Silence! Let the Boots talk at William Hill Hiking Trail

Silence! Let the Boots talk at William Hill

As soon as the boots stop singing you will be enjoying the enchanting atmosphere at the top of the William Hill hiking trail right in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. 

Standing at approx. 2300m ASL William hill summit offers a good vantage point for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Great Rift Valley. The hill is part of the greater Kikuyu escarpment. 

From the floor of the rift valley for about 10km to the hike, you get to see Osotua camp and Namcha ranch. You will also get to learn about the Kedong massacre in 1895 where there was a series of attacks and counter attacks that was significant in shaping Kenya’s history. 

What is so special about this trail?

• Breathtaking views. You will get to experience the Great Rift valley with all its allure. You also get to enjoy amazing views of some features of the rift valley, such as Mt. Longonot, Kijabe Hills and Forest, Ewaso Kedong river and Mt. Margaret, as you ascend the trail.
• The rich history. From the start of the trail, you will learn about the ‘traveler’s church’  that was built by the Italian prisoners of war in 1942. You will also get to the site of the famous Kedong massacre of 1895 where over 500 people were killed.  

Challenge Level

Silence! Let the Boots talk at William Hill is a challenging hiking trail whose total distance is about 28 km and likely to take approximately 7 hours. The terrain is rocky and filled with thorny bushes. The trails are steep and may be slippery when muddy. Therefore, good hiking boots with a firm grip is definitely recommended.

Be careful at such points while ascending and descending.

Logistics

For group travel via public service vehicles, the meet-up is at the benches near Bata 

shop Hilton (opposite Kencom) Nairobi CBD. The guide will be at the meet-up point.

Getting to the starting point takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The trailhead is at Italian 

church- Maimahiu and trail end is at Limuru.

The hiking trail is NOT self-drive friendly.

The estimated fare cost is approximately KShs. 350  and a community fee of 200. 

What do you need for the trail?

• Good hiking boots
• Trekking pole
• Backpack
• Snacks such as nuts, granola bars, fruits, fresh juice,
• 3L water (bring a reusable water bottle or a hydration pack)
• Rain Gear/ waterproof jackets
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants for the thick forest vegetation and warm layered clothing for the cold seasons.

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. William Hill hiking trail is NOT child friendly. The long and steep trails may be very challenging for children.

Similar Trails

Similar to the Silence! Let the Boots talk at William Hill, you can check out are Ol-Oroka, Ole Saiyeti and Kipeto. 

Get your sweat gear on and let’s roll!