16/09/2026
~The Chogoria Route accesses Mount Kenya from the eastern side of the mountain, starting near Chogoria town and approaching Point Lenana along the rim of the Gorges Valley. It is widely considered the most scenic approach on the mountain due to its distinct, dramatic geography, which includes deep U-shaped glacial valleys, sheer basalt cliffs, and high-altitude alpine lakes.
Unlike the more direct routes, Chogoria passes a concentration of major geographical landmarks. The main trail skirts the edge of the Gorges Valley, a massive canyon carved by ancient glaciers. Along this valley wall sits The Temple, a vertical cliff drop that overlooks Lake Michaelson tucked into the valley floor below. Lower down on the moorland section, the route offers access to Lake Ellis, Mugi Hill, and Nithi Falls.
Logistically, the route is less developed with permanent indoor shelter compared to routes like Sirimon or Naro Moru, requiring trekkers to rely primarily on camping at designated sites like Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, or the Mintos area. Because the eastern trail rises steadily, many expeditions combine it with another route, ascending via Sirimon for smoother altitude acclimatization and descending down Chogoria.
