Wollo Highlands

Trek through the timeless highlands of Wollo near Ethiopia’s ancient Christian pilgrimage site, Lalibela. 

This three-night walk takes you across a plateau of dry farming and grazing land, returning repeatedly to escarpments offering breathtaking views of the valleys below.

You get a fascinating look into rural life essentially unchanged for centuries.

As well as the rock churches of Lalibela, walks here can be easily combined with visits to the old capital Gondar, and Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile and home to abundant bird life.

This walk is in remote mountains, on which you will have to be self-sufficient unless supported.

Here are Max Duncan’s thoughts on this outstanding trek. THANK YOU MAX!

This three-night walk takes you across a plateau of dry farming and grazing land, returning repeatedly to escarpments offering breathtaking views of the valleys below. Eucalyptus - an imported species - and juniper dominate, but ancient olive and acacia trees also provide welcome shade. The altitude of around 2,500 metres means it’s never hot and even chilly at night.

You get a fascinating look into rural life essentially unchanged for centuries. Children herd sheep, donkeys and cattle as parents stack hay beside round ‘tukul’ houses of packed earth. There is no electricity or machinery, even plastic is rare.

The trek, organized by Tesfa Tours, is part of a scheme providing income for villagers who guide and cater for visitors in simple but clean lodges owned by the community. Each lodge sits right on the edge of the escarpment, so upon arrival travelers can enjoy a spectacular sunset view, freshly-pounded Ethiopian coffee in hand.

Gelada baboons, unique to Ethiopia, clamber in large packs across cliffs. Vultures, augur buzzards and occasionally giant lammergeyers soar above.

This easy walk might disappoint serious climbers, but the flatness and the availability of horses make it perfect for families with older or younger members.

The trek starts near the town of Filakit and ends back at the road some 70 km from Lalibela.

Altogether there are 11 community lodges, the highest around 4,000m, so longer, more challenging walks are possible.

As well as the rock churches of Lalibela, walks here can be easily combined with visits to the old capital Gondar, and Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile and home to abundant bird life.

Wollo is the ancient name of the area, it's no longer an administrative region.

Have a look at TripAdvisor - there are tens of millions of reviews, so you may get good, current views on this walk.

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