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Bicycle safari trip in Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the few parks in Kenya where you can explore without a car. It’s special because there are no predators there. A hotspot for geothermal activity, Hell’s Gate is located between two tectonic plates in the Great Rift Valley, outside of Naivasha. This helps explain the name Hell’s Gate. Hell’s Gate has amazing views that feel almost unreal. Park guides meet visitors warmly with phrases like “Welcome to Hell.” Steam rises from the ground, and there are piles of solid lava scattered around.
You can experience the beautiful variety of views in Hell’s Gate National Park, where animals live peacefully alongside nature.
Opening Hours
Hell’s Gate National Park is open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This means you need to leave the park before it closes, unless you plan to camp there. To avoid extra charges, make sure to check your return date with the bike rental company if you’re hiring a bike to use at Hell’s Gate National Park. Most sellers are helpful for customers who plan to camp in the park.
Biking paths in Hell’s Gate National Park.
Hell’s Gate National Park has two popular bike trails: the Twiga Circuit, which is 9 km long, and the Buffalo Circuit, which is 14 km long. Both paths begin at the Elsa Gate. Each route has unique attractions, and you will likely see animals as you go.
Where to rent bikes at Hell’s Gate National Park.
To get a bike for Hell’s Gate National Park, you have two main options. You can find a bike at the Elsa Gate entrance to Hell’s Gate National Park. Another choice is to rent a bike from the town of Naivasha or your campsite and ride it into the park. Hell’s Gate costs an extra KSH 215 ($1.75 USD) for bikes that come from outside the park. You can only use MPESA cards to make payments.
Bike rental costs can change based on the location, but usually, you shouldn’t pay more than Ksh 800 for a day’s rental. If you negotiate, you could lower your rental costs to Ksh 400 to Ksh 500 per day. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for a two-day bike hire if you plan to camp in Hell’s Gate.
What safety measures should you take when biking in Hell’s Gate National Park?
Biking in Hell’s Gate National Park is completely safe since there are no dangerous animals around. You will be able to see giraffes, antelopes, bulls, zebras, and gazelles. Hell’s Gate doesn’t have natural enemies, but you might still see wild animals, even if they’re distant. Remember that you are in someone else’s home, so be respectful of their room and belongings.
Things to see in Hell’s Gate National Park include: 1. **Gorges**: Explore the stunning gorges, which are narrow canyons formed by water erosion. 2. **Hot Springs**: Check out the natural hot springs, where you can enjoy warm water. 3. **Wildlife**: Look for animals like zebras, buffaloes, and various birds in their natural habitat. 4. **Scenic Views**: Enjoy
The first part of the two main trails at Hell’s Gate National Park goes down a bit, so get ready for the uphill climb at the end. If this makes you nervous, don’t worry—it’s perfectly fine to walk your bike sometimes!
Fischer’s Tower
Fischer’s Tower is a top draw for anyone visiting Hell’s Gate. Millions of years ago, hot liquid rock came out of a crack in the ground to build this large structure. The final tower looks great; it welcomes visitors to Hell’s Gate and stands tall above the fields. In Maasai stories, there is a tale about a young woman from the area who was turned into a stone tower because she returned home before her wedding.
Central Tower
The Central Tower, also known as Embata, is much taller than its cousin, Fishers Tower, and both were created using the same method. The Central Tower is located deep in the park, but you can see it from the Ol Njorowa Gorge entrance as it stands tall above the grassland.
The Obsidian Caves
These shiny caves were formed when hot lava quickly hardened due to running water. The rocks come in different colors, like sandy orange and forest green, because they have a lot of iron and magnesium in them. This is a nice spot to relax while you are entering or leaving the park, even if there isn’t much to see.
Ol Njorowa
At the entrance of Ol Njorowa, there are many guides available for hire. You can choose from three different paths: a short one that takes about 30 minutes, a middle one that lasts around 1 hour, and a long one that takes about 2 hours. You can pay the $14 guide fee at the site. You can’t ride bikes in the canyon, but there is a lot of space to park your bike at the entrance before you start walking.
Hobley Volcano Trail
Visitors can go up to the rim and see into the volcanic crater, where vents shoot steam kilometres below the surface, to see the remains of a once-active volcano. It’s better to walk the 0.5km to the top of Hobley’s Volcano Trail instead of biking up the road to the volcano’s rim. You can walk around the edge, making it a great spot for a picnic!
Bicycle adventure tour in Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Kitchen
This line of steam vents coming from bright orange rock looks like something out of a prehistoric movie. This spot at the far west side of Hell’s Gate National Park can be reached by bicycle, but I recommend it only for very skilled riders. The road is very bumpy and the hill is quite steep. To get to this area, you need to pass through the Olkaria Geothermal Plant. It’s fine, but don’t be surprised if the beautiful wild landscape suddenly changes to a large geothermal plant.
Olkaria Geothermal Spa
After riding through Hell’s Gate National Park, this geothermal spa is the right place to unwind. The Olkaria Geothermal Spa has many minerals and is great for skincare. It has the same milky-blue water as Iceland’s well-known Blue Lagoon. Before cycling back to the park’s gate, stop by for a soak to help with your bones. The entrance fees for Olkaria Geothermal Spa in 2024 are: Citizens: KSH 100 for children, KSH 400 for adults Adults pay KSH 1000, and children pay KSH 500. For non-residents, adults cost $18 and children cost $8.50. The Olkaria Geothermal Spa closes at 6 PM, one hour before the park closes. Please pay attention.
