Table Mountain & Seven Ponds Traverse
Table Mountain & Seven Ponds Traverse
Table Mountain X Seven Ponds Traverse
Whether you are an intermediate hiker testing the waters or you are an accomplished hiker worth every letter in the title, you are welcome to join us in traversing two notoriously steep trails in the Northern Nyandarua moorlands, Table Mountain and Seven Ponds. This one is a softer, never less deserving traverse, which any intermediate or advanced hiker can confidently undertake.
We depart Nairobi at 3:30 in the morning, aiming to hit the trail by 7:15 a.m. Our hike takes us up the new Table Mountain trail to the summit in 6.5km. It then continues 3km on a fairly gentle trek through the golden Northern Nyandarua moorlands to get to the Seven Ponds point (3,831m). Finally, we descend 5.5km down a steep trail back to our starting point.
Hiking Distance: 15km
Maximum Elevation: 3,831m
Total Elevation Gain: 1,300m
Hiking time: 8-10 hours
Table Mountain X Seven Ponds Hike Itinerary
3:15 a.m Meet up at International House Parking, City Hall Way. Boarding opens.
3:30 a.m Departure for Mikeu Center.
06:45 Arrival at Mikeu
07:15 a.m Hike Starts
01:00 p.m Mandatory turn-back before Table Mountain summit and descent to avoid encounters with wild animals after dusk
06:30 p.m Departure for Nairobi
Mode of hiking: Time target-based
You shall receive targets to evaluate your progress throughout the hike. The turn-back time before Table Mountain summit is 1:00 p.m.
Charges
Ticket | By Bus | Self-Drive |
Kenyan & EAC Citizens | KES 5,200 | KES 3,100 |
Foreign Kenyan Residents | KES 5,200* | KES 3,100* |
Non-Resident Foreigners | US$ 99.00 | NA |
Mpesa Till 989985
What to Wear
- Quick-drying tshirt
- Quick-drying pants
- Fleece jacket
- Sun hat or cap
- Well-treaded hiking shoes
What to Carry
- 3L water and suitable snacks
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Trekking pole
- Identification documents
How to Prepare for the Hike
- Engage in active cardio exercises such as aerobics, walking, running, cycling, and swimming among others the week prior to the event.
- Set aside the day before the hike for resting--take a break from exercises.
- Increase your hydration at least two days to the hike.
- Purpose to get enough rest the night before the hike.Â
- If on intermittent fasting or on a diet, take a break in the period one day before and after the hike. This way, you will build up your energy reserves for the arduous task ahead.
- Cut your toe nails!
- Have a generous breakfast at least 3 hours before the start of the hike. This ensures that most of the food has been digested by the time you begin the hike, giving you the much-needed energy while ensuring your stomach is not too full for comfort.
- Use the bathroom before leaving the house to reduce the need for bathroom breaks on the commute.
- Set your mind up for conquering yourself. Hiking is more about your mindset than physical preparation. Once you win the battle in your mind, everything else contributes less than 10%. You can do it!