![A hiker above the clouds descending from the summit of Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/4i0Zzj8qVnDS9IjGpCQeIM/aa0b200e619b7b0e5fc3e4c9a8e1d59e/A_hiker_above_the_clouds_descending_from_the_summit_of_Mount_Meru__Arusha_National_Park__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=1200&h=1200)
How hard is it to climb Mt Meru?
Mt Meru is a challenging three- or four-day high-altitude trek that's suitable only for those with good hiking fitness. You also need to be comfortable with narrow ridge paths, and able to deal with some altitude-related discomfort. Here's more detail ...
Basic facts
Duration: 3 or 4 days Distance: About 43 km (27 miles) Start elevation: 1,500 m (4,921 ft) Summit elevation: 4,562 m (14,967 ft) Altitude gain: 3,062 m (10,046 ft)
![Tiny trekkers on Mount Meru above the clouds, Arusha National Park, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/6VJfSgTF8i1b8T6nsQZqzR/90ba6b3ff5f8b49767c0e7cf81ef2052/Tiny_trekkers_on_Mount_Meru_above_the_clouds__Arusha_National_Park__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
You need good hiking fitness
Each day on a Mt Meru climb is challenging in different ways, but the challenge awaiting you on summit day is BIG.
Day 1: Hike to Miriakamba Hut
Day 2: Hike to Saddle Hut (4 km)
![Hikers against the background of Little Meru , Arusha National Park, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/70ZHUUjeos9VoSLJaDQddT/0049b853ccd11692a1c21370b9222890/Hikers_against_the_background_of_Little_Meru___Arusha_National_Park__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Day 3: Summit day (20 km)
![Golden sunrise above the clouds at Mount Meru, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/6v6lYLvBF16GNPgXFplQVR/d70eb961ad197e94ce886f92a4dd250e/Golden_sunrise_above_the_clouds_at_Mount_Meru__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Summit day on Meru involves walking in the dark, dealing with the fatigue that accompanies very high altitude, and hiking for 12 to 15 hours.
Day 4: Descend to Momella Gate
![A fresh water river against a mountain background, Mount Meru, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/2LS7O0xjlHenHfPd1sNwxe/c0b743247837f12e123d75e588308430/A_fresh_water_river_against_a_mountain_background__Mount_Meru__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
You need a head for heights
You might wish to reconsider climbing Mt Meru if narrow contour paths and ridges make you nervous.
![A hiker against a foggy mountain background at Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/WETDBmOAexnF1mJiDxsld/05c3aec7abde44ef5f1e2dca90616db0/A_hiker_against_a_foggy_mountain_background_at_Mount_Meru__Arusha_National_Park__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
![Ascending dirt trail or footpath Mt Meru near Arusha in Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/7pdOfNLYbNDi98PD0yw5Vy/ae1bf75a1fbe52902b78e39ef6303239/Ascending_dirt_trail_or_footpath_Mt_Meru_near_Arusha_in_Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=663)
![Misty early morning in forest on Mount Meru.](https://images.followalice.com/58Y06Ce6ObfnQswIhT3pwG/70239681626a8446ef00c740fa6d7f5a/Misty_early_morning_in_forest_on_Mount_Meru..jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
![Hikers going down from the summit of Mt Meru partly covered by clouds](https://images.followalice.com/73VvuBJUwIex8xVugSz6sT/ad96231d90f36d352b6435d19d57adf3/Hikers_going_down4__from_the_summit_of_Mount_Meru_partly_covered_by_clouds.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
![Rock formations and footpath against a foggy background at Mount Meru, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/573kImnIHeCjud0YrU8S0R/99cb9d9233bbae8ff68a7af001e00222/Rock_formations_and_footpath_against_a_foggy_background_at_Mount_Meru__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
![Sunrise above clouds at Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, Tanzania travel nature silhouette hike hiking trek trekking](https://images.followalice.com/5hdjR8z42rd4JQVR7Ue1LL/c5bea4e02fd35cb087799ba8f03b8ed2/Sunrise_above_clouds_at_Mount_Meru__Arusha_National_Park__Tanzania_travel_nature_silhouette_hike_hiking_trek_trekking.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Don't underestimate the altitude
You should expect your breathing to be more laboured on summit day given the high altitude.
![A group of hikers above the clouds descending from the summit of Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, Tanzania](https://images.followalice.com/3bJUPRp8wgzbpqjxfZBajC/181d1f1410adecf47514af7fc22efebb/A_group_of_hikers_above_the_clouds_descending_from_the_summit_of_Mount_Meru__Arusha_National_Park__Tanzania.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
![Mt Meru and ash cone at sunrise. Tanzania. Africa. Rhino Point.](https://images.followalice.com/2VcIGFxwceN2UWej732GIg/a3a56672972a8cef59554f2b3b0039f4/Mt_Meru_and_ash_cone_at_sunrise._Tanzania._Africa._Rhino_Point..jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)