Not to be confused with the Ngong Hills, the Ngong Forest Sanctuary is another managed forest in the west end of the city, in Jamhuri, about 6 km from the CBD. It’s one of the few designated forests in the world located within city limits, and it’s a great place to explore the natural flora of Kenya. The best running options in the forest are the 5 km perimeter loop and the trail heading east from the Dagoretti Police Station. The terrain consists of narrow dirt paths running along seasonal rivers and wetlands. After rain, there can be some mud, but these lush woods are a cool place to outrun the heat.
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Features:
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Essentials
- 5.2 km (3.2 miles) loop, with other options
- 53m (173 feet)
- Ngong Road
- Pathway Bus Stop
Current Weather & Forecast
Nairobi, KE
9:51 am,
Jun 3, 2026
overcast clouds
19°C
L: 19°
H: 19°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Tomorrow
12:00 am
18° / 24°°C
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17 mph
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Friday
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17° / 26°°C
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9 mph
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11 mph
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17 mph
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Today
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19° / 19°°C
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Other Routes in Nairobi, Kenya
Just 3 km from Nairobi’s Central Business District, the Nairobi Arboretum is a great central running location, with well-maintained trails and lots of opportunities for viewing native flora and fauna.
Two popular city parks in the center of Nairobi, Uhuru and Central Parks can be combined for loops up to 3.6 km. Interior paths make for multiple length options and great views of the city skyline. Can combine w/Arboretum run.
The beloved running spot for locals, this escape just north of the city is full of smooth and rolling dirt forest roads. The Kenyan Forest Service, which maintains the park, has mapped out 5, 10, and 15 km routes.
Get your hill training in at the Ngong Hills Nature Reserve, where runners can jog across the Great Rift on a dirt road with great views for up to 22 km out and back. It's not technical but there are some steep sections.
This affluent area of north Nairobi features kilometers of nice sidewalks past gardens and impressive homes, but runners can also escape to the villages and coffee fields on the outskirts of the neighborhood.
Another fantastic neighborhood for running in Nairobi, the Karen/Langata area roads with good sidewalks, some nice homes, and some quieter more rural roads as well. The 5 km Oloolua Nature Trail in the area is great for a trail run.
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