Far from being  just single peak Mount Kenya is in fact a massif consisting of a multitude of imposing spires, cliffs, complex ridges and peaks. These are the weathered remnants of a large extinct volcano that was active several million years ago. Mount Kenya straddles the equator but is sufficiently high to receive significant snowfall and to be circled with several glaciers.

The main summits are the twins Batian (5,199 m)  and Nelion (5,188 m)  Both with jagged snow-capped peaks are all that remain of a gigantic volcanic lava plug that once thrust another 300 meters into the sky.  The two can only be reached by means of technical climbing via a variety of rock or ice routes. The third highest peak, point Lenana is a popular destination for trekking parties.   There are some of the other subsidiary peaks that also offer good rock climbing routes.

Climbing Mount Kenya takes you through varied ecosystems and awe-inspiring scenery within the 588 square-kilometre National Park, surrounded by 2000 square kilometres of Forest Reserve.  The 2000-square-kilometre Mount Kenya Forest Reserve, meanwhile, is the largest forest reserve and water-catchment area in Kenya.  

Mount Kenya offers a wealth of excellent and diverse climbing possibilities on rock, snow and ice.   The rock on Mount Kenya can be of variable quality but is at it's best high on the mountain where the syenite rock is similar to granite - rough, hard and well endowed with features.

Apart from the superb climbing potential on Mount Kenya, its tarns and alpine meadows; exotic, equatorial, high-altitude vegetation; sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make the walk around the peaks one of the most beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains.

Routes:

The Naro Moru route is the fastest and therefore also the most popular route onto the mountain, being used by many of the tour and outfitting companies guiding clients up to Point Lenana.  It is not particularly scenic and the rapid ascent profile makes it unsuitable for climbers wishing to acclimatise more gradually and sensibly.

The Naro Moru route also features the legendary "Vertical Bog", a steep quagmire of wet moorland that is extremely taxing and unpleasant after rains.  The final climb up to the Austrian Hut tackles a long, loose and uncompromising scree slope up the side of the Teleki Valley.  Descending via the Naro Moru route is fine though.

The Chogoria route is the most scenic and interesting of the three main routes on the mountain.  The route passes the enchanting Hall Tarns and looks down sheer cliffs into the spectacular Gorges  & Valley

The Sirimon route is the least used of the three main routes, but features the most gradual ascent profile and best acclimatisation options.  The route passes through impressive Yellowwood forests in the lower reaches and features abundant wildlife and beautiful alpine scenery higher up.  There are several other trekking routes on the mountain (such as the Timau, Meru or Burguret Routes) but for various reasons these are not frequently done.

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