Top 3 Hiking Trails in Sierra Leone

Beaches might be the main attraction for wannabe visitors to Sierra Leone. But the West African country has so much more to offer — nature, mountains and hiking trails are other great reasons to visit.

Hiking is an up-and-coming activity in Sierra Leone, with new trails around the country being blazed and mapped every year. It’s a great way to leave the hustle and bustle of Freetown behind and discover nature just steps away from the capital, or to immerse yourself in nature for a few days, learning about Sierra Leone’s culture and biodiversity.

Here are three of the best hiking trails in Sierra Leone — two of them are an easy escape from Freetown, the third a real adventure:

Picket Hill

An adventurous day trip from Freetown, Picket Hill is in the Western Area Peninsula Forest, about one hour from the capital. There are two routes to the summit, both of them through rainforest until the trees become sparse and sprawling views of the surrounding hills and even Freetown and Atlantic Ocean on clear days.

Leicester Peak

Most people drive up Leicester Peak to see the sunset or admire the panoramic views over Freetown, but it’s also possible to walk up. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the top, following narrow mountain roads and trails. .

Tiwai Heritage Trail

A wonderful way to discover the diverse ecosystem of Tiwai Island, this off-the-beaten-path trail stretches 31 miles (50 km) as it meanders through eight island communities living in Tiwai Islands. Normally it takes between four and five days to cover the distance — including a few water crossings by dugout canoe — while staying in rainforest camps or in Mende villages.

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