock it off. However, the mountains don't offer much more than Mt. Bwahit or even Imet Gogo and through a strange trick of perspective the surrounding peaks actually appear higher. Book an individual hike with SimienEcoTours.

Buyit Ras – Adi Arkay (via Ras Dashen)

Distance: 155kmDuration: 11 days / 10 nights (+ rest days)

Suggested ItineraryDay 1: Debark – Buyit Ras (10km) Day 2: Buyit Ras – Sankaber (10km) Day 3: Sankaber – Gich (13km) Day 4: Gich – Imet Gogo – Gich (10km) Day 6: Chenek – Ambikwa (20km); Climb Mt. Bwahit (4,430 m) Day 7: Ambikwa – Ambikwa (21 km); Climbing Ras Dashen (4,550 m)

alt="original World Heritage Sites Simien Mountains">Atlas & BootsThe best views don't necessarily come from the highest mountain

The great! The through hike from Debark to Adi Arkay above covers the best parts of the Simien Mountains, including the peaks of Imet Gogo, Mt Bwahit and Ras Dashen, as well as the more cultural section through the lowlands near Sona, Mekarebya and Mulit.

There would almost certainly have to be rest days built into the itinerary, particularly before (and perhaps after) the climbs of Mt Bwahit and Ras Dashen, making this the best part of a fortnight trekking experience. If you have the time, money and legs for the thru-hike above, this would be an epic Ethiopian hiking experience through one of Africa's most beautiful mountain ranges. Book an individual hike with SimienEcoTours.

Day hikes

Chenek is only a two-hour drive from Debark, so there are plenty of options for day hikes. Some of the following options are good starting points.

alt="Imet Gogo offers one of the best viewing points in Simien Mountains National Park">Atlas & BootsThe 360-degree view of Imet Gogo is perhaps the most beautiful in the park

Option 1: Sankaber - Jinbar Waterfall - Sankaber (10km) Option 2: Sankaber - Jinbar Waterfall - Gich (13km) Option 3: Gich - Imet Gogo - Gich (11km) Option 4: Gich - Imet Gogo - Chenek (20km) Option 5 : Ambaras - Imet Gogo - Ambaras (23km)

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Lonely Planet Ethiopia is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled. Independent travel is not easy in Ethiopia given the long distances. If you prefer to travel in a tour, we recommend G Adventures and their small group Ethiopia tours.

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