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Best trails in Kilimanjaro National Park

Best trails in Kilimanjaro National Park

4.9(1,623 reviews)

·

Tanzania
: 
#1 of 2 national parks

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Want to find the best trails in Kilimanjaro National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 16 great trails for hiking, backpacking, and camping and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 620 to 30,114 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Kilimanjaro National Park.

Top trails

1
#1 - Mount Kilimanjaro: Machame Route
4.9(502)
•Hard
•35.2 mi
This is the route to climb Kilimanjaro via Machame route. Seven day trip, camping on the mountain six nights.
2
#2 - Mount Kilimanjaro: Lemosho Traverse
4.9(437)
•Hard
•33.0 mi
Some 70-80% of the 35,000 treks up Kilimanjaro make the summit, mostly those who take the longer, slower routes. This specific trek begins on the lower slopes in tropical rainforests, passes through moorlands and scrub to reach an arctic desert at the summit. Kilimanjaro is 99% hiking with the balance being scrambling up or down rock, so no special skills required. It is remarkable to realize how thin the layer of the atmosphere that supports life is. The mountain top that is clearly visible...
3
#3 - Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route
4.8(120)
•Hard
•35.8 mi
•Est. Multi-day
If you have the time and the cost does not deter you then the full Northern Circuit route is a fantastic route and certainly one of the most enjoyable ways to climb Kilimanjaro. You circle most of the mountain at nearly 4000 metres, allowing unequalled 360 degree views of this majestic and highly diverse region. It is the longest route by which to climb the mountain, and provides unequalled acclimatisation opportunities. This also makes it one of the safest and most successful routes. From...
4
#4 - Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route: Machame Gate to Machame Hut
4.8(109)
•Hard
•6.4 mi
•Est. 3h 56m
5
#5 - Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak via Marangu Route
4.8(56)
•Hard
•6.2 mi
•Est. 5h 52m
Summit assent, whole way up the face is via switch back trails and peaked at Gillmans Point then traverse to Stella Point (other assent point) then continued to Uhura Peak.
6
#6 - Marunga Gate: Kilimanjaro Day Hike
4.8(66)
•Hard
•11.1 mi
•Est. 6h 25m
7
#7 - Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route: Marangu Gate to Horombo
4.8(62)
•Hard
•12.3 mi
•Est. 6h 54m
8
#8 - Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route: Horombo to Kibo Hut
4.8(52)
•Hard
•5.7 mi
•Est. 3h 20m
9
#9 - Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
4.8(40)
•Hard
•28.8 mi
The Umbwe route is the least travelled, shortest and steepest trail. Not all outfitters offer this trek. In the first two days, you will gain over 4,000' of elevation up to 13,000 at Barranco. From there, your options are 13,200 at Karanga camp, or if your guide deems safe, skip it and go direct to Barafu camp at 15,000'. Your final summit bid will most likely be very early in the morning, when you battle the effects of altitude, lack of appetite, and a strenuous 4,000' climb to the summit...
10
Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route-0
Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route-0
Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route-0
#10 - Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route
4.9(44)
•Hard
•55.3 mi
•Est. Multi-day
Showing results 1–10 of 16
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Trail reviews for Kilimanjaro National Park

2,487 trailgoers Busiest in September
Akash Venugopal
Jun 8, 2025•Hiking
Great views

Day 1 - Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame gate to Machame camp. Passed through the rainforest and path was little bit rocky and steep.

Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Kilimanjaro: Machame Route
Chris Liebenberg
Mar 9, 2025•Hiking
Great views

We opted for the eight day Lemosho route. Our summit was started from Kosovo camp, which is key. Ultimately the route was infinitely more scenic than we were expecting. I own a travel company and have been selling Kilimanjaro climbs for over a decade. It was about time I did it myself. The adventure was much better than even I expected. When done right with the best crews, the experience is nothing shy of spectacular. Make no mistake. This is a very hard climb. You have to be in good shape and prepare appropriately. It seems many people underestimate how hard this will be and this is what brings the success rate down. This is not a walk in the park. Conditions can be challenging with rain, hail, blizzards, and snow on the summit. If you’re looking for a real adventure, this is it. Conditions on the Summer can vary and one needs to be prepared for an unfortunate amount of litter on the trail. This is a common occurrence on remote, high altitude, climbs all over the world. While unfortunate it is a reality to expect.

Mount Kilimanjaro: Lemosho Traverse
Jenny Martella
Jan 23, 2025•Hiking

This hike helped my confidence with altitude- and ability to make final summit. This is because of the climb today to over 15,000 feet - highest I have ever been. Very windy and cold - lots of weather changes including hail. Hot lunch at top made it!! Ultimate Kilimanjaro ROCKS

Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route
Pauline Pace
Jan 21, 2025
Not crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

I must admit I trained hard for this expedition as I read about the summit night being so challenging! I trekked all the way without the need of using my trekking poles although I carried them just in case….I DID NOT USE DIAMOX, the porters/guides insisted not to take if I do not need them. Only three from our group took it since they were struggling with AMS. Please listen to your guides, they are the EXPERTS!! August 6th, 2024 As expected Summit Night yes was challenging but I AM SO GLAD I MANAGED TO SUMMIT without any issues! It was an Epic adventure and Yes it is truly a life changing experience! would suggest Lemosho route to anyone who wish to fulfil his dream and conquer KILIMANJARO, THE ROOF OF AFRICA! GOOD LUCK and my honest advice is please enjoy every MOMENT, every step of the way. I promised myself I’m going to do it and I am so grateful I did. Every end of each day I said oh what a magnificent day this has been!

Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route
CHAYA CHANDU
Aug 26, 2024•Road biking

Day 1 Kilimanjaro VPA girls

Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route: Machame Gate to Machame Hut
Jeff Malehorn
Aug 10, 2024•Hiking

Kilimanjaro - Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut via the Marangu Route (Day 1)

This text has been translated.
Marunga Gate: Kilimanjaro Day Hike
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Kilimanjaro National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Kilimanjaro National Park is Mount Kilimanjaro: Machame Route, which has a 4.9 star rating from 502 reviews. This trail is 35.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 16,886 ft.

What is the longest trail in Kilimanjaro National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Kilimanjaro National Park is Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route. This trail is estimated to be 55.3 mi long.

How many trails are in Kilimanjaro National Park?

There are 16 trails in Kilimanjaro National Park. These trails have an average 4.9-star rating from 1,623 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Kilimanjaro National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Kilimanjaro National Park has you covered. Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route boasts the most elevation gain with 30,114 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Mount Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route, which will get you 18,087 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Kilimanjaro National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 13 camping trails in Kilimanjaro National Park and the most popular is Mount Kilimanjaro: Machame Route with an average 4.9 star rating from 502 community reviews.

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