Where Exactly Is Ras Dashen Mountain?

Ras Dashen, at 4,550 meters, is the highest peak in Ethiopia and ranks among the ten highest mountains in Africa. It is found in Simien Mountains National Park of the North Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region in the northern part of Ethiopia.

Geographic Details

• Location: About 13.24 °N, 38.37 °E
• Mountain Range: Simien Mountains, which belong to the Amhara Region, on the northern side of the country.
• The nearest Town: Debark, which is usually the point of departure of the treks.

Notable Features

• UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its monumental scenery and exotic fauna.
• The home to iconic species such as the Gelada baboon and the endemic Walia ibex.
• It is considered a challenging but non-technical trekking route, offering trekkers beautiful views along the way.
• The summit is a huge trekker attraction site and is commonly known as the Roof of Ethiopia, and other mountains in the continent that are of high altitude.
• It is in the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is famous for its dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife.

How to Visit

• Treks begin most often in Debark, where national park permits are obtained.
• The common itineraries last 4 to 7 days and traverse villages such as Sankaber, Geech, and Chenek.
• The best time to climb: October--March (dry season with clear skies).

Its environs are characterized by dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and a wide variety of wildlife, and it is a major geographical and ecological point of interest in the Ethiopian Highlands.