A masterpiece of nature's handiwork by way of an extensive gorge and spectacular cliffs, Hell's Gate packs a magnetic but yet a fatal attraction.
Campers, undoubtedly experience the sheer mysticism of mother nature's mystic themes pervading the geomorphological art that is Hell’s Gate Park in Naivasha.
It is a park that has been the source of bittersweet experiences for tourists.
“I always experience fame in this small park that harbours geological mysteries. Here, I have interacted with dignitaries and the adventurous kind who are struck with awe every time they realise how historic this site is,” one of the longest-serving guides at the park told The Standard last year.
Famous movies and musical films inspired by the volcanic plugs, including Fishers Tower and Fisher’s Buttress, must have a hand in this phenomenal charm that lures tourists to Hell’s Gate.
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From the Devil’s Mouth, through to Devil’s Shower and Devil’s Bedroom, these names just evoke awe for adventure lovers.
To complete epic journey through the gorge, one has to dedicate two hours of trekking, climbing cliffs, tactfully negotiating extremely slippery corners, marvelling at the humongous cliffs and even listening to eerie echoes once in a while.
Hollywood movies
The mystic features that inspired Hollywood movies, including King Solomon’s Mines, Cradle of Mankind, Shadows of the Moon and Tomb Raider, unravel just as one gets into the gorge.
Although classified among the smallest parks in the country, covering 68 square kilometres, Hell's Gate has hosted several movie stars, including Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft and former United National Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon among many global figures. Walking through the gorge, especially past a spot christened Devil’s Mouth, is often ecstatic and mystic too, a journey that takes one to the Devil’s Bedroom and back.
The macabrely witty way of naming spots is perhaps what also drives the curiosity. One rarely feels the clock ticking.
On the gorge, water oozes from hot springs christened Devil’s Shower. The end of the tunnel is christened Devil’s Bedroom because no matter how rainy it gets, the spot never gets wet.
Devil’s kitchen lives to its name, as it has bones of animals often swept by flash floods.
“This place is always dry. Even when it rains, no water seeps through and that is where the Maasai community thought it was the Devil’s bedroom,” Sammy ole Kodieng, one of the guides, says.
