The Menacing Big Kid that is Rurimeria
The word Rurimeria sounds like a stern teacher of the sciences who makes students recite multiplication tables with their sweaters off. It sounds like a harsh step mother who hides food in her bedroom and only rewards her own biological children. The Rurimeria hill might be as tough but not quite as cruel. The great thing about hiking trails in Kenya is that even though they might strip you to your bare bones, they always reward you in the end. The experience is always a memorable weekend hiking trip.
Key Attractions
- Rurimeria hill sits proudly in the Aberdare ranges. It is one of the bigger kids with a high altitude of 3860m above sea level. It is the third highest and has been named the toughest of them all.
- The trek up the hill is loud and ostentatious. Your field of vision will be filled with everything from vibrant bursts of color from the vegetation to striking views of the landscapes. As if the trek is not dramatic enough, you have to contend with tripping over rocks are you get through the rocky part of the path.
- Once you are at the top, your eyes will sweep through an expanse of land. You might be able to find Mt Kenya, Mt Satima and the Kinangop hill somewhere in the horizon. As you sit up there munching on your snacks as the cool air attempts to break through your clothing, you will be glad you came.
Rurimeria combines a beautiful expansive moorland with a dramatic hiking experience, taking you past three false summits before getting to the actual summit — at 3,860m ASL. Despite being the third highest peak on the Aberdares, its trail is the longest, most exhausting in the Aberdare ranges. And that’s what makes conquering it so rewarding!
Challenge Level
Challenge LevelThe Rurimeria hill is a challenging hiking trail. It might not kill you but it is with fervent hope that it will make you stronger to summit other equally challenging hiking trails in Kenya. Getting to the top of Rurimeria Hill, tough as it is, is an achievement that deserves a place of honor on the mantle.
Logistics
The central meeting point is on the benches near Bata Hilton Nairobi CBD. From there, we head out to take public transport to Ndunyu Njeru. The journey to the starting point is about three hours long.
The trail is also self-drive friendly in case you don’t want to take public transport.
What do you need for the trail?
Upper body:
- Head: Fleece Marvin/ hat
- Hiking buff/ scarf
- Sports bra
- Thermal T-shirt (polyester)
- Fleece jacket
- Down jacket
- Shell jacket
- Raincoat/poncho
- Water-resistant Gloves
Lower body:
- Thermal sleeves
- Hiking pants/Summit pants with fleece/Waterproof pants.
- Cotton socks (+ an extra pair or two in your backpack)
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Gaiters
Backpack:
- 3Ltrs water (bring a reusable bottle or a hydration pack)
- Snacks: fruit salad, energy drink, warm beverage, biscuits, sandwich, trail mix (nuts), etc.
- Personal items (ID, pocket money, hand sanitizer, facemask, phone, and camera, Lighter, Pocket Knife, and First-aid Kit)
- Trekking pole
- Headlamp
- Change of clothes and shoes in case you get wet or muddy.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, sun protection
Here’s a list of resources for hiking gear you can check out.
Hiking Gear Vendors – Lets Drift
Can you bring your kids with you?
No. Any child under 12 should not go on this hike. Even the older ones should be invited with caution. It’s a challenging hike where you test your will and physical fitness.
Now that you know about Rurimeria, we hope to see you on the trails!
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