Crater Lake · Oromia
Wenchi Crater Lake
About 155 kilometres west of Addis Ababa by road, halfway between Ambo and Woliso, the Wenchi caldera cradles a lake at around 2,600 metres — reached on foot or on horseback, and crossed by boat to the island monastery of Cherkos.
Why We Go
A lake inside an extinct volcano, with an island monastery, hot springs and waterfalls.
Wenchi is one of the most beautiful landscapes within reach of the capital: a green volcanic bowl with a lake at its heart, small islands, and valleys running down to hot springs and falls. Tradition holds that the monastery of Cherkos, on one of the islands, was founded in the thirteenth century by Saint Tekle Haymanot and rebuilt in the fifteenth under Emperor Zara Yaqob.
The way down is part of the visit. Local horsemen and guides lead the path from the rim to the shore, where small boats cross to the monastery. Beyond the lake, the walk continues down through the caldera to the hot springs — an easy day for most walkers, with horses for anyone who prefers to ride.
Wenchi works as a long day trip from Addis Ababa, but we prefer an overnight nearby so the crater can be seen in the morning light, before the day visitors arrive.
Highlights
- 01The descent into the crater on foot or on horseback with local guides
- 02A boat to Cherkos, the island monastery traditionally founded by Tekle Haymanot
- 03Hot springs and waterfalls in the valley below the lake
- 04Farmland and forest on the crater walls, with views from the rim
Best combined with a stay of 1 – 2 days, travelling October – May.
Journeys Including Wenchi Crater Lake
Routes that pass through here
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Build Wenchi Crater Lake into your journey
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Our designers travel these routes themselves. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or which lodge has the better view — you will get a straight answer.
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