The Hell’s Gate National Park (HGNP) is located in Nakuru County, Kenya. Hell’s Gate National Park is a park located between Lake Naivasha and the Longonot and Suswa volcanoes. It is covered by ashes from the Longonot eruption which occurred 100 years ago, the park is famous for its geothermal station, Lower Gorge, and spectacular sceneries of towering cliffs, scrub-clad volcanoes, water-gouged gorges, and plumes of geothermal steam. The name Hell’s Gate is derived from the most impressive feature in the Park, the Ol Jorowa Gorge, which runs through the middle of the park. The gorge formed the overflow of Lake Naivasha between lower and middle Cambrian times.
Unlike other national parks in Kenya, there are no predators here apart from the occasional leopard sighting.
Instead, the appeal comes from the beautiful scenery formed by millions of years of geothermal activity.
The park itself was established back in 1984 and named ‘Hell’s Gate’ due to powerful forces shaping the national park from below.
Dramatic volcanic rocky outcrops, obsidian caves, spitting geysers, rock towers, sandstone cliffs, and water-gouged gorges are what make this park worth visiting.
Hell’s Gate National Park is a great choice for thrill-seekers; mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking are some of the available activities.
Hell’s Gate National Park is less than two hours from Nairobi by car along the Rift Valley escarpment and works great as a standalone adventure if you have an extra day in Nairobi or can be combined with Lake Naivasha for an overnight stay.
Located in the South West of Kenya, Hell’s Gate is also not too far from Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara.
It is possible to stop here if you take the scenic route across the Rift Valley floor on your Journey to the Mara or you can fly from the Mara to Lake Naivasha.
Activities at Hell’s Gate National Park
Hiking
The unique ability to freely roam anywhere in the park on foot surrounded by zebras, giraffes, and the best of Kenya’s plains game in the pristine and unspoiled wilderness is hard to match.
There are several trails in the park to choose from, a guide is required, but as experts on the park’s landscape, history, and wildlife, they will only enhance the experience.
Good walking shoes, binoculars, long sleeves, light trousers, sunglasses, a hat and plenty of water are a must, as the park has little shade and can get very hot (try avoiding the middle of the day, when it is hottest if you can)
Carved by a prehistoric lake that once fed the Rift Valley, Hell’s Gate Gorge cuts through the park and is one of the many highlights of the walking and cycling trail
Cycling
The cycle trail is a half-day excursion and best begins early before it gets too hot.
Bicycles are rented from Elsa’s Gate (the main gate), from which it is a mostly downhill 9 km cycle to the gorge.
The ride is scenic, taking you through the park’s biggest attractions such as the volcanic plugs, lookouts, and zebra, giraffe, and buffalo grazing grounds.
Once you arrive at the gorge, you can hike down into it. Some parts of this trek are more of a scramble and involve rope climbing, and it takes about 1.5 hours in total to go through the gorge.
You will then cycle uphill back to the main gate, all in all, it takes about five hours, and a good level of fitness is recommended.
Alternatively, a shorter and slightly easier route is the 6 km round trip to the obsidian caves
Rock Climbing
Hell’s Gate National Park is a great choice for rock climbing in Kenya, as there is a variety of places to climb within the park to suit every experience level.
25 m Fischer’s Towers and the towering rock cliffs are the most popular. Prior experience is not required, especially for easier climbs, but you must go with a licensed operator.
This activity combines well with the cycle to the obsidian caves and picnic lunch.
Olkaria Spa
Located on the northern tip of Hell’s Gate National Park, the Olkaria Geothermal Spa is a series of three geothermal pools.
Beautiful azure blue waters heated by the earth’s geothermal activity, sun loungers, and restaurants make this the perfect spot to relax and recuperate after cycling or hiking in the park.
Between 30 and 40 degrees Celcius, only the third pool is cool enough to swim in.