Entoto Hills

Entoto rises to around 3,200 metres directly north of Addis Ababa, and the capital began here: Menelik II established his settlement on the ridge in 1886 before the shortage of firewood and the cold pushed the court down to the warmer plain below, where Addis Ababa proper grew. What remains on the hill is Menelik's palace, the Entoto Maryam church with a small museum of imperial regalia, and the eucalyptus plantations introduced to solve the fuel problem, which now cover the slopes. The ridge is where Ethiopian distance runners train at altitude, and groups pass constantly on the tracks. A large recreational park opened on the hill in 2021. The view over the whole city is the other reason people come up.

What you actually see

• The city panorama - Addis Ababa spread out below the ridge.
• Entoto Maryam church - Menelik's church and its regalia museum.
• Eucalyptus forest - the plantations that solved the fuel shortage.
• Runners training - athletes on the tracks at 3,200 metres.

When to go

Year round; mornings are clearest before the city haze builds, and are also when the runners are out. The hill is noticeably colder than the city and can be wet from June to September.

Honest expectations

At 3,200 metres the altitude is felt by newcomers. The church museum keeps irregular hours. Women collecting firewood carry very heavy loads on these slopes, which is a hard thing to watch. The new park is developed and charges for its facilities.

Nearby

Addis Ababa lies below; the Ethnological Museum is on the way up.