Lac Abbe

An absolutely extraordinary area: a huge, largely desolate plain on the Ethiopian border with a flamingo-lined lake, hot, bubbling springs and countless peculiar towers/chimneys of limestone which emit steam eructations. The chimneys are up to 150m high, so immensely dramatic (and some are climbable!). The whole area evokes less-believable sci-fi. Not to be missed.

It is vital to walk here with a guide, as the ground can be treacherous. If you can get here at dawn, the ‘smoking’ chimneys will be at their most thrilling, and the flamingos most abundant on the lake.

You can camp here, and Walkopedia would love to enjoy the late light, stay the night, then catch the early morning glories. Camping at Campement Touristique d’Asbolay – houmed.asboley@hotmail.fr

The heat and lack of water can be extreme, and the area is unvisitable at some times of the year. Always come prepared, protected and with enough water.

Lonely Planet’s Ethiopia and Djibouti has decent basic information (including guides and places to stay).

This page is at an early stage of development. Please help us by recommending your best walks/making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!

See our Djibouti  page for more walks, information and photos.