Margherita Peak (Mount Stanley) Facts, Height, Hike & Map
Margherita Peak is the highest summit on Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori Mountains of East Africa, standing at 5,109 meters (16,762 feet). It is located on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, marking the highest point in Uganda and the third-highest in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
Margherita mountain, at 5,109 meters, is the pinnacle of Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori Mountains and ranks as the third-highest mountain in Africa. The pinnacle of the high-altitude Rwenzori circuit commences in the verdant woodlands at the base, subsequently rising above the sky to reach Margherita’s glacial apex.
Margherita Peak, at a glance
The route ascends over Africa’s greatest ice sheet, passing the Margherita Glacier, culminating in a last rock climb to the summit of Mount Stanley, the third-highest mountain in Africa, located in the Rwenzori Mountains. Margherita Peak is the tallest summit in Uganda.
The peak was first ascended in 1906 by the Duke of Abruzzi, J. Petigax, C. Ollier, and J. Brocherel.
The path frequently utilised by guides, through Elena Hut, resembles the one traversed by pioneers in the past. The glaciers in the Rwenzoris are swiftly receding due to significant ice melting over the past decade caused by global warming—visit now before it is too late.
Seven Days to Margherita Peak
A “Seven Days to Margherita Peak” trek is a 7-day expedition in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda to summit Margherita Peak (5,109m) via the central circuit, which is a popular but technical mountaineering adventure requiring specialized gear like crampons, ice axes, and ropes due to steep ice and changing conditions. The itinerary involves hiking through multiple vegetation zones, from rainforest to alpine, and includes a significant ascent of Mount Stanley, a technical ice climb on the peak itself.
Climbing Margherita Peak
Climbing Margherita Peak, the 5,109-meter summit of Mount Stanley in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, is a challenging, technical, multi-day trek requiring specialized gear like crampons and ropes, skilled guides, and permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The ascent involves hiking through diverse ecosystems, with routes ranging from 7 to 12 days, and a strenuous summit day that begins very early to avoid afternoon snowstorms and navigate a steepening glacier due to global warming.
4 Peaks Rwenzori Mountains Hike
Take on the 4 peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains over 10 days: Mount Baker (4,842m), Margherita Peak (5,109m), Mount Speke (4,890m), and Weismann’s Peak (4,620m). A “4 Peaks Rwenzori Mountains Hike” typically refers to a strenuous, multi-day trekking expedition to reach the summits of four of the Rwenzori Mountains’ peaks, which include Margherita Peak (on Mt. Stanley), Mount Speke, Mount Baker, and Weismann’s Peak. These treks are challenging, require technical climbing.
Preparing for the Margherita Peak summit climb
Reaching Margherita Peak entails traversing frigid passages, rocky outcrops, and steep inclines with gradients of up to 60%. It is typically regarded as more difficult than Kilimanjaro; therefore, maintaining good physical shape and have some experience in high-altitude mountaineering is advisable.
The ascent to Margherita Peak has recently been designated as a technical climb, applicable just to the last day of the summit attempt.
An expert mountaineering crew will accompany you, and all equipment will be supplied, save for crampons, which you must carry yourself.
For additional details regarding necessary items, preparation methods, and selecting the appropriate Rwenzori hike, consult our comprehensive guide to the Rwenzori Mountains.
