Top 9 Hiking Trails in Nigeria

Nigeria’s varied landscapes and extensive river networks provide abundant scenic hiking opportunities, and there are plenty of fellow hikers to join you.

Cities like Abuja and Jos host numerous hiking groups that plan trips almost every weekend. Emerging destinations such as Makurdi and Ososo are also becoming popular for hiking. Enugu, Ilorin, Ekiti, and Bauchi have active hiking communities, although their outings occur less frequently.

Hiking trails in Nigeria typically lead to hilltops, but many traverse farmland and forests, or pass by lakes and streams. Some paths lead to caves and rock shelters that served as refuge for locals during the slave raids and conflicts of the 18th and 19th centuries.

At locations like Olumo Rock, Oke Ado Awaye, and Idanre, locals have constructed hundreds of steps at the base of the hills to facilitate easier ascents.

The majority of the hikes featured here range from easy to moderate difficulty and only require basic gear like a hiking stick, sturdy boots, and water. No matter which trail you select, you can expect a challenging yet memorable adventure. Here are the top hikes in Nigeria.

1. Oke Ado Awaye

Best hike for panoramic views4 miles (6.4km) round trip, approximately 3 hours, moderate difficulty

Oke Ado Awaye is renowned for its suspended lake, Iyake, which guides claim never runs dry and maintains a constant water level year-round. During this 4-mile hike, trekkers can learn about the legends associated with the lake and other notable sites on the hill.

It's believed that drinking from the lake can enhance fertility, and wishes made at Ishage Rock are said to be fulfilled. The rock features deep indentations, wrapped in white cloth, which are thought to be the footprints of deities who once safeguarded the locals.

These significant sites act as natural rest areas along the moderate trail, providing breathtaking views of the farmland and hills. While many hikers turn back at the steep section connecting the two hills (approximately an hour in), doing so means missing the most vital landmark: the location of the former palace and the heart of a 19th-century hilltop settlement, marked only by a circle of stones.

Planning tip: Oke Ado Awaye is about a two-hour drive from the southwestern cities of Ibadan and Abeokuta. Coordinate your hike with TVP Adventures.

2. IITA Forest Trail

Best educational hike1.2 miles (2km) round trip, 15 mins-5 hours, moderate-strenuous

You can take a brisk 2 to 6 km walk through the tranquil grounds of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Oyo State, or opt for a hike in its expansive 350-hectare forest reserve. The reserve features a 12-point trail divided into three segments: a short loop for kids (15 mins), a medium loop for adults (about an hour), and a long loop for seasoned hikers (five hours).

If you start early, you're likely to encounter duikers, civets, antelopes, squirrels, and monitor lizards searching for their morning meal. Even if you miss them, you’ll enjoy learning about the various medicinal trees along the path and their local uses. At the hike's conclusion, you might catch sight of spur-winged lapwings or Senegal thick-knee birds soaring over the nearby lake.

Planning tip: IITA is a 20-minute drive from the new Obafemi Awolowo train station in Moniya. All hikes are guided by staff and require pre-booking at least a week ahead.

3. Ekki Forest Adventure

Best hike for birdwatching2.4 miles (4km) round trip, 1.5 hours, easy

As you step into the Lekki Urban Forest Animal Sanctuary Initiative (LUFASI) park, the first things you'll notice are the towering coconut, neem, and peach trees. This 20-hectare farm-forest and recreational area promotes itself as a ‘natural wellness center,’ focusing on habitat preservation and regeneration. Hikers meander along sandy, leaf-strewn trails, passing butterfly and fern gardens, anthills, and serene duck ponds.

During your hike, guides will share insights into various conservation projects within the park, aimed at protecting species like pangolins and hooded vultures. A Shirin Yoku (forest bathing) platform, surrounded by impressive Ekki (Red Ironwood) trees that lend their name to the trail, is a favored spot for hikers to pause and soak in the surroundings. Boardwalks spanning the park’s two artificial lakes provide excellent vantage points for spotting birds, including the blue-breasted kingfisher, African harrier hawk, and little bee-eater.

Planning tip: LUFASI features a children’s play area and restaurants offering local delicacies like palm wine, pepper soup, and jollof rice. The park is about a 40-minute drive from Lekki Conservation Center and an hour from the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Modern Art at Pan-Atlantic University. All locations are situated along the Lekki-Epe Highway, making them accessible for a day trip.

4. Ikogosi Springs Hike

Best for nature walks1.2 miles (2km) round trip, 1.5 hours, easy

Nestled within a vast expanse of untouched lowland forest, Ikogosi-Ekiti is just an hour's drive from Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti state. The route winds through lush vegetation and hills, though the paved road does have some potholes and uneven patches. However, the picturesque setting of the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort more than compensates for any travel inconveniences.

The hike starts behind the resort’s amphitheater, not far from the west gate. As you follow the narrow trail, carefully stepping over fallen branches and logs, your guide will share the town’s history, detailing its early inhabitants and the mythical tales that led to one of Nigeria’s geological marvels – the confluence of warm and cold springs.

For those up for a longer trek, exit through the south gate onto the Ipole-Erijiyan Road, where an 11km hike along a quiet paved road leads you to the invigorating Arinta waterfalls. You can arrange tours to Ikogosi and other hiking spots, such as Esa and Abanijorin Hills, through Discover Ekiti.

Planning tip: The resort staff will equip you with hiking poles, a small water bottle, insect repellent, and a waist pouch filled with dry snacks.

5. Olumo Rock

Best family-friendly hike2.4 miles (4km) round trip, 2 hours, easy to moderate

Olumo Rock in Abeokuta has captivated visitors for generations, making it one of Nigeria’s top hiking spots, attracting hundreds of guests each day. Hikers start their journey by ascending 121 steps to the Lisabi Garden, where guides share insights about the town's history since its settlement around the rock in the 1830s, all beneath the shade of neem and flamboyant trees.

The trail leads past caves, rock shelters, majestic baobab and iroko trees, and shrines where locals continue to pray. Priests also perform annual sacrifices at the Olumo shrine. At the summit of the 137m-high hill, you’re rewarded with stunning views of Abeokuta’s iconic sites, including the Central Mosque, St. Peter Anglican Cathedral, and the Ogun River.

Just a 20-minute drive from the Olumo complex, on the opposite side of the Abeokuta-Aro Road, lies the lesser-known but equally enchanting Emere Hills. Follow Imala Road, passing the Oke-Efon and Imala Elega communities, then take a bush path that leads you to the hilltop and a large reservoir, perfect for a picnic with a view.

6. Sobi Hill

Best hike for spiritual seekers1.2 miles (2 km) round trip, 1:15 mins, easy

Sobi Hill is a unique destination, catering to both hikers and pilgrims who may spend just a few hours or indulge in multi-day retreats. The hill exudes a tranquil ambiance, with prayers often offered in silence, though you might occasionally encounter a lively group enjoying afro beats with Bluetooth speakers.

While there isn’t a defined trail, a white-painted line at the base of the hill serves as your guide to the summit, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Ilorin awaits. As you ascend the gentle slope, you’ll see various open-air churches and mosques marked by stones, alongside altars, crosses, and Arabic writings.

No matter when you visit, you’re likely to encounter clerics along the way, ready to greet you with prayers. They will gladly accept any small token you wish to offer.

Experience Kwara and Omotosho Travels host regular tours to Sobi Hill and other notable sites in Kwara state.

7. Badagry ‘Slavery Route’

Best easy hike3.1 miles (5km) round trip, 1 hour, easy

The highlight of any sightseeing tour in Badagry is a stroll along the sandy shores of the Gberefu peninsula. Known as ‘the slavery route’, this path takes visitors across the lagoon in dugout canoes (or speedboats), allowing them to retrace the journey of countless enslaved individuals who were forcibly marched to the Atlantic Ocean, crossing ‘the point of no return’ before being shipped to the Americas or Caribbean.

Midway through the trek, guides pause at the infamous Attenuation Well, where they explain how water was mixed with juju (magic) potions to deter enslaved individuals from rebelling. Along the way, you’ll encounter locals traveling to and from markets, farms, and churches, while cattle graze undisturbed by the human activity. Anago Adventures arranges hiking and general tours in Badagry.

8. Shere Hills

Best hike for outdoor adventures4 miles (6.4km) round trip, 3-4 hours, moderate-strenuous

The rugged terrain of Plateau State offers a plethora of hiking and adventure options. Among these, Shere Hills stands out, rising to about 6000ft (1829m) at its peak and serving as a popular hiking destination for many years. Over time, hikers have established more than a dozen different trails that begin in the Lamingo area. Depending on the trail you choose, the scenery may include an abandoned dam (which transforms into a swimming pool during the dry season when water levels drop), clusters of rocky formations, or locals of all ages gathering firewood.

As interest in hiking continues to grow, local residents have formed various groups and clubs, with hardly a weekend passing without a hiking expedition. The Wayfarers of Jos host trips at least once a month.

9. Finima Nature Park

Best hike for conservation 2.4 miles (4 km) round trip, 2 hours, moderate

Finima Nature Park stands out as a success story in conservation within the heavily polluted Niger Delta region. Founded by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in 2009, this nature reserve spans 1000 hectares, including a 300-hectare buffer zone on Bonny Island. While the park's hippo population is now thought to be extinct, it remains home to a vibrant array of wildlife, including mona monkeys, civets, antelopes, and bushbucks.

As you begin your visit, you’ll be greeted by curlews – the emblem of Bonny Island – and led to a welcome area where staff provide a brief introduction to the park and its community. The first highlight of your hike is a shed that houses the nearly complete skeleton of a sperm whale, retrieved from the shores of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

After your hike, park rangers invite you to enjoy a boat ride across the freshwater lake, where you can experience a different kind of tranquility accompanied by birdsong. Additionally, whether before or after your hike, don't miss the tire playground—one of the park's popular features, often bustling with families on weekends and public holidays.

Planning tip: Bonny Atlas serves as the comprehensive guide to everything related to Bonny.