A full-colour, detailed A-3 map is for sale from entrances to the forest. All trails and forest features are indicated, including toilets and dogs off-leash areas (in pink on the map). Highlighted numbers on the map identify track junction markers on the ground.
All main junctions on Karura trails are all numbered thanks to a generous CSR donation from Pelican Signs Ltd. The junction numbers are keyed to the Karura Forest Map (above) to help visitors get around. For running and walking enthusiasts, there are colour-coded trails: 5 km, yellow; 10 km, blue; and 15 km, green. There are also important reminders of good forest etiquette, such as Do Not Litter and Dogs on Leash (see map below — larger versions will be posted at gates). The northern bike track is also shown with red arrows (see map above).
With the building of a bridge across the Karura River beyond Junction 12a, and from Junction 12 to the bridge, bikers can now access the northern bike trail directly from KFEET. The other direct access to the trail is from the ‘Sharks Gate’ (Gate-C) entrance off Kiambu Road. The gate, which is a point of payment for entry fees, is open seven days a week, 06:00 to 18:00 (gate will be locked at 19:00 sharp). There is parking inside the gate and a toilet.
Note that in the northern portion of Karura, two main tracks — Muhugu Trail as well as north of and including half of Wangari Maathai Track — are currently designated Dogs Off-Leash. The Off-Leash areas are clearly marked on the map.
The popular stretch of Wangari Maathai Track between Gate-C (a.k.a. ‘Sharks’) on Kiambu Road and junction 30 is now a dogs-ON-leash zone. Dog owners are required to use the Shady Path spur that now extends from the parking area all the way to to junction 30 (see red dashed line on map below).
South of Wangari Maathai Track (except on the Shady Path) dogs must be on-leash. And Tara Path in the far north is Dogs On-Leash. If you walk your dog on the Off-Leash trails, please keep him or her under Voice Command Control at all times, and don’t allow any chasing of people, bikes or wildlife. Check out the Dog Guidelines.
In July 2013, FKF in cooperation with the Kenya Forest Service commissioned additional security fencing to separate the forest proper from the 50 ha KFS Headquarters compound.
