Theemwe Route is a hiking trail in Meru County. It is among the most gentle routes, making it easy to climb Mt. Kenya. The route starts in Chuguu, Murungurune. At the forest edge, about 100 metres from the tarmac road, is the first campsite where you can pitch camp for the night. The camp has a viewpoint exposing Mt. Kenya peaks. Be assured of great photos if done in the morning when the sky is clear and there is no mist in the valleys.

The campsite is 5 kilometres into the forest after a mild ascent. The campsite is found in a natural crater-like basin surrounded by thick forest trees. Two rivers converge at the east end of the crater to form the river Kaburia, which then drains to the river Mutonga. Mineral-water springs are found at the bottom of the crater, oozing directly from volcanic rocks. Livestock uses one mineral spring, while human beings use the other springs for drinking and cooking traditional foods.

Konguu-ka-Theemwe

At one end of the crater, there is a natural pot-like rock that looks like a Meru traditional beer brewing pot called Kithiri. Locally known as Konguu-ka-Theemwe, literally translated into English as the pot of Theemwe salty springs,. Due to the continuous weathering process over the years, this pot-like rock has been shaped naturally. This pot-like rock (Konguu-ka-Theemwe) has a deep pit filled with salty water, which is very cold and feels like it is refrigerated.

This place has been held as a shrine. In the olden days, it was mythically believed that if you could keep your hand in the hole of the pot like a rock, whatever you picked from the bottom would follow you as a blessing. For example, if one picked a substance similar to cow dung, they would be blessed with many cows, while if one picked a substance looking like a goat or sheep dung, they would be great goat and sheep owners. A few metres from the pot-like rock, there is a giant fossilised footprint, which is termed by locals to have belonged to “God,” who created Mt. Kenya.

It has bathrooms, toilets, and piped water. While at this camp, you can see a far-off Makobo waterfall if it’s not misty. As you ascend further, you leave the forest zone to reach the bamboo belt. A big natural bald-like clearing area called “Baringo” comes into insight. It has short vegetation with a variety of different flowers.

The night will be spent at Iraru Camp, at the base of Ithangune Hill. The Giant Billiard Table Mountains, commonly known as “Kiringo” in the Meru language, are just 2km away. Soon after crossing the river Mutonga, you bushwack towards Mugi Hill. Leave the Mugi hill to the left, heading to Ketch Tarn. The gradient from this point to Lake Ellis is relatively low. You can camp here and go fishing at the lake, which has a rainbow and brown trout fishery. This is the furthest point that strong four-wheel vehicles can reach.

From Lake Ellis, you proceed to Lake Michaelson or Minto’s campsite at the Halls Tarn. You can access the point Lenana by either ascending directly or going through the Tooth to Austrian Hut. Once you reach the summit, you will have all the descent routes at your disposal. You can opt to use the Naromoru route, Burgureti route, Sirimon route, Timau track, Theemwe route, Chogoria route, Irangi route, Kamweti route, Chehe route, and Nairobi route.