There are developed trails in Mount Elgon National Park that you can follow on a guided hike within the park. Most tourists who visit Uganda for Mountain or Volcano climbing find Mount Elgon an exhilarating option compared to the more arduous hikes/climbs within other Mountains of East Africa. Mount Elgon National Park is derived from Mount Elgon, an inactive/extinct Volcano situated on the Uganda-Kenya border standing at 4,321 meters/14,177 feet above sea level making it the 17th highest in Africa. The highest point of this Mountain is Wagagai Peak. Mount Elgon is easier to reach/access throughout the year, is less congested by tourists and boasts of numerous attractions and tranquil climate, and it has lower elevations compared to Mount Rwenzori. Climbing the Peaks of Mount Elgon require no specialized skills/experience and equipments. Tourists who visit this Mountain specifically for Mountain climbing will find the following trails interesting and worthwhile.
The Sipi Trail
The Sipi Trail is conducted on a 56 kilometer round trip taking four to six days. This interesting trail begins at 2050 meters/6726 feet above sea level at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center and is considered the longest trail to the Peaks of Mount Elgon but very rewarding. It passes via the North-western mountainside through Tutum Cave to enter the Caldera, and then reach the Wagagai Peak. On the first two days, the trail is always gentler but becomes tougher from the third day onwards especially from Kajeri Camp.
The Sasa Trail/Buddukiro trailhead
The Sasa Trail is the shortest but considered the toughest trail/route to the Peaks of Mount Elgon. This trail crosses the local communities’ land, allowing hikers to experience and visit the Bamasaba farming settlements, and unique cultures and traditions. The entire trip (to and from the Peaks) takes four days and starts from Budadiri Town at an altitude of 1250 meters/4101 feet above sea level. The toughest part of this climb is at over 1600 meters/5249 feet above sea level and is finished on the first day, before traversing the Park’s most extensive area of Bamboo Forest and passes the Jackson’s Pool on the way to Wagagai Peak. This trail is also easily accessible from Mbale and has the most direct route of all the trails.
The Piswa Trail or the Kapkwata Trailhead.
This Trail is a 49 kilometer round trip for seven (7) days and is considered to be the longest yet most gentle Mountain climbing trail within Mount Elgon. Piswa Trail starts from the Village of Kapkwata on the Northern side of Mount Elgon and crosses the soft wood plantation to the Podocarpus forest. This Trail is outstanding for its plenty wildlife and bird species, and magnificent views of the Karamoja plains of Uganda and the Nandi and Kapeguria hills of Kenya. The Piswa Trail also transverses the breathtaking hot springs on the way to the Caldera and Peaks
Besides the three popular Elgon Mountains climbing trails, other hiking options within Mount Elgon include the Trans-boundary hike or the Cross-border tourism hike. The fact that Mount Elgon National Park (in Uganda) is shared by the adjacent National Park in Kenya, you might need to explore attractions from the two countries hence a Trans-boundary climb can be organized. It is conducted in a way that after tourists ascend to the Caldera with the Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger Guide, Hikers cross/transverse the border of Uganda to descend with a Kenyan Wildlife Service escort. This is one of the most interesting hikes because you get the opportunity to feel the experiences between the two countries.
In conclusion, mountain climbing is one of the most invigorating activities conducted within the borders of Uganda, and Mount Elgon offers one of the most exceptional experiences through one of its trails that include the Piswa trail, the Sasa trail, the Sipi trail and the most wonderful trans-boundary trail cross Uganda-Kenya borders.