Harmony might be the best word to describe Gheralta. You
breath harmony by just looking at the peaceful landscape surrounded by amazing
sandstone outcrops. Harmony, in the way people loves their land, conserving
soil, nutrients and water in every single action they do. Harmony in the way
people built their houses, using mostly local materials and taking advantage of
soil temperature conditions. Harmony, in the way people live religion.
The wide horizon only broken by reddish sandstone cliffs,
dotted with acacia brought me back to the Southwest of the USA. As majestic as
the Navajo sandstone in the four corners area, this hidden pearl of Ethiopia
has already hosted adventure climbers to conquer some of its beautiful finger
rocks. Stunning sandstone cracks, beautiful sandstone towers rise up over
several hundred meters ... some of them opening a way towards hidden churches.
You can find hundreds if not thousands of unclimbed cracks,
but you can also find beautifully equipped sport climbs. Go to the Korkor
Spires post for more info.
The mountains in Gheralta can only be climbed from limited
locations. You either climb with a rock, or walk some expose trails. You better
do not suffer from vertigo, otherwise better stay behind and stroll among paths
of wheat and teff fields.
Staying at Gheralta
lodge will round up your experience. A great advise from Kaleab, from Run in Africa. Possibly the best lodge in the
country. Silvio, the Italian owner, not only designed the hotels with an
incredible taste on top of a vertex with amazing sunsets, but he also prepares
tasty ethiopian-italian food. The friendly atmosphere of this lodge just
perfectly fit with the harmony of the environment.
Hiking or running in the Gheralta mountains is also
possible. You can either walk along the bottom of the cliffs, from town to
town, impregnating yourself of the wonders of this land. Or exploring the
cliff-churches following some of the hidden trails up the mountain.
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