Timeless, enigmatic and wild, Ethiopia captures the imagination of travelers across all eras. If there is one place where trekking takes on its full meaning, it is the homeland of Lucy. From the Simien Mountains to the city of Gondar, from the monastic islands of Lake Tana to the unique gathering of churches and underground galleries at Lalibela, passing through the Great Rift Valley… True to its tradition, Ethiopia combines ecotourism, hiking pleasures and cultural encounters.

Northern Ethiopia

Declared a national park in 1959, the Simien Mountains are historically associated with travel and adventure. This mountain massif, alternating between cliffs, alpine meadows, moorlands and jagged gorges, reveals "one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world," according to UNESCO. Arriving at Ras Dashen, Ethiopia's highest peak, climbers will feel like masters of the universe. Biology enthusiasts will delight in spotting the Gelada baboon, the bearded vulture and the Abyssinian ibex, found nowhere else on Earth.

Just a few kilometers from the Simien Mountains park, Gondar, the former capital of the Abyssinian kingdom, is well worth a visit. When Fasiledas took the helm of the kingdom, he had castles built—masterpieces of architecture and military defense—to protect against Ottoman invaders. Discover the Palace of Fasilidas, the royal baths, and Selassié Church, Ethiopia's finest Christian edifice with its ceiling adorned with smiling angel faces.

Near Bahir Dar, the Tiss Abay waterfalls, otherwise known as the Blue Nile Falls, are a favorite trekking destination. The path to reach them passes by a 17th-century Portuguese bridge and descends into a fertile valley covered with cereal and coffee plantations. Standing 45 meters high and 400 meters wide, the Blue Nile Falls form a sparkling curtain of water where monkeys and birds love to play. Back at the village, you can visit a coffee farm.

For an unforgettable trekking experience in northern Ethiopia, do not miss Lake Tana. Its surface area of 3,630 km² makes it Ethiopia's largest lake. You will enjoy the boat ride; tankwas are lightweight vessels crafted from giant papyrus. Fishing, bird watching, hiking on the monastic islands… the choices are plentiful!

South of Lake Tana, the verdant town of Gojam, capital of the Amhara region, is undoubtedly a paradise for walkers. It is renowned for the production of teff. A peaceful walk to the villages is worthwhile to learn how teff is cultivated, harvested and cooked in Ethiopia. The more athletic will venture into the highland forests and climb Mount Choke, one of the highest peaks in Gojam at 4,100 meters.

Lalibela, the Black Jerusalem, is a must-see on Ethiopia trekking circuits. With its ancient churches carved into red rock and its succession of underground galleries, this sacred site is worth discovering. Access to Lalibela requires an arduous mountain journey where climbs and descents alternate through deeply indented terrain. Perched above 2,600 meters, the devout town features cylindrical-shaped churches whose names alone inspire humility and reverence: "the House of Mary", "the House of the Savior of the World", "the House of the Virgins", or, further south, "the House of Gabriel-Raphael"… To construct these temples, blocks of rock were excavated, then finely sculpted to fashion doors, openings and columns… The site testifies to the importance of medieval heritage transmitted by Ethiopian Christianity.

Finally, trekking in northern Ethiopia is incomplete without including the utopian village of Awra Amba, a community known for its vision of egalitarian and equitable development regardless of religious differences. On the agenda: walks through teff plantations, visits to schools, weaving centers and dwellings.

Addis Ababa, a Capital in Full Development

Give yourself half a day to tour Ethiopia's capital. An industrial and commercial metropolis, Addis Ababa is also Africa's highest city. A trek in the Entoto Mountains is a must if you want to escape to nature and breathe fresh air. An unobstructed view over the entire city will reward our climbers once they reach its 3,000-meter summit.

Addis Ababa boasts three noteworthy monuments: the Palace of Menelik II, the capital's oldest building, which houses the remains of royal family members; the National Museum, where you must discover the fossil of the famous Lucy, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, whose brilliant baroque façade draws admiration. Do not leave without visiting the open-air Merkato bazaar, where everything is sold at prices suited to all budgets.

Southern Ethiopia

The trek through Ethiopia's Far South opens the door to another world. Cars yield to animals, trousers to loincloths, and phones to spears. Crossing the Great Rift Valley, tourists will be delighted to see a spectacular geological ensemble: faults, jagged canyons, gorges, rock debris…

Along the way, a diversity of tribal groups take refuge in mountain towns, claiming the right to maintain a simple lifestyle in harmony with nature. During your trek, you will encounter the Konso, known for their terraced plantations, the Dorzé peoples, once formidable warriors who have taken up peasant life, as well as the Mursi, whose women with lip plates have made headlines across the globe.

Through your tribal encounters, green tourism will be inseparable from adventure given the large number of national parks in southern Ethiopia. From the Amora Gebel Park and Lakes Abiata and Shalla—prime habitat for flamingos—to Mago National Park—where ungulates such as elephants and giraffes star, living alongside crocodiles, fish and 150 bird species—Ethiopia's wildlife sanctuaries are authorities in the field of trekking and hiking.