What are the routes for climbing Kilimanjaro?

Over the years, many routes have appeared on the slopes of Kibo, the main volcano, for making the ascent of Kilimanjaro. In this article, we propose to describe the five main routes accessible to ordinary trekkers, then their variants for mountaineers. We devote a complete feature to the legendary Kilimanjaro.

Ascent routes

Marangu: the historic route on the south-east face, five to six days

The Marangu follows the route of the first climbers. Nicknamed the "Coca-Cola" route, its popularity is due to its comfortable lodges spread across the three stages: Marangu (2720 m), Horombo (3720 m) and Kibo (4720 m).

In five or six days — that is, four to five days of ascent and one day of descent — it is the shortest route to reach the caldera and Uhuru Peak, and the presence of lodges correspondingly reduces the logistics required for the climb. The route to favour when travelling solo.

Its major drawback lies in the considerable daily elevation gain between each camp, which increases the risk of altitude sickness. What is more, the crowds take a great deal away from the magic of the ascent. For those on a limited budget, it has the merit of existing.

Machame: the south-face classic in seven days 

In the early nineties, the overcrowding of the Marangu and the poor acclimatisation gained on this route led to the development of this fine alternative. This time, the route is completed in seven days; that is, six days of ascent and one day of descent. It starts on the south-west face to reach the Shira plateau in 2 days, a vast desert expanse that separates the former volcanic mouth of the same name (whose caldera is barely visible today).
While the acclimatisation is better than on the Marangu, the ascent remains very rapid, with significant daily elevation gains. The traverse, below the south face, offers some fine views of the remains of the tabular glaciers that, less than twenty years ago, were the pride of Kilimanjaro.

The climb up the Barranco Wall, a kind of canyon carved out by the passage of glaciers and the considerable erosion caused by water during the heavy rains of the wet season, constitutes the main difficulty of the route.

Lemosho: traverse from west to east on the south face, in eight days

A better route in terms of acclimatisation, with the ascent taking place over eight days in total, that is, seven days of ascent and one day of descent. Setting off from the distant west face, you follow the slopes of the Shira mouth, the smallest of Kibo's three cones. You pass close to Lava Tower, a characteristic rock tower. This time, no crowds, at least until joining the Machame on the third day. Good acclimatisation comes at a price: an extra day adds correspondingly to the logistics. 

Rongai: the wild north face, at the foot of Mawenzi, in seven days

Long overlooked, the north face, which overlooks the Kenyan plain, does not lack assets. Because of its distance from Moshi, the essential base camp for any ascent of Kilimanjaro, few set off on its slopes. The low footfall and the approach to Kibo's third cone, the fierce Mawenzi, are two good reasons to choose this route. It can be covered in five days, like the Marangu. To make up for the poor acclimatisation, we devote a day at the foot of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn, a magnificent viewpoint over the two volcanoes. This gives us a route of seven days in total, six days for the ascent and one for the descent. The final three hundred metres of ascent are shared with the Marangu, and the two routes lead to Gilman's Point (5685 m). From this point, a good hour and a half of effort is still needed to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m) via Stella Point (5756 m), where you meet the participants who came up by the Machame and the Lemosho.

The Great Kilimanjaro Traverse: the route of every superlative, in nine days

If one had to define the most beautiful way to climb Kilimanjaro, or the route offering the greatest chances of reaching the summit without trouble, the Great Traverse (also called the Northern Route) takes first place. Eight days of ascent and one day of descent, that is nine days in total. The only route to run alongside all three volcanoes: Shira (3962 m) to the west, Mawenzi (5149 m) to the north and finally Kibo (5895 m). The start is shared with the first three stages of the Lemosho, from which it separates on reaching the Shira plateau, on the west face. You then swing over to the wild north face, overlooked by all. A long traverse along the hillside allows excellent acclimatisation before climbing straight up the steep north face to reach Gilman's Point. If your means allow it, the best route for climbing Kilimanjaro.

Descent routes

Just as there are several routes for climbing Kilimanjaro, different alternatives present themselves for the descent. All share the characteristic of losing altitude quickly (useful for combating the onset of acute mountain sickness), and force long journeys to reach the foot of the mountain.

Marangu

The most direct, but very busy. We prefer to avoid it, even though the trail is probably the most comfortable.

Umbwe

Descending by the Umbwe, after having climbed Kilimanjaro by the Great Traverse (Northern Route), would make it possible to complete a full circuit of Kilimanjaro. From Stella Point, on the crater rim, the route follows the Machame until descending the Barranco Wall, before plunging into the forest of the south face. A little-used route on account of its length, its main interest lies in the ability to quickly bring back down a participant who has fallen ill on the Machame ascent.

Mweka

The route we favour. From the summit (Uhuru Peak) you come back to Stella Point and take the Marangu ascent path, which you follow to the last camp (Barrafu). The trail then drops straight south through the forest to reach Mweka camp and, the next day, Mweka Gate.

Routes for mountaineers

Despite its altitude, Kilimanjaro offers limited interest in terms of mountaineering. The mediocre quality of the rock, of volcanic origin, does not provide fine faces, but rather a succession of steps covered with scoria and unstable blocks.

Ascent of Mawenzi

The ascent route goes via the west face. From Horombo Hut on the Marangu, or from Mawenzi Tarn on the Rongai, you climb to the camp at Mawenzi Hut (a misleading name, as there is no building). The scree slopes give way to progress along the summit ridge amid precariously balanced blocks. The view from the summit onto nearby Kibo is, however, exceptional.

Western Breach

The only route where a few thrill-seekers still venture. The path is shared with the Lemosho or Machame as far as the Shira plateau. You climb to set up a camp at the foot of Lava Tower (a kind of imposing rock formation). From there, a poor track climbs the steep scree slopes of the south-west face to come up against a rocky bastion that presents the only stretches of proper climbing (sections of grade III and perhaps IV).