Hiking in Abuja

Originally published July 12, 2021

Remember: All views and opinions expressed here are my own personal views and do not express the official views or opinions of the U.S. government. This is not an official resource. This is just a personal perspective and not everyone may agree.

After arriving in Abuja, hiking quickly became our favorite thing to do! Abuja's roads and city are still developing, but Abuja's mountains and hiking trails offer beautiful views of nature. We arrived during dry season when the red sands consumed the landscape and the mountain peaks looked like something you would find on the moon. When climbing down sheer and rocky parts of the mountain, plumes of dust would appear when disrupting the foliage under our feet. At the time, COVID-19 was still a large risk to our community, so wearing the masks we brought with us for these descents came in handy. However, in rainy season, the landscape is completely transformed! The mountains are covered in green plants and trees and colorful flowers. Trekking through sharp bushes is sometimes required so we always recommend wearing leggings that cover your socks to protect your ankles from the brush. Hiking boots were one of my first purchases and makes climbing up and over rocks SO much easier!

Most of the time we encounter a few curious farmers or churchgoers who hold gatherings on the mountains. Sometimes we can hear them singing beautiful songs. The locals have always been friendly and sometimes offer to sell us what they are growing. Depending on the season, you can find loads of banana and mango trees and corn, cassava, palm oil, and cashew nut fields. Always avoid walking through (or damaging) these large fields!

Remember to hike in groups and in places approved by your security team.

A Hike in Early Rainy Season