About
Exploring Trails in Kenya: My Fifteen Years of Adventure
Welcome to my corner of the internet! If you like running or hiking like I do, you are in the right place. After living in Africa for more than 15 years, I have been lucky enough to explore countless trails, footpaths and getting lost so many more time than I could count. Through hiking and trail running, I have discovered an incredible mix of landscapes – from rugged rocky slopes and slippery muddy paths to serene forests and single path trails.
Here, I want to share a little about my journey, more importantly to share my adventure with like-minded runners/hikers and share the relevant GPX files for each trail. Whether you are a serious trail runner or weekend hiker, or someone just curious about exploring places by foot, I hope to offer you insights and maybe a few invitations to join the fun.
Why Kenya? Why Trails?
When I first arrived in Western Kenya in 2006, I was just a casual road runner and maybe I was running one marathon a year. That usually took months and months of preparation. While in Kenya, I saw kids running to school and back every day, they were often running around 5-10 kms each day. Taking inspiration from those kids, I also ran to places and then started exploring various trails. At the end of 2007, I ran my first ever 78 km race, and that got me hooked on to trail and ultra-running.
Over the years, exploring various places by foot has become a deeply personal spiritual journey. Whether running in the Himalayas or hiking slowly up some difficult paths in Kenya, the rhythm of trail running/hiking clears the mind. These activities not only cultivate a sense of connection to nature – it also led me to meet some incredible people along the way.
From Solo Adventure to Shared Races
Running alone through the bush or hiking some random ridges has been amazing, but it also sparked a desire to build a community. Though I am part of Ultra Runners Kenya and have organised the Kijabe Ultra Run for four years consecutively, but I want to do more. That’s why I am thrilled to start organising occasional trail running races with ITRA points. These events are not about competition alone; they are celebrations of the spirit of adventure, respect for nature and friendship of outdoor enthusiasts. These races will also provide an opportunity for runners in Kenya to earn ITRA points to qualify for other races around the world.
What’s Next?
Over the coming months, I will be inviting other fellow minded trail runners to share their favourite trails in Kenya along with GPX files, so anyone could explore this beautiful country. I’m eager to hear from you as well—whether it’s your own experiences, questions about trail running in Africa, or ideas for the community we’re building.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Here’s to putting one foot in front of the other, chasing sunsets, and discovering the magic hidden just off the beaten path.
Until next time, keep exploring and stay curious!