GUNUNG · Ethiopia

Mount Abuna Yosef

Abuna Yosef / Abune Yosef

Information

Elevation: 4.260 m
Country: Ethiopia (ET)
Location / Range: Massif Lasta, Dataran Tinggi Ethiopia (dekat Lalibela)
Mountain type: Puncak pegunungan basaltik (Dataran Tinggi Ethiopia)
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 12.1408, 39.1817
Difficulty: Sedang–berat; trek ketinggian multi-hari, non-teknis
Best Season: Oktober–Maret (musim kering pasca-hujan)
Permits & Rules: Trek berbasis komunitas (community trek) dari Lalibela; pemandu & logistik lewat operator/komunitas lokal
Hazards: Ketinggian >4.000 m (risiko AMS), cuaca dingin & angin di eskarpmen, medan terpencil

Description

Abuna Yosef (also Abune Yosef), 4,260 m, is a prominent peak in the Lasta massif of the Ethiopian Highlands, in the Semien Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region—the 6th-highest mountain in Ethiopia and 19th in Africa. It sits close to the historic town of Lalibela, making it a base for multi-day community-based treks that combine dramatic escarpments, afro-alpine moorland, and remote caves and churches. The area is ecologically important as habitat for the endangered Ethiopian wolf and troops of gelada (bleeding-heart baboons), and offers sweeping views over the Lasta valleys. The climb is non-technical but demanding because of the altitude and remoteness.

Gallery

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Routes

Day hike ke escarpment (Meket / Ad Medhane Alem)

Sedang

1 hari (±2,5–4 jam ke pos)

A day route along the plateau to a community guesthouse on the escarpment edge (~3,500 m) facing the ridge linking Abune Yoseph. Good for valley views, birdwatching, and acclimatisation before the summit.

Source

Summit push Abune Yosef (Rim Gedel)

Berat (scramble batu pendek di puncak)

1 hari (±8 jam pulang-pergi)

The push to the highest points of the Lasta massif such as Rim Gedel (~4,284 m), with a short rocky scramble at the end. The afro-alpine zone above 3,500 m is the best place to spot Ethiopian wolves at dawn.

Source

Trek Komunitas Lalibela – Puncak Abune Yosef (TESFA)

Sedang–berat (trek ketinggian, non-teknis)

3–5 hari

The classic multi-day trek from Lalibela with donkeys carrying gear up to the Abune Yosef summit at ~4,260 m. It passes villages, subsistence farmland, and afro-alpine moorland home to Ethiopian wolves and gelada; nights are spent in community tukuls. The main challenge is the altitude above 4,000 m.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Abuna Yosef (4,260 m) is usually done as a multi-day community-based trek from Lalibela—often via the TESFA network—with gear carried by donkeys and nights in village-run tukuls (huts) on the escarpment edge. The route crosses subsistence farmland, plateau, and afro-alpine moorland above 3,500 m that is habitat for the endangered Ethiopian wolf and troops of gelada. Hikers describe cold, thin high-altitude air, a short rocky scramble near the top, sweeping Lasta valley views, and cultural encounters such as coffee ceremonies with locals.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.